When they were on the river near Alton, Reese felt something grab his line. After pulling the fish up, the 8-year-old discovered that he landed a 59.6-pound catfish that was nearly the size of him.

The Perez family said they booked a guided excursion with Captain Wally of Show Me Catfishing, a St. Louis-based fishing service, over the break with their son Reese. And the trip did not disappoint.