Darin Opel Lands One BIG Fish
I think I have only ran one previous post in regards to fishing. That post featured a world record Blue Catfish caught quite awhile ago. Darin Opel, a 40 year old fisherman from Worden, Illinois has recently landed himself a monster, as well…
That monster happens to be a 92 Pound Carp the Illinois fisherman brought in using a bow and arrow. I grew up Carp and Catfishing. 10 Pounders aren’t to rare of a catch, especially in the deeper rivers of the mid-west. A monster like this comes to light once in a lifetime..
The size and weight of this fish could quite possibly make it the 3rd largest Carp ever caught in the Western Hemisphere. Opel had originally been fishing off the banks near Melvin Price Lock and Dam, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, when he spotted the Carp. He took aim with his bow, then the battle ensued. After a ten minute fight, Darin jumped into the river to try to persuade his prize a bit more. Luckily, that effort worked.
After the monster Carp had been landed, Darin took the fish to the Worden Food Market in Worden, Illinois. The fish measured 62 inches long, with a girth of 30 inches. At 92 pounds and 8 ounces (the official weight), Darin’s prized Carp obliterated the previous bow and arrow Carp record of 35 pounds, 5 ounces caught on June 8, 2006.
Oddly enough, Darin Opel happens to be allergic to fish. If he would take a bite of his prize, although being a Carp, I wouldn’t suggest it–his throat would swell shut, possibly resulting in death. Luckily, he can still handle fish as long as he is not eating them. He mentioned that his friends love to go fishing with him, because he can catch them, then they can keep them.
To read more on this amazing catch and to see the accompanying photo, click on through to the Belleville News-Democrat. It is definitely worth taking a look. Nice catch, Darin!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: 92 Pound Carp, Belleville News-Democrat, Bow and Arrow Fishing, Carp Fishing, Catfishing, Darin Opel, fishing, Illinois, Mississippi River, Monster Carp, Worden, Worden Food Market
I found your site through the Outdoor Bloggers Summit. It is very interesting and well-put-together. Keep up the good work!
Hey Matt,
Glad you stopped by. Thanks for mentioning the Outdoor Blogger’s Summit, as well. I am currently waiting a couple more weeks (got to get through this climbing season) then I will definately be integrating a bit more on what you guys are all doing, as well as introducing many of my reader’s to the great sites involved.
It will be a somewhat new direction, but a fun one as well. Keep your eyes peeled, Matt.
By the way, if some of you are curious, click Matt’s name in his comment and check out his great site. This is just a taste of some of the things to come. Matt runs the Bright Ideas Outdoors Weblog, dedicated to family and the Outdoors. He is also on the Steering Committee of the Outdoor Blogger’s Summit, a great organization for all the Outdoors Bloggers out there. Check them out, as well, you will find a badge in the right-hand sidebar–Click it to se what the fuss is all about!
That is one big fish. I’m not sure I would jump in the water to wrestle it to the beach.
I also wanted to say welcome to the OBS. We’re very pleased you’ve decided to join us. You’re also right, Matt has a wonderful site.
Kristine,
Thanks for stopping by! Am receiving some great support from everyone associated with the Outdoor Blogger’s Summit.
As far as Darin’s fish goes, it is a big catch, but by looking at Darin, looks like he could handle it. Even he said he struggled though. I think it got to the point where either he was going to land that thing, or that thing was going to have Darin strapped to it’s back heading down river. Glad Darin won