PHILADELPHIA, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A quiet night of fishing turned into a lifetime of memories for Jam Ferguson on Tuesday after reeling in a huge black crappie.

"My adrenaline was pumping, my wheels was turning, and I was just excited when I got it in," Ferguson said.

Ferguson said he was fishing at a friend's private pond in the Philadelphia area of Loudon County when he got the big crappie on the line.

"I called my wife and I said, 'Baby, you ain't gonna believe this,'" Ferguson said. "I told her it was a black crappie, I said, 'I think it's the state record.'"

By weight alone, the fish beats the old state record by a full pound. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials said the fish weighs five pounds and four ounces. The current record is four pounds and four ounces.

TWRA said a DNA test will show if the black crappie is full crappie or a hybrid. If it's a hybrid, the record will not count. TWRA agent Anthony Chitwood explained the process.

"They have to key the fish out, count the number of spines on the fins to make sure it is actually a black crappie and not a hybrid or a cross," Chitwood said. "They clip a fin to send off for a DNA profile, and that's about it."

If the DNA results hold, the fish could be a world record. The current record for black crappie belongs to John Horstman of Missouri, weighing in at 2.26 kg (5 lb, 0 oz).

As of Wednesday, Ferguson still was awaiting confirmation from the International Game Fish Association. He said that even if the fish is not a record breaker, he is beyond happy with the catch.

"I'm still excited. I mean, if it's hybrid or not a state record, I'm still excited about this fish I have caught," Ferguson said.