This States Fish Record Beat By A Single Ounce
It was just on March 18th 2022 that Illinois angler Jim Dain set the Missouri paddlefish state record by catching a 140-pound, 10-ounce fish on Lake Of The Ozarks.
According to the Missouri DNR, Jim’s fish weighed a single ounce more than the previous record. Anglers enjoy chasing paddlefish both for the fight and for their delicious table fare.
Here’s what Jim has done with his catch:
“We got 16 one-gallon bags of meat out of this catch,” Said Jim.
“We’ve fried it, grilled it and made paddlefish tacos the other night. We’ll be having paddlefish for a while!” Jim Dain Record Holder.
According to Dain, it took them at least 20 minutes to catch the fish.
After getting back to the boat ramp, Steven Henson of Bonne Terre, who holds the Missouri state record for river carpsucker, was in the area and suggested Dain contact MDC.
“He was at the boat ramp and happened to hold a state record,” said Dain.
“He’s looking at the fish and says to me, ‘Boy, I think you should get that checked out because it could be a state record.’”
Paddlefish’s ancient filter-feeding technique entails hoovering up plankton and small creatures in those giant mouths of theirs – not a fan of bait or lures like other fish.
As such, the angler’s approach is to zigzag weighted treble hooks rapidly in order to get one stuck in the fish.
With precious few states allowing for paddlefish harvesting, rules and seasons are regulated carefully so that these swimmers remain part of our aquatic future.
Congratulations Jim – time to dish out some paddlefish!
