An 11-year-old boy from Missouri just made history.
Maverick Yoakum is the new holder of the world record for river redhorse sucker. The boy caught the 10-pound, 3-ounce hog while fishing Tavern Creek, just west of St. Louis.
"I fought the fish for about two to three minutes before I got it to the bank," said the youngster. "I thought I caught a pretty big fish, but I didn't know it was a state record until my dad told me to look it up online. I'm super excited to hold a state record!"
Yoakum's new pole-and-line record beats the old record of 9 pounds, 13 ounces caught from the same body of water in 2016.
The boy was fishing with worms when he caught the fish, and he made sure to thank his father for the experience.
"I just can't believe it! I have never thought about holding a record, and now I may be a world-record holder. I can't believe it!" he said. "I want to thank my dad for always taking me fishing, because if it wasn't for him taking me fishing I wouldn't have caught a fish like I did."
Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson praised the lad as well:
"Missouri does have a handful (of world record holders)," Branson said. "I think we've got five or so current world records. But none of them are from a youth. So, this is kind of a special deal, having a youth do it."
Missouri recognizes record fish in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods, which include the use of throwlines, trotlines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, gigging, archery and even atlatl. The biggest fish taken in the state via alternative method was a 17-pounder that was caught by gigging.
"Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and this new unique record clearly shows why," Branson said. "This fish could possibly be the largest river redhorse ever taken with a pole and line.
The International Game Fish Association only recognizes fish taken by pole and line.
"A lot of these sucker type fish prefer the gravel bottom streams, slightly clearer streams, and those are the types of streams you find in the Ozarks here in Missouri," Branson said.
We couldn't be happier for the young angler!
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