Teenager Makes Record-Setting Halibut Catch

A teenager from New Hampshire has turned heads by catching a massive 177-pound halibut that could potentially enter the record books. Jackson Denio, 13, from Hampton, hooked this giant fish during a 20-hour fishing expedition with Al Gauron Deepsea Fishing, as reported by CBS-affiliated WBZ News. The International Fish and Game Association (IFGA) is currently assessing whether Denio’s catch qualifies as a record for anglers under 16.

“Nobody wanted to grab the rod. I insisted on doing it myself,” Denio stated. He noted that the fish started fighting very intensely about thirty seconds into the struggle.

The halibut was quite impressive, measuring three inches taller than Jackson and weighing a staggering 177 pounds.

Captain Jim Walsh, who was present during the catch, expressed his astonishment at the young angler’s determination. “Typically, even seasoned young anglers hand off the rod when they encounter such large fish,” Walsh remarked.

Reflecting on the moment leading up to the catch, Denio shared, “Honestly, around 8:30, I took out the shark stick I brought along. One of my friends, Angelo, told me to drop it all the way down and just see what happened.”

Walsh highlighted the significance of Denio’s accomplishment, saying, “This could be an international record considering both the size and his age. It was truly impressive, and I couldn’t help but tip my hat to him.”

After spending hours cutting the halibut into steaks, Denio admitted he hasn’t tasted his prized catch yet. It seems that young anglers landing epic fish has become quite a trend across the U.S. Last year, a 12-year-old in Idaho caught a 9-foot, 11-inch sturgeon. Additionally, in Oklahoma, Bradley Courtlight, at just 15 years old, landed a 95-pound flathead catfish. However, that record was soon surpassed by 15-year-old Jaylyn Parker, who caught a 101.11-pound blue catfish on the Ohio River.