At just 11 years old, British schoolboy Callum Pettit has already achieved something most anglers can only dream of. On a fishing trip to Reims, France, with his father, Callum landed a gigantic 96-pound, 10-ounce carp, breaking the junior angling world record.
This incredible catch was just four pounds shy of Callum’s own body weight, making the feat even more extraordinary. It’s a momentous accomplishment that has catapulted Callum into the spotlight of the angling world.
The Record-Breaking Catch
Callum’s adventure began early one morning during his trip to France. He and his father, Stuart Pettit, were on a much-anticipated fishing trip that had been delayed for two years due to the pandemic. The pair had finally set out to fulfill their long-awaited fishing plans, unaware that they were about to make history.
As the sun rose, Callum’s rod alarm went off at around 6 a.m., signaling that something had taken his bait. With excitement running high, Callum grabbed his rod and prepared for the challenge ahead. The fish, nicknamed “Big Girl,” had taken the bait—an unusual banoffee-flavored treat. Little did Callum know, this would be the fish of a lifetime.
A Battle Worth Remembering
Reeling in such a massive carp was no easy task, especially for an 11-year-old. It took Callum 20 minutes of intense concentration and strength to bring the enormous fish to shore. The water was murky, so neither Callum nor his father initially realized just how massive the fish was.
Stuart, who has been an avid angler for over 30 years, was blown away by the size of the catch. He had never seen anything quite like it. In fact, Callum’s carp was almost twice the size of Stuart’s personal best! It wasn’t until Stuart attempted to lift the fish into the landing net that the true magnitude of the catch became clear.
As more anglers gathered around to witness the momentous occasion, a video captured on Stuart’s GoPro showed Callum’s amazement as he repeatedly exclaimed, “That’s massive, Dad!”
A Carp of Epic Proportions
When the carp was finally weighed, it tipped the scales at a staggering 96 pounds and 10 ounces—just four pounds lighter than Callum himself. To put this into perspective, the adult world record for a carp is only slightly larger, standing at 101 pounds and 6 ounces. It’s no wonder Stuart referred to it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” fish.
Stuart expressed his disbelief, saying, “He’s caught this monster at just 11 years old. Where does he go from here? It’s like winning the lottery—what are the chances of catching something bigger than that?”
Callum was equally astonished. “I couldn’t believe how big it was, and my arms were really aching afterward,” he said, clearly still processing the monumental achievement.
The Journey to the Record
Callum’s passion for fishing started when he was just a toddler, tagging along with his father on countless fishing trips. Over the years, he has developed a deep love for the sport, honing his skills and learning from his father’s experience. His previous biggest catch was a 29-pound mirror carp, a far cry from the behemoth he would eventually reel in.
The fishing trip to France had been planned since 2020, but like many other events, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, in the summer of 2023, Callum and his father were able to embark on their long-awaited trip, which would turn out to be unforgettable in more ways than one.
The morning of the catch was like any other, with Callum and Stuart resting in their bivvy tent, waiting for a bite. When the rod alarm went off, they had no idea that the fish at the end of the line would be one of the largest carp ever caught by a junior angler.
A Historic Moment for Junior Angling
The sheer size of Callum’s carp is not only remarkable for his age but also within the context of adult angling records. The world record for a carp stands at 112 pounds and 14 ounces, set by Dutchman Michel Schoenmakers in 2018.
The biggest carp ever caught by a British angler was a 105-pound, 14-ounce mirror carp, landed by Ian Burton in 2019 at a lake in Hungary. Callum’s catch, while not quite at those levels, is nonetheless one of the most impressive junior angling records in recent history.
Callum’s 96-pound fish was identified as one of the biggest carp in Europe, nicknamed “Big Girl.” It’s not often that an 11-year-old gets to make history by catching a fish of such epic proportions. The moment was truly a spectacle, drawing the attention of seasoned anglers from all around.
What’s Next for Callum?
With this monumental achievement under his belt, Callum’s future in the world of angling looks incredibly bright. However, his father Stuart jokingly pointed out that catching a bigger carp than this might be as unlikely as winning the lottery.
For now, Callum is content with his record-breaking catch, and it may take some time for the magnitude of his accomplishment to fully sink in. After all, at just 11 years old, he has achieved something that many anglers spend their entire lives trying to accomplish.
A Legacy in the Making
Callum’s extraordinary catch has not only set a new junior world record but has also inspired young anglers everywhere. His story is a testament to patience, skill, and perseverance—qualities that are essential in the sport of fishing. As Callum continues to grow and develop as an angler, there’s no telling what other records he might break in the future.
For now, this young record-holder can bask in the glory of his once-in-a-lifetime achievement, with the knowledge that he’s already made his mark on the angling world.
