A 33-pound, 14-ounce Atlantic halibut has secured Alexandra Spring her tenth IGFA world record, earning the 30-pound line class title for Atlantic halibut.
On July 22, during a tuna trip off Cape Cod with Captain Ian Leonard, Spring hooked the massive fish in a surprising turn of events. Describing the experience as “reeling in a door from the bottom of the ocean,” Spring battled the fish using an ultralight slow-pitch jigging setup. The halibut was landed with the help of Leonard and angling partner CJ Peppe, marking a memorable day for the trio.
For the past three summers, Spring has traveled from Florida to Cape Cod, enjoying fishing adventures with Leonard and Peppe. The group organizes annual trips in their respective regions, building camaraderie over shared passion for the sport. On this occasion, the original plan was to target bluefin tuna east of Cape Cod, capitalizing on ideal sea conditions.
After reaching their designated spot, bluefin tuna were spotted on the electronics, and lines with live bait were set. However, Spring, accustomed to the action-packed style of reef fishing, opted for a more engaging approach. She rigged up a diamond jig with a green tube and began jigging. After about 15 minutes, what felt like a snag turned into the fight of a lifetime.
Spring’s determination and technique paid off as she steadily brought the fish toward the surface. The halibut made a strong final run upon seeing the hull but was eventually subdued and brought aboard. The catch later surpassed the IGFA’s previous women’s 30-pound line class record for Atlantic halibut, which had stood since the 1980s.
The Atlantic halibut was an unexpected milestone, as a trip to Alaska to target Pacific halibut had already been planned just weeks later. While breaking this record was not part of the original plan, it adds a significant achievement to Spring’s growing list of accolades.
Looking ahead, Spring and her angling partner aim to catch a fish in each of the 50 states, a goal that could lead to yet another world record in the future.
Image/Source: OnTheWater
