Three fish, a yellowmouth grouper, a white grunt, and an almaco jack fish, were recently certified as state fishing records by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. The yellowmouth grouper, caught by Christopher Hyche, weighed 23 pounds and was just short of a world record. Yellowmouth groupers are known for their yellow coloring on the inside and corners of their mouths. Another record was set by Joshua Pendleton, who caught a 5-pound, 3.2-ounce white grunt measuring 20.38 inches. The third record was an almaco jack caught by Roberto Cancel III, weighing 33 pounds, 12.16 ounces.
The white grunt fish has a light bluish-gray body with touches of bronze or yellow and make a grunting noise by grinding pharyngeal teeth together. Pendleton mentioned that his partner, who has fished in those waters for 30 years, was impressed by the size of the grunt he caught. It only took Pendleton a few minutes to reel in the fish. North Carolina’s coastal waters are known for being a great fishing destination, and the Division of Marine Fisheries certifies several new state records each year. Most record applications are typically received in the summer when the weather warms up.
The DMF’s sport fishing specialist mentioned that there have been several world record fish landed in North Carolina, showcasing the phenomenal fishing opportunities along the coast. Fish that swim in North Carolina’s coastal waters out to three miles offshore are considered part of the coastal fisheries and are a public trust resource. Migratory fish can be found traveling up and down the East Coast, ranging from three to 200 miles offshore. The DMF continues to certify state records, and the anglers are excited about setting new records and the recognition that comes with it.
The yellowmouth grouper caught by Hyche was nearly at an International Game Fish Association recognized world record weight. Despite falling just short of the record, the fish was still an exceptional catch. Pendleton, who set a record for the white grunt fish, mentioned that he knew he had something special when his experienced partner was impressed by the size of the fish he caught. Cancel III’s almaco jack fish record was attained after a challenging 30-minute battle to reel in the 33-pound, 12.16-ounce fish.
Fishing enthusiasts in North Carolina can anticipate setting more state records in the future, as the coastal waters are known for the variety of fish available to catch. The thrill of reeling in a record-breaking fish adds excitement to the sport, and the recognition from the Division of Marine Fisheries further enhances the achievements of the anglers. The fish swimming in North Carolina’s coastal waters are part of a public trust resource, and the DMF continues to monitor and certify state fishing records each year. The coastal waters of North Carolina offer an exceptional fishing experience for anglers of all levels.
In conclusion, the recent state fishing records set in North Carolina showcase the exceptional fishing opportunities available along the coast. The dedication and skill of anglers like Hyche, Pendleton, and Cancel III have resulted in setting new state records for various fish species. The recognition from the Division of Marine Fisheries highlights the importance of protecting and preserving the public trust resource of fish in North Carolina’s coastal waters. As anglers continue to fish in these waters and set new records, the thrill and excitement of the sport will persist, making North Carolina a premier fishing destination.
