And, The Norwegian Coalfish Makes A Thousand

There was no drum roll, no hoopla or fanfare - Just a faster heartbeat, as California Angler Steve Woznaik, hooked a small coley on July 21st, 2010. Caught in the midst of the cold waters of a Norwegien Fjord this seemingly insignificant catch, marked the finale of his 10-year quest, to become the first person to catch a thousand different species of fish.

Steve's quest began as a friendly challenge with a friend who had caught many different species. However, the challenge soon turned into an obsession - One that has cost him over $100,000 USD in cash and 200,000 hours in time.

Among the thousand species he caught, were 33 varieties of sharks including the extremely dangerous Mako shark and 14 species each of the Piranha and the venomous Puffer fish. His prey, most of which were released back into the ocean, ranged from a 900lbs Shark to a tiny Minnow, which measured in at slightly more than one inch.

It has not all been smooth sailing, for Steve has been injured several times. He has stepped on the barbed spine of a Turkey fish, gotten his fingers gnawed by a spiny Dogfish and, has experienced many a bloody hand, trying to haul up some of his gigantic prey.

While Steve may not be as famous as his namesake, the co-founder of Apple Inc. he has become a celebrity in his own right - While pursuing this goal, he has broken 12 International Game Fishing records and has five more pending confirmation. He has also traveled to many exotic places, ones he probably would have never thought of visiting otherwise.

What's next? While Steve wants to hang up his fishing rod for now, he just can't seem to be able do so. Since breaking the world record, he has continued his pursuit, adding eight new species, including a Sand Sole that he recently hooked at home in Half Moon Bay. Maybe he will stop when he gets to 2,000. We'll just have to wait and see!

Sources: sports.espn.com, dailymail.co.uk