Michigan Kid Lands Alabama Record King Mackerel

A Michigan 8-year-old vacationing with his family in the Gulf reeled in the catch of his young life last week.

Andrew Quinn, a Scottville, Mich., native, landed the new Alabama record king mackerel last Wednesday, reeling in a 68-pound, 3-ouncer on his first deep-sea trip with his father, grandfather and three brothers.

Andrew's catch will likely be entered as a co-state record, Alabama's rules for saltwater fish over 25 pounds must beat the previous record by 0.5 percent, meaning Andrew's fish would have to weigh 68 pounds, 4.5 ounces to beat the previous record, a 67-pound, 15-ounce fish caught by Michael Kirchler of Mobile, Ala., in April 2002.

Three hours into a six-hour trip, Andrew's fish struck the line strung with pinfish, battling for about 20 minutes before the fish was finally gaffed and brought aboard.

A few blisters and a tender rib are the battle scars Andrew has to show for his catch -- his new favorite game fish -- and hopes to break his own record someday, he said.

According to the International Game Fish Association, the world record king mackerel was a 93-pounder caught by Steve Graulau on April 18, 1999, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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