Fisherman Targets 2,500 Fish in 24 Hours for Veterans

A Polish kid from Gary, Indiana is about to spend 24 hours straight pulling fish from the water, and every single catch supports military families and kids learning to fish.

Jeff "Kolo" Kolodzinski holds the Guinness World Record for catching 2,143 fish in 24 hours, set back in 2010. But he's quietly blown past that mark multiple times since, including an eye-popping 3,774 fish in a single day in 2022.

This weekend at Camp Dallas in Spring Bay, Illinois, he's going after 2,500 fish to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The marathon runs from 5 p.m. Friday, September 4th through 5 p.m. Saturday, and every fish caught raises awareness and funds for the nonprofit camp.

Kolodzinski isn't using heavy tackle or fancy technology. His setup comes from European match fishing: a 10-foot pole, 10 feet of line, a tiny barbless hook, and a precision float that registers the faintest nibble.

He learned the technique from Mick Thill, the American who introduced European float fishing to the U.S., and represented Team USA seven times at the World Championship of Freshwater Fishing. "Everything I learned fishing internationally, reading the float, managing the smallest details, that's what lets me keep the pace up for 24 hours without falling apart," he said.

Camp Dallas offers free fishing programs and outdoor education to youth, families, veterans, and first responders. It's a place to unplug from screens and reconnect with nature and each other.

The Ripple Effect

For nearly 20 years, Kolodzinski has turned fishing marathons into fundraising events, using his rod to spotlight organizations doing good work. Last year alone, 57 million Americans went fishing, making it one of the country's most accessible outdoor activities.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of his Marathon Man events, and he's expanding nationally. Through a partnership with Fishing Chaos, anglers anywhere in the U.S. can participate in a month-long National Fishing Challenge starting September 4th, logging their own catches and competing for prizes.

The platform reached 236,000 unique users last month, giving the event its biggest audience ever. "Records are fine, but the only thing that really matters is people," Kolodzinski said. "In the end, this isn't about fishing or records, it's about people."

One man, one pole, 2,500 fish, and a mission that reminds us the best records are the ones that lift others up.