Florida Angler Lands 17-Pound World Record Snakehead

The fish that just about acquired away become the catch of a lifetime for Fort Lauderdale angler Ryan Alvarez. His 17-pound, 1-ounce bullseye snakehead has simply been licensed as the brand new IGFA all-tackle world document, proving that typically the very best fish come to those that refuse to surrender.

Alvarez had been chasing huge snakeheads in South Florida canals all spring, concentrating on spots the place these invasive giants love to cover. The bullseye snakehead, identified scientifically as Channa marulius, initially comes from South Asia however has made itself at residence within the freshwater canals of northern Broward County.

5 Extra Minutes

Alvarez was working a canal in Pompano Seaside when his day almost went sideways. He’d already misplaced a number of huge fish at this similar spot, together with what he figured was not less than a 10-pounder that broke him off on some dock construction.

“I misplaced one other snakehead of not less than 10 kilos that frayed me on a damaged dock,” Alvarez posted on Fb. “I nearly went residence however saved fishing for 5 extra minutes and caught this absolute slob.”

That call to stay it out for just some extra casts paid off huge time. His Z-Man chatterbait acquired hammered by what would turn into the brand new world document fish. After a brief however intense battle, Alvarez had his trophy.

The large snakehead stretched 37.5 inches and weighed in at 17 kilos, 1 ounce. However right here’s the place Alvarez acquired good about his document try. As a substitute of dashing to the closest grocery retailer scale, he made the 16-mile drive south to IGFA headquarters in Dania Seaside to get his fish formally weighed and licensed.

New File

This new document breaks the earlier mark held by Corey Nowakowski, who had really held seven totally different snakehead world data at one level. Different huge bullseye snakeheads within the 14- to 15-pound vary have been caught in South Florida over the previous decade, however nothing had topped 17 kilos till now.

Snakeheads have turn into a favourite goal for a lot of anglers, particularly those that love topwater motion. These fish are identified for crushing floor baits and placing up a severe battle. The truth that they’re an invasive species means there’s no guilt in preserving them, and Florida laws enable anglers to reap each snakehead they catch.

The timing of this document couldn’t be higher for Alvarez, who has a historical past with the IGFA. He’s really a former camper at their fishing summer time camp, a program that teaches children ages 7 to 14 about fishing strategies and conservation.

Whereas the bullseye snakehead is the biggest of its particular species ever recorded, it’s value noting that different varieties of snakeheads have grown even greater. The biggest snakehead ever caught was a 30-pound large snakehead from Malaysia, and the most important one caught within the US was a 21-pound northern snakehead from Maryland.

For now although, Alvarez can declare bragging rights because the angler who caught the most important bullseye snakehead ever recorded. His persistence paid off in a giant manner, proving that typically the fish you’re meant to catch is simply 5 extra minutes away.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning outside journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outside column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Outside Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com