Sunfish Caught in Record Size!

Anglers have been catching some incredible sunfish over the past few weeks, but no one expected one to break the state record! That is, until Jerry Meek caught a whopping 9.5-pound sunfish on July 13th.

The previous state record was held by Kenneth Dilling with a fish that weighed in at 8.8 pounds. The massive sunfish caught by Jerry is a great example of why this type of fishing can be so exciting.

Sunfish can be found in many different bodies of water, making them a popular target for anglers. They congregate around structures like bridges, piers, and boat ramps, making them relatively easy to catch.

While most sunfish weigh in at under 2 pounds, there are always a few that break the mold. This latest catch is definitely one for the history books!

A Sunfish Swims Up to Boat, Delights Fisherman

Bob Dorman was out fishing for walleye on Flathead Lake in Montana when he had an unexpected surprise. A sunfish came swimming up to his boat, much to the delight of the fisherman.

"I just about fell out of the boat," Dorman told NBC affiliate KTVQ. "It was a pretty big one, too. I would say at least 10 inches long."

Dorman managed to snap a picture of the unusual encounter before releasing the fish back into the water. He said he had never seen anything like it before.

"It was a pretty cool experience," he said.

Idaho Family reels in massive sunfish

An Idaho family reeled in a massive sunfish over the weekend.

"It was easily the biggest sunfish I'd ever seen," said local angler Brandon Haltom.

Haltom was fishing with his father and grandfather on a small creek east of Boise when they hooked the giant sunfish. The fish fought for over an hour before finally being landed.

The group measured the fish at just over three feet long and more than 30 pounds in weight. They released the fish back into the creek after taking a few photos.

Sunfish are a common species of freshwater fish found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. These fish can reach sizes of up to 10 pounds, but 30-pound specimens are rare.

Sunfish surprise at Peoria fishing pier

Fisherman at the Peoria fishing pier were surprised this week when they reeled in a sunfish that was much larger than usual. The average sunfish caught at the pier is around 6 inches in length, but this one was nearly twice that size at 11 inches.

The lucky angler who reeled in the fish said that it took some effort to get it on land. "It was a really big fish," he said. "I've never caught anything like that at this pier before."

While it's not clear why this particular sunfish was so large, biologists say that it's not unheard of for sunfish to grow to impressive sizes. In fact, there have been reports of sunfish weighing up to 15 pounds or more.

So what accounts for the sunfish's unusually large size? It's likely a combination of factors, including good food sources and healthy water conditions. Sunfish are opportunistic feeders, and they can grow quite large when they have access to lots of prey.

In addition, sunfish are known for being robust and hearty fish, capable of surviving in a wide range of habitats. This means that they can thrive in both fresh and salt water, making them one of the most versatile species of fish around.

Sunfishes are also popular recreational fish, prized for their fighting spirit and tasty fillets. So if you're lucky enough to catch one of these giants yourself, be sure to enjoy your bounty!

Sunfish Stuns Boaters With Its Size

Lake George, NY - Boaters were stunned with the size of a sunfish they reeled in this week. The fish was so large, it barely fit into the boat after being caught.

Tommy Coates, the boater who reeled in the fish, said he had never seen anything like it before.

"It was absolutely huge," he said. "I couldn't believe it was a sunfish when I first saw it."

The sunfish weighs an estimated 10 pounds and is over 18 inches long. It is unclear how long the fish had been in the lake, but Coates said he plans to eat it.

"It's definitely going to make for a good dinner," he said.