A 15-year-old girl from New Richmond may have broken an Ohio state record for the largest blue catfish, with the fish weighing an impressive 101.11 pounds. The girl, Jaylynn Parker, along with her family, used jug lines in a creek off the Ohio River to catch the massive fish. Jug fishing involves using lines suspended from floating jugs to catch fish in lakes or rivers, with lines tied to jugs and weights added to keep the jug in place. Parker and her family went out to check the lines the next day and were surprised by the size of the catch.
When Parker and a family friend went out to check the lines, they first caught a smaller fish, which they threw back. Moving on to the next jug, they found a significantly larger fish waiting. The fish put up a strong fight, wrapped in debris, which made pulling it up challenging. After successfully reeling in the giant fish, they struggled to net it without flipping the boat. Eventually, they managed to bring the fish to shore with the help of others.
The fish, once weighed, tipped the scales at over 100 pounds, potentially breaking the state record for the largest blue catfish. After witnessing the fish swim away after being released back into the water, Parker was ecstatic to see it healthy and alive. Despite the controversy over the method of catching the fish, the Parkers ensured the fish was returned to its home waters to continue breeding.
Jaylynn Parker’s love for fishing and the outdoors stems from her upbringing, with both her parents being avid fishermen. She has always been passionate about fishing and finds it relaxing to spend time outdoors, not knowing what she might catch. Despite some negativity and backlash for the method of catching the record-breaking fish, Parker remains focused on her love for the outdoors and the thrill of fishing.
While the state of Ohio considers all fishing methods under the same category, some fishermen contest that certain methods, like jug fishing, are not true fishing. Regardless, Jaylynn’s parents fully support her outdoor activities, including hunting and hiking, instilling a love for nature and adventure in their daughter. Despite the controversy surrounding the catch, Jaylynn remains unfazed and continues to enjoy her time in the outdoors, pursuing her passion for fishing and exploration.
