A California fisherman might have broken records by catching a 10.25-lb. canary rockfish
Brendan Walsh, a 26-year-old house painter from Mendocino County, California, hooked a massive 10.25-pound canary rockfish on December 17, 2025, off Albion River Harbor, potentially shattering the state angling record.
Record-Breaking Catch
Walsh's fish eclipses the previous California record of 9 pounds set by Cally Coombs in November 2024 off Usal Beach, by a full 1 pound 4 ounces. He even eyes the world record of 10 pounds from 1986, pending verification from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and International Game Fish Association.
Serendipitous Outing
Eager for one last trip before winter storms, Walsh convinced his father, Will, to launch their converted boat Betty despite rain. Armed with a new pre-Christmas jig lure, he landed the vibrant orange prize on his "just one last cast" right off Albion in calm seas.
Verification Process
Walsh documented the catch meticulously—photos, measurements, and forms submitted via certified mail to CDFW for their Fishing and Diving Records database. Officials will weigh, measure, and confirm species (Sebastes pinniger) before official certification, a process that could take weeks.
Local Celebration
Family, including parents Deirdre Lamb and Will Walsh plus grandfather Bill, erupted in joy over the "Christmas fish." Mendocino locals hail it as village history, with Walsh planning a mounted replica; debates swirl on release ethics, but verification demanded keeping it.
Species Spotlight
Canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger), named for their bright yellow-orange hue, thrive in rocky Pacific depths of 300-900 feet off California, feeding on krill and juvenile fish. They live up to 80 years, growing slowly, which makes trophy catches like Walsh's rare amid strict bag limits of two per day.
Fishing Challenges
Walsh battled the beast for 20 minutes using 30-pound test line on a Penn Squall reel, fighting currents and the fish's dives. Mendocino's rugged coastline demands skilled boat handling; his father's decades of experience proved crucial in the stormy prelude.
Record Implications
If certified, this shatters Coombs' mark and nears the 10-pound IGFA all-tackle world record by Tim Murphy in Alaska, 1986. California boasts 126 angling records, with rockfish prominent; Walsh joins legends like the 17-pound lingcod holder.
Community Buzz
Social media explodes with NorCal anglers sharing congrats, jigs tips, and Albion spot bets. Local tackle shops report jig sellouts; Walsh humbly credits luck, inspiring youth to fish safely amid CDFW's sustainability push.
