Conservation — These Alabama fishers are impressing us! (Billy Pope / ADCNR Facebook)

Whew, that’s one massive fish on the line. Alabama Gulf Seafood announced that multiple state records for the weight of select saltwater fish were broken from October 2021 to October 2022. Read on to learn about which fish were caught.

That’s one big catch

Fishing — Talk about BIG fish. (Alabama Gulf Seafood / Facebook)

Between October 2021 and October 2022, 11 fish were put into Alabama’s record books. Some types of fish even had multiple records made, including the Sheepshead—a common catch among anglers—and the Elusive Permit Fish.

Elusive Permit Fish, 6lbs, 0.54oz: caught by Annalise Wilson
Elusive Permit Fish, 8lbs, 2.4oz: caught by Annalise Wilson
Sheepshead, 14lbs, 4oz: caught by Wesley Olsen
Sheepshead, 16lbs, 6.6oz: caught by Kendale Jeans

“We are thrilled about both the size and number of fish we are seeing from our anglers. More Alabamians are getting out on the water and enjoying our state’s abundant fishing opportunities.”
Scott Bannon, Director of the Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Other record-setting fish include:

Blackjack, 13lbs, 1.6oz: caught by William Atkins
Blackline Tilefish, 1lb, 6.4oz: caught by Gavin Dunnam
Horse-Eye Jack, 30lbs, 4oz: caught by Bennie Goldman Jr.
Jolthead Porgy, 9lbs, 2.88oz: caught by Chase Mitchell
Lizardfish, 1lb, 11.2oz: caught by Nelson Wingo
Red Cornetfish, 2lbs, 5.4oz: caught by Wayne Akin
Silvery John Dory, 5lbs, 0.28oz: caught by Mark Russo

How were all of these records set?

Technology has a way of making our lives easier, and fishing is no exception. There are a lot of new advanced fishing electronics available, including better boats, radars, safety equipment and more.

“The advance technology the fishing industry has seen in over the last few years is a definitive reason for the increase in large fish we are seeing. People are not only more comfortable going out deeper on offshore trips, but they are bearing better fruit.”
Scott Bannon, Director of the Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Do you want more buzzy news like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our FREE newsletter.