‘Frankenfish’ hooked in Va. creek a world record; invasive species weighs 17 pounds, 6 ounces

SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. – A Virginia man who caught a fish known as “Frankenfish” has set a world record.

Caleb Newton hooked the 17-pound, 6-ounce northern snakehead in a creek in northern Virginia during a fishing tournament June 1. The “Frankenfish” gets its nickname because of its appearance and adaptability. The invasive species native to Asia is able to breathe air and survive in very shallow waters or mud.

The Free Lance-Star (http://bit.ly/140IvhG) reports the International Game Fish Association confirmed the record catch. It beat a snakehead caught in Japan in 2004 by 2 ounces.

Newton is a 27-year-old plumber in Spotsylvania County. He has said it only took him about a minute to get it into the boat, and the 3-foot long fish barely fit into his cooler.

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Information from: The Free Lance-Star, http://www.fredericksburg.com/

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