Did 'Marathon Man' Break His Own World Record?

UPDATE: Jeff Kolodzinski fell short in his attempt to break the 24-hour world record for catching fish. His target was 2,144; he finished with 1,510. Read More Here

With 9/11 serving as the backdrop, fishing industry veteran Jeff Kolodzinski will attempt to break his own 24-hour world record for most fish caught (more than 2,100!), all while helping the Fishing for Life Next GEN program.

Most years, the observance of the life-altering, world changing 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. brings a stark reminder of what's not right in this world.

But this year, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, Jeff Kolodzinski intends to turn the remembrance of a day of horror and loss into something positive that points towards the joys of fishing and makes a difference in the lives of many others. 

"We're going to have a blast," said Kolodzinski, fishing brand manager for Johnson Outdoors, which includes Humminbird and Minn Kota. "I'm going to smash a Guinness Book of World Records for 2,143 fish caught in 24-hours."

Amazingly enough, Kolodzinski will be attempting to break the world record that he set back in 2011.

"It's been six years since I set the bar in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most fish caught in 24-hours," he notes on Facebook. "It's time to break my own record, again, and support a great cause."

• Read this Outdoor Channel Q&A with Kolodzinski after setting the record in 2011.

Headquartered at the Giant Goose Ranch in Canton, Ill., Kolodzinski is attempting to raise funds and awareness for a group of people near and dear to his heart.

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It's to benefit an incredible group of people that are serving our country," said Kolodzinski in a video at the Marathon Man Facebook page. "The group at Fishing for Life has a Next GEN program where they assign mentors to serve families who have lost loved ones in battle and for families who just need some help."

The nation's observance of the 17^thanniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks will serve as the backdrop for this year's Marathon Man world record push. 

With the goal being a desire to make a positive impact on military and single-parent households, Kolodzinski's desire is more than just securing another one in a long line of awards he has earned as a member of the fishing industry over the years.

"Jeff has been a partner of Fishing for Life for years," said Major Tom Goodrich, founder of Fishing for Life as well as a retired U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Afghanistan and earned a Bronze Star for his service.

"When we started the Next GEN program, he (Kolodzinski) said 'I'm going to get back on board and I'm going to go fishing again," added Goodrich. "(He said) I'm going to break my own record and we're going to raise funds for not only Fishing for Life, but specifically for the Next GEN program.'"

With the event being headquartered in southern Illinois, the Sept. 11-12 event is open to those who want to attend in person to witness the world record attempt.

"If you can't be there in person, join us on the Internet, I'll be on Facebook Live," stated Kolodzinski. "This is something you've got to see."

For those who can't attend, the fishing spree will be shown in a 24-hour long video feed that will begin at 9 a.m. CST on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Either way, in person or on the Internet, Kolodzinski said that people will see that this Marathon Man event is the combination of two of the great passions in his life, fishing and helping other people out.

"I would ask that you join me on Sept. 11 where I fish for 24-hours," said Kolodzinski on the Marathon Man Facebook page. "Come and watch this and help support Fishing for Life's Next GEN program. We'd love for you to stop by and even make a donation. It will be filled with action, lots of fun, and a ton of laughs. Because I can tell you, if I'm there, I'll make some funny stuff (happen)."

To learn more about Marathon Man's mission for this world record attempt – and to donate – visit the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/MarathonManFishing