The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record jolthead porgy.
Randy Brock of Pickens, S.C. reeled in the 14-pound, 14-ounce fish May 27 while fishing off Calabash. The fish measured 26 inches from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail and had a girth of 24 inches.
The former state record jolthead porgy weighed 11 pounds, 8 ounces and was caught south of Hatteras Inlet in 1978. The world record jolthead porgy weighed 23 pounds, 4 ounces and was caught off Madeira Beach, Fla., in 1990.
Brock caught his fish using squid tentacles for bait on a circle hook with 80-pound test fishing line on a Penn 6/0 Special Senator rod and reel.
He was fishing on the for-hire vessel Game On, out of Calabash.
For more information, contact Carole Willis, with the North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament, at 252-808-8081 or carole.y.willis@ncdenr.gov.
