Eric Mayo, an enthusiastic Mississippi angler, has made waves by breaking the state record for longear sunfish, capturing a remarkable specimen that measured 8 3/8 inches and weighed 0.51 pounds. Known for his skill in using both fly rods and conventional setups, Mayo manages his family’s pond with a focus on growing trophy-sized panfish.
His recent accomplishment adds to his impressive total of nine state records, spanning both fly rod and rod-and-reel categories. His commitment to cultivating quality fishing waters has led to his dominance across multiple records, and he now holds both the rod-and-reel and fly rod records for longear sunfish in Mississippi.
Mayo’s journey into record-breaking began four years ago when he incidentally caught a brown bullhead that earned him his first title. Reviewing the record list, he saw opportunities to set many more, and his efforts soon led to records for hybrid bluegill and redspotted sunfish caught in his family’s pond. Dedicated to creating an exceptional fishery, he has focused his management on improving the size and quality of panfish.
To protect his fishery, Mayo has introduced Z-Man Micro Finesse baits, a soft bait that avoids issues with regular plastic lures. Regular lures often leave fragments that fish may ingest, posing health risks, so Mayo’s choice has ensured a safer, sustainable approach to catching large panfish. His recent record is also notable as one of the first achieved with BFS (bait finesse system) gear, which he favors for its finesse and versatility in capturing trophy fish.
Image/Source: Wired2Fish
