A fisherman from Northern California is waiting to see if his remarkable catch has broken a world record that has stood for nearly four decades.
A 'Fluke' Catch in the Rain
Brendan Walsh, a 26-year-old angler from Mendocino County, was out with his father on a cold, rainy Tuesday when he decided to make one final stop. The decision proved historic. Walsh hauled in a canary rockfish of staggering size, measuring 2.25 feet (0.68 metres) long.
"It was a fluke," Walsh admitted. "I've never seen anything like it." He explained that the canary rockfish he typically catches are much smaller, averaging around 3lbs (1.4kg). This particular specimen, caught off the coast of Albion roughly 150 miles north of San Francisco, tipped the scales at a massive 10.25 pounds (4.65 kilograms).
Submitting for the Record Books
Recognising the potential significance of his catch, Walsh took immediate steps to have it officially documented. The fish was weighed at a nearby authorised fish market. A scientist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife then visited to verify the catch and sign the necessary paperwork for a state record submission.
The current California state record for canary rockfish is 9lbs, set just last November in the same county. Walsh has also submitted his application to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) in Florida, which maintains the global angling records. The existing world record for the species is a 10lb fish caught in 1986.
Walsh speculated that larger fish may have been caught over the years but never formally submitted for recognition. The IGFA had not responded to a request for comment on the potential new record by last Friday.
From the Deep to the Dinner Plate
After ensuring all measurements and documentation were correctly completed on Tuesday, the record-breaking fish met a fitting end. Walsh's mother, Deirdre Lamb, prepared the rockfish with garlic and butter, serving it for dinner on Wednesday.
The final verdict on the fish's place in history is still pending, but Walsh had a more immediate review. "The rockfish was delicious," he confirmed.
