Polish anglers catch massive catfish, potentially breaking length record

Two Polish anglers landed a massive catfish measuring 292 centimeters (9.6 feet) at a reservoir in Rybnik, Poland, after a 90-minute struggle with the immense fish.

The enormous European wels catfish was caught by Krzysztof Pyra and Adrian Gontarz, of the Polish Fishing Academy, while participating in a fishing competition a few weeks ago. They used a Berkley Pulse Shad lure for the catch.

"When we finally saw it, we couldn't believe our eyes—a huge, enormous fish, a real monster," one of the anglers said.

The fish was estimated to weigh 290 pounds (approximately 132 kilograms) and had an estimated age of 60 years. It was not officially weighed because the competition adhered to a "catch and release" format.

Record Controversy and Regulations

The monumental catch is considered by some to be a world record for length for a wels catfish caught with a rod and reel. This is plausible, as the previous recognized length record is often cited as 2.85 meters, caught in Italy in 2023.

However, the catch faces potential disqualification under the rules of the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). The IGFA's official world record for all-tackle weight stands at 135 kilograms.

The primary factor disqualifying this impressive catch from a recognized world record is that two anglers fought the fish, not just one, as IGFA rules require. Regardless of the world record status, the catch is reported to be a new Polish national record, surpassing the previous mark of 261 centimeters. This suggests that the national competition may have less stringent rules than the IGFA regarding record qualifications.