18-02-2025
Fishermen in disbelief as record-breaking catch hauled in off Aussie coast: 'Mind-blowing'
An incredible new world record appears to have been set by an ecstatic group of Australian fishermen who yesterday reeled in a "mind-blowing" cobia fish weighing in at a whopping 80 kilograms.
Drew Clowes from boat operator Jazz Charters was fishing yesterday with young angler Koby Duncan — who made the catch — off the coast of Fremantle in Western Australia.
Drew said at first he thought Koby had caught a stingray, even encouraging him to "bust it off about five times". But, the pair have thanked their lucky stars Koby held on, now dethroning the previous record holder, also an Australian, who held the title for some 40 years.
In a now-viral social media video, the group of fishers can be heard screaming in excitement at reeling in the whopping fish. "This thing is out of control," one of the men said in the video
"It's as big Harley [another angler] — holy sh*t! That'll be a state record this thing."
Speaking to radio station 6PR, Drew explained that the team are currently "filling in some paperwork" to certify that the catch is in fact a new world record, but they expect the ratification process to soon be completed.
"[We're] ticking a few boxes at the moment," he told Perth Today host Simon Beaumont. "It was exciting, I can't lie. I was like a little school kid at the time, it was not something you expect to see in Perth. You do get the odd cobia, but nothing like that."
According to the International Game Fish Association, the previous record holder, Peter W. Goulding, caught a 135-pound, 9-ounce (61.5 kg) specimen at Shark Bay all the way back in July, 1985. In the years since, there have been reports of larger cobia catches, but these have not been officially recognised as world records.
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"It was mind-blowing," Drew said. "Once we landed the fish we knew we had something. We guessed something between 60 to 80kgs. We headed back into Fremantle made a few phone calls ... we loaded the fish onto the scales and we knew then and there it was going to be a record."
Drew said after bringing the fish onto shore, people flocked to catch a glimpse of the monster catch. We drew a bit of a crowd ... but it has blown up, the phone yesterday didn't stop ringing."
Cobia is a highly sought-after fish known for its strong fight and distinct flavour. These fish are typically found in warm coastal waters and can grow up to six feet (1.8 metres) in length and weigh over 100 pounds. Cobia is known for their migratory behaviour, often travelling long distances in search of food and spawning grounds.
Catching large fish for world records remains a controversial practice, as it often contradicts principles of marine conservation. While these massive fish are prized for their size, their removal from the ocean can have significant negative consequences for ecosystems and fish populations.
Despite these concerns, many sport fishers continue to target large fish in pursuit of world records. Catching a record-breaking fish brings prestige, sponsorship opportunities, and media attention.
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