Young Angler Sets Record with Massive White Sea Bass

A 13-year-old boy from Rio Oso, California, caught a potential world record white sea bass weighing 63.7 pounds during a family fishing trip in Tomales Bay. This impressive catch has quickly made him a local hero and a notable figure in the fishing community.

Julian Her was fishing with his family on August 10 when he hooked the enormous fish. The moment was so extraordinary that he initially thought he had caught a common bat ray, but the true size of the catch soon became clear. With the help of his uncle, Julian managed to reel in the fish, which was later photographed and taken to a tackle shop for official weighing.

Julian’s catch is especially remarkable because he only weighs about 15 pounds less than the fish. His previous best was a modest 10-pound catfish caught in May. The family has submitted the catch details to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) for verification, which could take several weeks. If approved, this record would surpass the prior junior white sea bass record of 59 pounds set in 2002 and establish a new junior class record.

His father, Rinna Her, expressed immense pride and excitement about the event, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The family traveled to Tomales Bay early in the morning, hoping to catch halibut under ideal conditions, but Julian’s catch stole the show and drew significant attention from local anglers and passersby.

This achievement not only highlights Julian’s fishing skills at a young age but also cements his place in angling history if the record is officially recognized.