FWC approves new Florida Saltwater Fishing Records

[FloridaFishinFool]

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/200e91e

FWC approves new Florida Saltwater Fishing Records
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 07/24/2018 11:42 AM EDT
July 24, 2018

FWC approves new Florida Saltwater Fishing Records

Five new Florida Saltwater Fishing Records were approved in the past year, including an 826-pound, 8-ounce bluefin tuna caught by Rick Whitley off Destin, along with Capt. Joey Birbeck and mates, Dennis Bennett and Josh Goodson, of the vessel "You Never Know." Whitley's impressive catch took the vacant bluefin tuna state record slot, filling the final vacancy in the conventional tackle category.


Rick Whitley and his record bluefin tuna, along with Capt. Joey Birbeck and mates, Dennis Bennett and Josh Goodson, of the vessel "You Never Know." Photo courtesy of Rick Whitley.

Other record catches approved in the past year include a 4-pound, 8-ounce hardhead catfish caught by Ethan Pillitteri; a 35-pound, 9-ounce almaco jack caught by Lewis Sapp; a 2-pound kingfish (whiting) caught by Raymond A. Hathorn, Jr.; and a 26-pound horse-eye jack caught by Sharon Kartrude Pryel. Saltwater record holders receive a certificate of accomplishment and a prize pack, and beginning this year will be awarded a custom ink fish print to memorialize their catch, courtesy of Fish Print Shop.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains state all-tackle records for the heaviest marine fishes caught in Florida waters, or in federal waters extending directly outward of Florida state waters, for 77 species in both conventional tackle and fly-fishing categories. There are still several vacancies left for anglers to fill in the fly-fishing tackle category.

To qualify for the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program the catch must be weighed on a certified scale. The angler's signature on a completed application form must be witnessed by a notary. Photographs of the angler with their catch are required. Species that are difficult to identify must be confirmed by a qualified fisheries biologist. For more information and to view current records, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com and click on "Programs" and "Florida Saltwater Fishing Records", or contact AnglerRecognition@MyFWC.com or 850-487-0554.

Florida Saltwater Fishing Records are part of FWC's Catch a Florida Memory – Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs. Anglers can gain recognition for catching record-sized fish and for participating in the Saltwater Fish Life List, Saltwater Reel Big Fish and Saltwater Grand Slams. Programs recognize anglers for their fishing efforts, while encouraging them to target a diversity of species and strengthening marine fisheries conservation ethics. To learn more and submit catches, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com.

[Lipripper]

Now that a big Tuna  That would put up one heck of a fight on a rod and reel.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Yes it would Lip. A fish that big would be hard for one person to handle the entire fight. So I am wondering what rules are on a catch like this one. What if the rod is passed around during the fight? Who gets to claim the record? He who hooked it or he who landed it? Or rod owner?

I recall a story from a few years ago when the Japanese drove up the price of tuna by bidding on it. One 440 pound tuna sold for over $100,000.00.

But Lip when I see a tuna like that I'm thinking sushi and seared blackened tuna steaks.

[FloridaFishinFool]

I forgot to mention something interesting I found out yesterday... My boys and I are vacationing on the beach in cocoa beach. A wildlife demonstration was put on here at the resort and he told us some local divers are busy off the coast here killing every lion fish they can find because they are an invasive species.
But what is cool is that these divers are connected to specific local restaurants who are serving up fresh lion fish.

So tonight we are going to sample some of this invasive species for dinner.

Right now the boys are making slime in the activities center and I'm sampling fully loaded drinks 2 for 1.

[Lipripper]

I forgot to mention something interesting I found out yesterday... My boys and I are vacationing on the beach in cocoa beach. A wildlife demonstration was put on here at the resort and he told us some local divers are busy off the coast here killing every lion fish they can find because they are an invasive species.
But what is cool is that these divers are connected to specific local restaurants who are serving up fresh lion fish.

So tonight we are going to sample some of this invasive species for dinner.

Right now the boys are making slime in the activities center and I'm sampling fully loaded drinks 2 for 1.

I saw a video on them killing them Lion fish down there. It would be intersting to know the rules on passing the rod off to anothe person if it would count as a record. I know on some fish you can't do that or it won't count.

[Pferox]

I thought that IGFA rules didn't allow passing the rod.

I hear those lion fish are a PIA for swimmers and the like.  I also remember reading somewhere where they were trying to train Gag Grouper to eat them or something like that, can't remember now.

Nice to hear that they are going to a good cause like food.