FWC approves three new Florida Saltwater Fishing Records
It’s been a great summer for three Florida anglers, Captain Sidney Little, Mark John Gibner and Anthony Mastitski, who each landed a Florida Saltwater All-tackle Fishing Record for (respectively) whiting, scamp and schoolmaster!
Whiting (Gulf kingfish)
Captain Sidney Little caught the latest Gulf kingfish (whiting) Florida Saltwater Fishing Record on April 7 while fishing at Santa Rosa Beach. Sidney’s 2.8-pound catch beat out the previous record of 2.4-pounds, which was set earlier this year by angler Joseph Peckham.
Scamp
A new Florida Saltwater Fishing Record for scamp was set by Mark John Gibner during a fishing expedition near John’s Pass Marina in Pinellas County on June 11. His 29.6-pound scamp beat the previous record of 28.38 pounds set by Braden Douglas Pursell in April 2002.
“I think that for the first 20 feet or so, the fish didn’t know that it was hooked,” said Gibner. “When it did, it started to dig. At first, as he was pulling drag, I had to palm my reel to slow him down. But after a short back and forth, I finally got the upper hand and was able to land him with lots of enthusiasm from my friends.”
Schoolmaster
Anthony Mastitski filled the vacant schoolmaster category, which was opened Jan. 1, 2019. Mastitski’s 2.07-pound schoolmaster was caught in Broward County on July 27.
Claim Your Record Today
Want to claim your own state record? It’s easier than you think. There are currently no records listed for white grunt or blueline tilefish in the all-tackle category. There are also numerous fly-fishing tackle categories with vacant records, giving anglers an exciting opportunity to hold the record for these species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains state records in all-tackle and fly-fishing categories for 81 species caught in Florida state waters and adjacent federal waters. Saltwater record holders receive a certificate of accomplishment, prize pack, recognition in various publications, and a custom ink fish print to memorialize their catch courtesy of Fish Print Shop.
How to Qualify for a Record
To qualify for a record, the catch must be weighed on land with a certified scale, and photographs must be submitted clearly showing the weight displayed on the scale, the scale’s certification, the rod and reel used to make the catch, the angler with their catch, and various views of the fish for identification purposes. The angler’s signature on a completed application form must be witnessed by a notary. Here's a link to the application form: catchafloridamemory.com/graphics/ui/programs/records/saltwaterrecordsapplication.pdf.
For more information and to view current records, click here: catchafloridamemory.com/programs/records, email AnglerRecognition@MyFWC.com or call 850-487-0554.
Florida Saltwater Fishing Records are part of FWC’s Catch a Florida Memory – Saltwater Angler Recognition program, which rewards anglers for their fishing efforts while encouraging them to target a diversity of species. To learn more and submit catches, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com. Check out the latest catches at Facebook.com/CatchaFLMemory or Instagram.com/MyFWC.
Your purchase of fishing equipment, motorboat fuel and a fishing license supports aquatic education and outreach efforts. Learn more at MyFWC.com/SFR.