Ohio Teen Reels in Record-Breaking 101-Pound Blue Catfish
A 15-year-old girl from Cincinnati has caught the biggest fish on record in Ohio, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Jaylynn Parker reeled in a 101-pound, 56-inch blue catfish while fishing with her father and a family friend on a creek near the Ohio River on April 7.
The fish, which Jaylynn nicknamed "Bob the Blue Cat," was weighed and certified as a state record by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. It is the largest fish caught in Ohio since record-keeping began in the 1950s.
Jaylynn, who has been fishing with her father since she was 3 years old, said she wants to inspire young people to know they can achieve what adults do. Her mother, Kristen Parker, expressed her pride in Jaylynn's accomplishment and mentioned her daughter's passion for fishing and desire to start her own YouTube fishing channel.
The blue catfish was caught using a jug line, a method that involves placing a large jug in the water connected to a tied-off line. While the catch has been certified as a state record by Ohio game wardens, the Outdoor Writers of Ohio, a non-governmental organization that tracks Ohio's fish records, is currently deciding whether to confirm the fish as a formal state record in the overall category, which includes catches made using a fishing line and hook.
Some fishermen have complained on the Outdoor Writers of Ohio Facebook page, arguing that Jaylynn's catch should be placed in a separate category specifically for jug line fishing. Despite the controversy, Jaylynn is being interviewed by national networks and publications for her achievement, which her mother believes can help grow the sport of fishing.
After the fish was certified, Jaylynn released "Bob the Blue Cat" back into the water.
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