A 12-year-old Ellijay boy already had plenty of true fishing stories to tell before recently catching a verified record setter.
That record-breaking white crappie may become a go-to fishing story for young Chandler Watkins, who reeled in the 3-pound, 4.9-ounce fish during a February trip to Carters Lake with his dad, Brian, and grandpa, Elmer.
“This is my first crappie,” Chandler confirmed.
Fishing together has become a tradition for the three, Brian noted.
“We all fish together on Carters Lake every weekend,” he said.
The proud father used to fish the same lake with his dad as a kid, and the family fishing trips normally start hours before daybreak.
“We used to get up at the same time and everything when I was young,” Brian said.
Chandler has been going out on the lake since he was a baby, his dad said.
“He was probably 6 when he could actually (start fishing) himself,” Brian added.
According to Georgia Outdoor News, the previous Carters Lake record for white crappie was 2 pounds. The record for black crappie is 2 pounds, 1 ounce. The freshwater game fish normally weigh closer to a pound or less, Brian noted.
“I’ve never seen one that big in my life,” he added.
The fish was verified as a record breaker by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“When you catch a fish, you’ve got a scale on the boat and you weigh it so you know if you’re close to the record. You have to take the fish to the DNR and they weigh it on a certified scale,” Brian explained.
Some of the Carters Lake fishing records go as far back as 1987, and most are held by adults, Brian confirmed. The previous white crappie record was set in 2019.
“There’s starting to be a lot more kids getting involved in (fishing) and breaking records here lately,” Brian said.
Brian said he, Chandler and Elmer usually fish the lake for striper.
“They’re huge fish and they fight so hard. If you catch one over 25 pounds it can take you up to an hour just to get it in the boat,” he added. “It’s a saltwater fish, but they can live in freshwater. Carters has some big striper in it. It’s a trophy striper lake.”
Chandler also came close to setting a lake record for striper a little while back.
“Last year, he got real close,” Brian said. “He got a 31 pounder and I think the lake record is 36.”
The three usually turn whatever they catch back to water. The record-setting crappie was kept, though, and has been sent to a taxidermist to become a trophy.
Chandler said he also enjoys hunting for deer and squirrel with his dad. A seventh grader at Clear Creek Middle School, he’s already thinking about joining the high school fishing team when he gets to GHS.
For now, he’s content to spend more time out on the lake with his fellow family anglers.
“I enjoy it because I get to hang out with my grandpa. He’s almost 78 years old, and I like to spend as much time with him as I can. I get to enjoy the outdoors and catch big fish,” Chandler said.