9-year-old Maryland girl reels in 94.6 pound fish

Ocean City, Md. (WMDT) — 9-year-old Emma Zadjel of Ocean City described her fight with the largest cobia ever caught in the state of Maryland. “The fish was pulling and we ended up from over here to over there,” said Emma.

On June 30^th, the 4 ft., 65 lb. junior angler hauled in a massive 5.5 ft, 94.6 lb. fish just east of Assateague Island.

“We thought it was a shark when the fin popped up,” said Emma. “Once we got it closer to the boat and tied the tail, we got it on the boat and we finally figured out what it was.”

Emma said she was accompanied by her father and their friends, Robert and Ashton Clarke. She said on the day they set out to catch some fish, she was expecting to come back to shore with the usual.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, a cobia fishery is closed off within federal waters. But if it makes its way into Maryland waters, it’s fair game.

Emma said, “I started reeling it in and every now and then, Mr. Robert would have to pull me back so I didn’t go over the edge.”

Emma admits she had some good help in winning the 20-minute battle with the cobia. Thanks to her fishing buddy Ashton, the lines were cleared so she could continue fighting her enormous foe.