A chance catch turned into a world record for Alexandra Spring when she landed a 33-pound, 14-ounce Atlantic halibut off Cape Cod. This remarkable flatfish earned her the IGFA’s 30-pound line-class record, marking her tenth world record overall.
From Florida to Cape Cod
Spring, an accomplished angler with nine previous IGFA records for red snapper and gag grouper, was on a tuna trip with Captain Ian Leonard and her fiancé, CJ Peppe, on July 22. Having traveled from Florida to Cape Cod for the past three summers, the trio regularly organizes fishing excursions. This time, the plan was to chase bluefin tuna, but Spring’s restless spirit led to a surprising twist.
A Jigging Surprise
Accustomed to active fishing methods, Spring opted for an ultralight slow-pitch jigging setup with an A87 diamond jig. After just 15 minutes, she felt what seemed like a snag. However, the “snag” had other ideas. “It felt like reeling in a door from the bottom of the ocean,” Spring recounted. With the rod bending under immense weight, she quickly realized she had hooked something significant.
The fish fought stubbornly, behaving like “a steady, dead weight,” until it saw the hull and made a powerful run. After a fierce battle, Spring finally hauled the fish aboard. Little did she know, this catch would soon become historic.
Breaking the Record
Initially believing the reel was spooled with 20-pound line, the group speculated the fish might set a record. After careful measurements and tests, the IGFA confirmed the line had a 30-pound breaking strength. Regardless, Spring’s Atlantic halibut shattered the previous 30-pound line-class record, set in Greenland during the 1980s.
More Records to Chase
Interestingly, the record-breaking catch preceded a planned trip to Alaska to target Pacific halibut. “I never imagined I’d catch my first halibut in the Northeast,” Spring joked.
Looking ahead, she and Peppe aim to catch fish in all 50 states—a journey that might just yield her eleventh world record. For now, the accidental Atlantic halibut remains a testament to the unexpected adventures fishing can offer.
Image/Source: onthewater
