This content is being reposted from my nyangler.com website. I though you might like it.
The fishing world is buzzing with unprecedented catches and rare marine encounters that have anglers from North Carolina to the Canary Islands talking. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just love incredible fish stories, these recent developments prove that our oceans still hold plenty of surprises.
Almaco Jacks are prized gamefish known for their powerful fights and excellent table fare
"I jigged the bait off the bottom, this fish hit it, and it took 45 minutes to get him in because it was light tackle," Poirier told reporters. His buddies were giving him grief for taking so long while they caught multiple fish, not realizing they were witnessing history in the making. The Virginia angler was using a Shimano Trevala rod with a Saltist 5000 reel and 80-pound braid when the beast nearly spooled him.
Captain James Bowman, who guided the trip, said it was the biggest Almaco Jack he'd ever seen. The fish measured 46 inches and now holds the North Carolina state record, certified by the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Grass carp are invasive species that can grow to enormous sizes in American waters
Farden's catch didn't just break one record—it obliterated both the previous archery record (38.5 pounds) and the rod-and-reel record (46.7 pounds). These Asian natives were introduced to the US in the 1970s for algae control but have since become invasive across 45 states. The good news? They're excellent eating, and there's no limit on harvesting them.
Maryland's record-breaking Chesapeake Channa caught by Matt Foreman
Foreman was bowfishing from a Working Class Outdoorsman charter when he arrowed the 36-inch beast. The trip was incredibly productive, with the crew eliminating 26 Channa and one blue catfish in a single evening. Captain Nick Mather called it the best snakehead fishing he'd seen in seven years.
The terrifying black seadevil anglerfish normally lurks 1,500 meters below the surface
The black seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) typically haunts depths of up to 1,500 meters where sunlight never penetrates. Marine photographer David Jara Boguñá and the Condrik Tenerife research team spent about an hour with the fish before it died. Scientists speculate it may have been ill, fleeing a predator, or affected by El Niño weather patterns.
The legendary oarfish can reach 30 feet in length and rarely ventures near the surface
A 30-foot specimen caught off Tamil Nadu on May 30th sparked local fears, as Japanese legend links oarfish surface appearances to earthquakes and tsunamis. Additional sightings in New Zealand, Long Island, and Mexico have fueled social media speculation, though scientists stress there's no proven connection between oarfish appearances and natural disasters.
For invasive species like grass carp and northern snakehead, established populations are simply reaching maturity, producing the trophy-sized fish we're seeing. These catches also highlight the importance of invasive species management—every giant grass carp or snakehead removed helps protect native ecosystems.
For those targeting invasive species, remember that you're doing double duty—potentially setting a personal record while helping the environment. And who knows? Your next cast might just land you in the record books alongside these incredible catches from around the globe.
Keep your lines tight and your cameras ready—you never know when the fish of a lifetime might be waiting just below the surface.
Record Smashers and Deep Sea Mysteries Rock the Angling World
From monster catches off the Outer Banks to mysterious deep-sea visitors surfacing worldwide, June 2025 has delivered some of the most incredible fishing stories in recent memory.The fishing world is buzzing with unprecedented catches and rare marine encounters that have anglers from North Carolina to the Canary Islands talking. Whether you're chasing personal bests or just love incredible fish stories, these recent developments prove that our oceans still hold plenty of surprises.
OUTER BANKS ALMACO JACK OBLITERATES STATE RECORD
Warren Poirier thought he was just wrapping up another day of fishing off North Carolina's Outer Banks when his line went tight on June 7th. Forty-five minutes later, he'd hauled in a 56-pound, 4.8-ounce Almaco Jack that absolutely demolished the previous state record by a whopping 23 pounds [1].
Almaco Jacks are prized gamefish known for their powerful fights and excellent table fare
"I jigged the bait off the bottom, this fish hit it, and it took 45 minutes to get him in because it was light tackle," Poirier told reporters. His buddies were giving him grief for taking so long while they caught multiple fish, not realizing they were witnessing history in the making. The Virginia angler was using a Shimano Trevala rod with a Saltist 5000 reel and 80-pound braid when the beast nearly spooled him.
Captain James Bowman, who guided the trip, said it was the biggest Almaco Jack he'd ever seen. The fish measured 46 inches and now holds the North Carolina state record, certified by the Division of Marine Fisheries.
IDAHO BOWFISHERMAN ARROWS MASSIVE GRASS CARP
Meanwhile, on the Snake River in Idaho, Riley Farden of New Plymouth was having his own record-breaking day. The bowfisherman shattered the state grass carp record with a monster weighing 67.65 pounds and measuring 49 inches long with a 32.75-inch girth [2].
Grass carp are invasive species that can grow to enormous sizes in American waters
Farden's catch didn't just break one record—it obliterated both the previous archery record (38.5 pounds) and the rod-and-reel record (46.7 pounds). These Asian natives were introduced to the US in the 1970s for algae control but have since become invasive across 45 states. The good news? They're excellent eating, and there's no limit on harvesting them.
MARYLAND'S SNAKEHEAD INVASION PRODUCES ANOTHER GIANT
The Chesapeake Bay's invasive northern snakehead population continues to produce trophy-sized fish, with Matt Foreman of Crownsville setting a new Maryland record. His 21.8-pound Chesapeake Channa (the fish's rebranded name) was taken from the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam on June 7th [3].
Maryland's record-breaking Chesapeake Channa caught by Matt Foreman
Foreman was bowfishing from a Working Class Outdoorsman charter when he arrowed the 36-inch beast. The trip was incredibly productive, with the crew eliminating 26 Channa and one blue catfish in a single evening. Captain Nick Mather called it the best snakehead fishing he'd seen in seven years.
DEEP SEA MYSTERIES: WHEN THE ABYSS COMES TO LIGHT
While anglers were setting records in familiar waters, the deep ocean delivered some truly bizarre encounters. Off the coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, researchers captured what may be the first-ever footage of a live adult black seadevil anglerfish near the ocean's surface in broad daylight [4].
The terrifying black seadevil anglerfish normally lurks 1,500 meters below the surface
The black seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) typically haunts depths of up to 1,500 meters where sunlight never penetrates. Marine photographer David Jara Boguñá and the Condrik Tenerife research team spent about an hour with the fish before it died. Scientists speculate it may have been ill, fleeing a predator, or affected by El Niño weather patterns.
GLOBAL "DOOMSDAY FISH" SIGHTINGS SPARK CONCERN
Perhaps even more mysterious are the multiple oarfish sightings reported across the globe in recent months. These ribbon-like giants, dubbed "doomsday fish" in Japanese folklore, have appeared from Tamil Nadu, India to Tasmania, Australia [5].
The legendary oarfish can reach 30 feet in length and rarely ventures near the surface
A 30-foot specimen caught off Tamil Nadu on May 30th sparked local fears, as Japanese legend links oarfish surface appearances to earthquakes and tsunamis. Additional sightings in New Zealand, Long Island, and Mexico have fueled social media speculation, though scientists stress there's no proven connection between oarfish appearances and natural disasters.
WHAT'S DRIVING THESE INCREDIBLE CATCHES?
The convergence of record-breaking catches and rare sightings has the fishing community buzzing. Improved fishing techniques, better equipment, and increased angling pressure certainly contribute to more record fish being caught. Climate change and shifting ocean conditions may also be bringing deep-sea species closer to the surface.For invasive species like grass carp and northern snakehead, established populations are simply reaching maturity, producing the trophy-sized fish we're seeing. These catches also highlight the importance of invasive species management—every giant grass carp or snakehead removed helps protect native ecosystems.
THE TAKEAWAY FOR ANGLERS
Whether you're targeting trophy gamefish or just hoping for a memorable day on the water, these stories prove that incredible catches are still possible. The key ingredients remain the same: persistence, proper equipment, and being in the right place at the right time.For those targeting invasive species, remember that you're doing double duty—potentially setting a personal record while helping the environment. And who knows? Your next cast might just land you in the record books alongside these incredible catches from around the globe.
Keep your lines tight and your cameras ready—you never know when the fish of a lifetime might be waiting just below the surface.