Ohio Angler Sets New State Record for Green Sunfish

Cast Your Line, Break a Record: An Unforgettable Catch

From Culinary Arts to Record-Breaking Angling: Jeret Stevens' Serendipitous Day

On a serene morning, May 18, Jeret Stevens, a dedicated chef, embarked on a fishing excursion near his Ohio residence. His initial quest for fish to prepare for dinner at a public lake proved fruitless. This unforeseen turn of events led him to a quaint farm pond adjacent to his parents' property, where he hoped to secure a modest catch.

An Unexpected Bite: The Turning Point in a Routine Fishing Trip

Arriving at the pond around 10 a.m., Stevens cast his line, baited with a red wiggler worm, employing a spinning rod and six-pound test line. The quiet morning was soon interrupted by a forceful tug on his line. The intensity of the pull led him to believe he had hooked a bass, causing concern that the fish might escape into the dense pond weeds.

The Moment of Truth: A Sunfish of Unprecedented Size

As he reeled in his catch, Stevens was met with a surprising sight: a sunfish of extraordinary dimensions. Having previously learned to distinguish green sunfish from other species through a friend, David Maurer, he immediately recognized the potential significance of his find. A quick photograph and message to Maurer confirmed his suspicions: he had caught an exceptionally large green sunfish, possibly a state record.

Official Recognition: The Path to Certifying a New State Record

Understanding the strict protocols for record verification, Stevens located a certified scale at a local meat market in Pioneer. The fish officially weighed 1.35 pounds. Despite a humorous misprint on the receipt labeling his catch as 'Seafood Salad,' Stevens presented his evidence to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Brad Agler, a fisheries biologist, confirmed the fish's species, validating it as a green sunfish. Measuring 11.45 inches in length and with a girth of 10.82 inches, Stevens' catch officially surpassed the 2018 record, cementing his place in Ohio's fishing history. He now plans to commission a skin mount of his remarkable catch, a lasting tribute to his unexpected achievement.