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Alessandro Biancardi Caught 2.85-Meter Catfish in the Po River, Surpassing Record by Four Centimeters After 40-Minute Fight and Controlled Release Conducted with Witnesses
Two years ago, Italian fisherman Alessandro Biancardi, 43, caught a catfish measuring 2.85 meters in the Po River, in the province of Mantua, on a Wednesday, surpassing the world record by four centimeters and awaiting approval from the International Game Fish Association.
Capture and Initial Confirmation of the Record
According to the Italian press, the caught fish measures 2.85 meters and exceeded the previous world record for the species by four centimeters, potentially becoming the largest catfish ever caught.
The fishing took place in the Po River, in the province of Mantua, where Biancardi has been practicing sport fishing for 24 years, a period mentioned by the fisherman in a subsequent report.
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Official Measurement and Submission to IGFA
The fish’s measurement was conducted in front of ten witnesses, ensuring transparency in the process and allowing formal registration of the dimensions before the animal was returned to the river.
All documentation regarding the catch was submitted to the International Game Fish Association IGFA, the organization responsible for analyzing, validating, and officializing world records in sport fishing.
Recognition of the Madcat Team
The Madcat sport fishing team publicly celebrated the achievement of its member, highlighting that the validation process could take time, but emphasizing the historical significance of the catch.
In a statement, Madcat stated that Biancardi caught the largest catfish of all time, using the term world record catfish, as announced on its official channels.
Personal Account of the Fisherman
Biancardi used Madcat’s social media to describe the experience, stating he was trembling and had tears of joy after more than two decades dedicated to fishing.
In the account, he explained that he checked knots, hooks, and connections before starting the activity, highlighting his meticulous approach in anticipation of an exceptional fish.
The 40-Minute Fight in the Po River
The fisherman recounted that, after a powerful bite, the fish remained still for a few seconds and began a challenging struggle amidst strong currents and submerged obstacles.
Biancardi reported it took about 40 minutes for the fish to surface for the first time, at which point he realized he was dealing with a catfish of unusual dimensions.
Final Measurement and Release of the Fish
After bringing the fish to shallow waters and immobilizing it with ropes, the measurement indicated 285 cm, under the watch of other fishermen present at the site.
Despite the curiosity about the weight, the Madcat team decided not to weigh it to avoid excessive stress on the rare specimen, opting for a safe release back in the Po River, an action deemed calm by the group.
The Record Has a New Owner in 2025
Although the catch of 2.85 m was considered a record in 2023, more recent sources indicate that a catfish measuring about 2.92 m caught in Poland in 2025 surpassed this length, making this new specimen the potential largest wels catfish recorded to date.
With information from O Globo.
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