Florida gives anglers new way to log their record-breaking fish while still promoting catch-and-release
Catching a fish so big it’s a state record is a dream of many an angler.
Until now, that meant weighing and usually killing the fish, but next year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching three new categories, including adult and youth categories for catch-and-release length records.
All told, there will be five state record categories:
- All-tackle by weight
- Fly fishing by weight
- New catch-and-release by length
- New catch-and-release by length for youth age 15 and under
- New all-tackle by weight for youth age 15 and under
Some of the state’s more coveted gamefish — snook, redfish, bonefish and permit — will be eligible for the catch-and-release youth and adult length categories.
This allows for new state records for some species that have slot limits. For example, anglers can only harvest snook in-season if they are between 28 and 32 (some areas have a 33-inch maximum). Previously, if you caught a 50-inch snook, like Pat and Aaron Robertson did in 2020, you could not possess it long enough to weigh it and break the state record of 45 pounds, 12 ounces.
As of 2024, they could simply measures the fish, take a picture, and quickly let her go to reproduce again. That 50-inch fish could then go down in Florida history as a new state length record.
The new youth all-tackle weight category has more species available. They include blackfin tuna, cobia, dolphinfish, flounder, gray (mangrove) snapper, gray triggerfish, hardhead catfish, red grouper, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout and yellowtail snapper. In the coming years, the FWC hopes to add more species to the youth weight category.
Weight records usually mean killing fish because getting an official weight is complicated.
“The catch must be weighed using a certified scale on land,” says the FWC website. “A certified scale is one that has been checked and certified for accuracy by government agencies or other qualified and accredited organizations. A valid scale certification number must be included on the application form. … A witness must view the weighing and have their information recorded on the application form. … Photographs clearly showing the weight on the scale must be submitted.”
To qualify for any of these records, anglers must submit a completed application form with their signature and a notary stamp.
“Applications must be accompanied by digital or print photographs clearly showing the gear used to make the catch, the angler with their catch, various views of the fish for identification purposes, and required weight or length verification photos,” said an FWC release.
To qualify for a length record, the fish must be measured using a flat length measuring device with photographs showing measurement increments clearly visible. Officials will also accept videos for youth and adult length record categories.
Applications are available at CatchaFloridaMemory.com/Records. This page will be updated with the new categories on Jan. 1, 2024.
If the FWC approves a record, any new record fish would need to be half an inch longer than the previous record.
The whole point of catch-and-release fishing is for large breeding fish to survive and produce lots of offspring. To that end, the FWC said they’ll nix anyone’s application if it appears they mishandled the fish. To view best handling practices, visit MyFWC.com/FishHandling.
The categories go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Bill Kearney covers the environment, the outdoors and tropical weather. He can be reached at bkearney@sunsentinel.com. Follow him on Instagram @billkearney or on X @billkearney6.