Three North Carolina anglers have recently broken state fishing records with their impressive catches. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) certified a yellowmouth grouper, a white grunt, and an almaco jack fish as new state records.
Christopher Hyche caught a yellowmouth grouper weighing 23 pounds and measuring 33.5 inches, just shy of a world record. Yellowmouth groupers are known for their yellow coloring on the inside of their mouths and typically weigh up to 20 pounds.
Joshua Pendleton set his own record by catching a 5-pound, 3.2-ounce white grunt, which was the biggest his fishing partner had ever seen in 30 years of fishing. White grunt fish have a light bluish-gray body with touches of bronze or yellow and make a grunting noise by grinding their teeth together.
Roberto Cancel III landed a 33-pound almaco jack fish after a 30-minute battle. North Carolina is recognized as a great fishing destination, with the DMF certifying several new state records each year, especially during the summer months.
The DMF’s sport fishing specialist highlighted the phenomenal fishing opportunities along the North Carolina coast, where world record fish are frequently landed. Fish found in North Carolina’s coastal waters are considered a public trust resource, and migratory fish travel up and down the East Coast, ranging from three to 200 miles offshore.
Overall, these impressive catches showcase the abundance of fishing opportunities in North Carolina’s waters, attracting anglers from near and far. The thrill of breaking state records adds excitement to the fishing experience and highlights the diverse marine life that calls North Carolina home.