Fishermen catch world-record wels catfish, or so they say

The enormous catfish landed by two Polish fishermen while competing in a fishing tournament at a reservoir in Rybnik, Poland, a few weeks ago is being hailed as a world record for length.

Krzysztof Pyra and Adrian Gontarz from the Polish Angling Academy, Berkley Pulse Shad Catching the Wels catfish, which is 292 centimeters or 9.58 feet long, takes 90 minutes to land the massive catfish. Portal Polskiego Radia SA.

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“We couldn’t believe our eyes when we finally saw it; a huge, huge fish, a real monster,” Prya said.

ReportedlyHe was estimated to weigh 290 pounds and his estimated age was 60 years old. Since the competition was catch-and-release, it was never weighed.

TVP World He reported that this was the largest catfish caught with rod and reel in the world, and that may be true in some sense. But we’ll never know for sure.

The International Game Fish Association lists the world record for all tackle as 297 pounds, 9 ounces, set in 2010 by Attila Zsedely using Rapala trolled in Italy’s Po River. The IGFA does not list the world length record for wels catfish, but Alessandra Biancardi is widely regarded as the holder of the length record of 285 centimeters, or 9.4 feet, caught in the Po River. 2023.

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OutdoorR. Life reported online video clips showed Pyra and Gontarz measuring and releasing wels catfish.

Even if the measurements are accurate, the disqualifying factor for the IGFA is that two anglers tackle the fish, rather than one, as the rules require.

IGFA world record fishing rules

from IGFA International Angling Rules: “From the moment a fish strikes or takes a bait or bait, the fisherman must hook, tackle, and land or tow the fish without the assistance of any other person.”

And the following acts will disqualify the catch: “Any person other than the fisherman touching any part of the rod, reel or line (including double line) physically or with any device, or giving any assistance other than what is permitted in the rules and regulations, from the moment the fish strikes or takes the bait or bait until the fish is landed or released. If a line obstructing the passage of the line through the fishing guides must be removed from the line, then the obstruction (whether a buddy, a rubber band, “No other material) shall be held and released and shall not be held or touched by anyone other than the angler during this process.”

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Portal Polkskiego Radia SA report called this a Polish record, surpassing the previous mark of 261 cm or 8.6 feet. Perhaps Poland has less stringent rules than the IGFA when it comes to registration qualifications.

This Wels catfish is an incredible catch, there is no doubt about it. We do not underestimate success. And this could be a world record in terms of length, because Polish Angling Academy claims, but it definitely comes with an asterisk.

This article was first published on For The Win: Fishermen break world record by catching giant catfish