SOUTHPORT — The first state record for the Spanish Hogfish caught by Southport resident was just certified by the state’s marine fisheries division.
Robert Timson caught the 2-pound, 11-ounce fish offshore of Frying Pan Tower nearly a year ago, on July 17, 2021. The International Game Fish Association certified Timson’s catch as the All-Tackle World Record last year, but Timson only recently applied for state recognition.
North Carolina has not recognized a Spanish Hogfish category until Timson’s submission, which the Division of Marine Fisheries created to recognize the achievement.
Timson’s fish measured 18 inches total length and had an 11-inch girth. He used a custom CTS rod with an Accurate Valiant 30 reel using crab with 30-pound test Sufix 832 braided line.
To qualify for the state record, the fish must be weighed on certified scales at an official North Carolina weigh station, and the angler must submit an application to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. The fish must be exceptionally large for North Carolina waters and within reasonable range of the world record.
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