Although it was in a cast net catching striper bait!!! This was the neatest little critter. That paddle was as long as he was. We took a couple pictures, and quickly got him back in. The topper is, I've never seen one in person, and today, we must have seen a 100 BIG paddle fish jumping out of the water. Some was RIGHT next to the boat. It was a cool experience. Made up for otherwise not so good day of catching fish.