Retired firefighter reels in 96 pound fish in Encinitas

ENCINITAS (KUSI) – There are plenty of fish in the sea, but a man in Encinitas did not let this one get away.

Keith Bridges from Mission Viejo was fishing with his friends on Thursday when he reeled in a 96-pound "Opah." 

The 63-year-old retired firefighter said it was his biggest catch in 40 years of fishing.

Bridges plans to donate the carcass portion of the fish to a research facility and the rest will be dinner.

How did he do it? He used a live sardine as bait.

Bridges told KUSI he has a lot to celebrate this week, his wedding anniversary, a new grandkid and now this fish.