Jaylynn Parker Sets New Blue Catfish Record in Ohio’s Waters

Jaylynn Parker, a 15-year-old high school sophomore from New Richmond, Ohio, broke the state’s blue catfish catching record on April 7th while jugline fishing in the swollen backwaters of the Ohio River. With the assistance of her dad and his friend Jeff, she successfully hauled up a massive fish weighing an impressive 101 pounds and measuring 56 inches long. The family submitted their catch to be certified by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO), which maintains the state’s official fishing records. After rigorous examination from three Ohio game wardens, OWO confirmed that Jaylynn had set a new record for blue catfish in Ohio waters.
Jaylynn and her father are avid anglers who typically fish using rod and reel methods but switch to jugline techniques during periods of heavy rainfall when the creeks off the Ohio River swell. The pair always release their catch instead of taking them home for food, opting for an ethical fishing practice known as ‘catch and release’. Their exceptional capture sparked social media interest in the outdoor community leading Kristen Parker, Jaylynn’s mother to warn her daughter about “nasty messages”. However, Fred Snyder, chairperson of OWO’s Record Fish Committee stated that there was no controversy regarding the legality or catch method used.
The previous blue catfish record for Ohio waters stood at 96 pounds and had been set in 2009. Jaylynn’s exceptional capture could potentially be recognized as the largest fish ever caught in state history, subject to final review by a division of Wildlife fisheries biologist per state rules on official fishing records recognition requirements.
For the Parker family, their passion for angling began when Jaylynn was just two years old; her dad has always taken his daughter along with him whenever he goes out fishing. The father-daughter duo is now using social media to share details of their exciting adventures in pursuit of various fish species across Ohio’s waterways.
Despite the recent attention, Jaylynn remains grounded and focused on achieving academic excellence while working towards getting her driving license this summer. Her love for fishing continues to grow with each passing day as she revels in its unique thrills – the uncertainty of every bite that comes along makes it an exciting experience for her.
Jaylynn’s newfound fame did not deter her from returning back out into Ohio’s waters on April 7th, hours after learning about her record-breaking catch with renewed excitement and eagerness to embark on a fresh fishing expedition alongside her dad.