A Mendocino County fisherman is still waiting on official confirmation, but his recent catch has already made waves along the Northern California coast. Brendan Walsh reeled in a canary rockfish that could potentially set both state and world records, turning an ordinary fishing trip into a once in a lifetime moment.
The remarkable catch happened Tuesday near the Albion River Harbor in Mendocino County. Walsh landed a canary rockfish weighing an impressive 10.25 pounds, far larger than what anglers typically expect from the species. For comparison, most canary rockfish average between 2 and 5 pounds, making Walsh’s fish an extreme outlier.
Walsh said the catch came at the very end of his outing, just as conditions on the water began to change. With the weather shifting, he decided to make one final cast before heading back to shore. That decision proved to be a memorable one.
“Normally those fish do not get that big,” Walsh explained. “I usually let them go. They are actually a fairly rare fish and usually much smaller than that, not even eating size. So it was pretty shocking.”
Canary rockfish are known for their bright orange coloring and long lifespan, with some individuals believed to live several decades. Because of their slow growth and vulnerability to overfishing, anglers often encounter them at smaller sizes. Landing one over 10 pounds is extremely uncommon, which is why Walsh immediately realized the potential significance of his catch.
After weighing the fish, Walsh completed the necessary paperwork to submit the catch for both California state records and international world record consideration. The process involves careful verification, including certified scales and documentation, before any record can be officially recognized. Until that review is complete, the catch remains unofficial, though excitement is already building within the local fishing community.
Fishermen in the Mendocino area are no strangers to impressive catches, but moments like this do not come around often. The possibility of a world record has drawn attention to the region’s rich marine ecosystem and the surprises it can still deliver, even to experienced anglers.
For Walsh, the experience serves as a reminder that persistence and timing can pay off in unexpected ways. One last cast, made almost as an afterthought, turned into a fish that could earn a place in the record books and a story he will be telling for the rest of his life.
Image/Source: abc7
