by Brynna Williamson
“I once caught a fish this long.” The angler holds out her arms wide, the impossible measurement growing wider every second. But here’s the “catch,” pun intended – she actually did catch a fish that huge. It’s on record. Yes, I said “she”, and that “she” happens to be just 10 years old.
Kadence Fisher Oliver grew up fishing in and around East Texas with her brother, Hunter Gauge Oliver, their dad William and their mom Brittany. Kadence has learned the joys and peace of fishing since she was really little. In fact, the love for fishing is something that Kadence learned from William, who is a professional fishing guide. He, in turn, learned it from another unexpected but experienced angler – his mom. “My mom took me fishing a lot when I was young,” said William. “She’s always loved it.”
To date, the 10-year-old angler has broken 6 fishing records. Should we be surprised, when her middle name is literally “Fisher?”
A few years ago, Kadence starred in a viral video taken by her dad and posted to social media. In the video, little Kadence is fishing alone from the lake bank wearing a cute little sun dress, and has no idea she’s being video recorded. She gets a bite, reels out the slack, and sets the hook like a seasoned pro while shouting “BOOM-SHAKALAKA!” while landing her catch. The video was one that you had to watch again and again and was sure to put a smile on your face each time.
Over the course of her fishing “career,” Kadence has broken the record for black crappie in the youth division on Lake Palestine; the water body record for channel catfish on Lake Palestine (which had remained unbroken for 26 years before Kadence came along); for blue cat in the youth division on Lake Palestine; for channel cat in the youth division on Lake Palestine; for youth flathead on Lake Jacksonville; and the water body record, also on Lake Jacksonville.
These are not to mention Kadence’s many wins in various tournaments throughout the years.
But if you’re wondering about the longest fish Kadence has ever caught, you’ll have to ask William. Kadence, with characteristic sweetness, doesn’t really know what it is off the top of her head.
According to William, her longest catch was nothing less, of course, than an alligator gar measuring just shy of 7 feet long. It’s worth noting that the world record for alligator gar measured only a foot and a half longer than hers. Oh, and Kadence was only 5 years old at the time she caught it.
“Yeah. I had to sit on the pole to reel it in,” she said matter-of-factly.
Aside from the obvious, what’s truly interesting about Kadence’s record-breaking catches is that she never went in pursuit of the records. “They just “swam” into her proverbial lap,” say the Olivers.
“It’s funny that any of them have come about, because it’s definitely not something that we’ve chased or anything else; it’s just that she happens to catch some really nice fish,” said William.
“I do feel good about it,” Kadence said with a little laugh. “I mean, if I didn’t have my dad I wouldn’t be able to catch any. So yeah, (I’m just) lucky I guess.”
Although she no longer holds all of the records that she’s broken, the 10-year-old still finds it amusing to hear reactions to her phenomenal catches.
“Like, they’ll be like ‘Oh my gosh, I guess he caught that,’ and my dad’s like ‘No, she did it,’ and they’re like ‘Huh????’” she said.
But no worries, anglers: Kadence has tried-and-true advice that she imparts to those who do want to pursue the records.
“Just keep trying, like if one gets off,” she said. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, maybe it is that simple.
Or at least, it seems to be for Kadence: her catfish tournament victories for 2024 include 1st place and top finishing place for youth at Lake Tawakoni; 1st place and top finishing place for youth at Lake Whitney; 1st place, the big fish award, and top finishing place for youth at Lake Waco; 1st place, the big fish award, and top finishing place for youth at Lake Somerville… you get the drift.
Kadence and William also received 1st place, the big fish awards for days one and two, overall big fish award for the year, top finishing youth award (Kadence), and the Angler of the Year award at the Lake Richland Chambers two-day championships in December.
With such a successful record behind her and a whole future in front of her, what are Kadence’s next steps?
“Honestly? One of my cousins has (a record) that he took from me; so I’m trying to get that one back,” she said seriously.
As she continues breaking records and inspiring young anglers, Kadence has her sights set on even bigger goals—perhaps even a world record one day. But for now, she’s happy just doing what she loves: casting her line, enjoying the great outdoors, and showing the world that even the youngest anglers can make a big splash.
Keep an eye on this rising fishing star—something tells us this is only the beginning of her incredible journey!
Best of luck to you, Kadence.
