New Hampshire Teen Catches 177-Pound Halibut
A group of teenagers from New Hampshire recently enjoyed a deep-sea fishing trip where one of them, 13-year-old Jackson Denio, landed a massive 177-pound Atlantic halibut.
Jackson, hailing from Hampton, was fishing approximately 100 miles off the New England coast at Cash Ledge when he made the catch on Monday morning.
“Honestly, I think I cried,” he shared. “I’m not really sure what happened, but I was super excited.” It’s hard to blame him; that kind of catch is sure to get anyone’s adrenaline going.
Denio had set out on Sunday with around 30 others on an overnight charter, organized by Al Gauron’s deep-sea fishing and whale watching. After a successful day catching plenty of Pollock and other smaller fish, Denio expressed a desire to catch a shark. The crew encouraged him to fish deeper.
Not long after he cast his line, Denio felt a strong pull and sensed it was something substantial.
He fought the halibut for about 30 minutes, showcasing remarkable patience and strength. As he pulled the fish to the surface, cheers erupted among fellow passengers, led by the crew’s excitement. One exclaimed, “Jackson, you’re a man’s angel!”
Jim Walsh, the captain of the ship, commented on Denio’s composure during the struggle. “He didn’t let go or let anyone else touch the rod. In the end, the fish started getting tired, and he brought it up,” Walsh said. It’s remarkable to see a kid hold his own against such a big catch.
Afterward, Denio weighed the halibut, capturing numerous photos and videos for his own records. He plans to submit his catch details to the International Gamefish Association for possible recognition under junior records for the Atlantic Halibut.
The association has not yet responded to inquiries, but there appear to be open records for halibut in the junior male categories.
While basking in his newfound fame, Denio expressed a yearning for even bigger adventures in the future. “I want to keep fishing and maybe break more records,” he said, and who could blame him? There’s something thrilling about the chase that keeps you longing for more.
