When Matthew Marovich started fishing on August 26, 2022, he didn’t know he would catch two record-breaking fish. Leaving Sarasota on a flat, calm day with clear skies, it was a perfect day for fish and they were biting. With these ideal conditions, Marovich was able to land a new state record for red porg and a new state record for bluefish.
“Both fish were unexpected catches. I thought I had a queen snapper when I pulled out the biggest red porg I’d ever seen! Marovich said. “The blueline tilefish felt like a grouper. We were fishing for grouper, and I was using the slow jig and thought maybe there was a good size grouper or a yellow edge on the other end. I also knew that there were snow groupers in that area. Tilefish are one of my favorites to eat so it was very exciting to see such a nice blue line come to the surface.
Marovich’s red porg weighed 5.56 pounds, beating the previous record of 4.8 pounds set in 2019, and his bluefish weighed 10.55 pounds, beating the previous record of 5.4 pounds set in 2021.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains state records in the conventional and fly fishing categories for 81 species taken in Florida state and federal waters. Saltwater record holders receive a certificate of achievement, a personalized prize pack and recognition in various publications.
To obtain a record, the catch must be weighed on a certified scale on the ground and photographs must be submitted that clearly show the weight on the scale, the certification of the scale, the rod and reel used to make the catch. the catch, the fisherman with his catch. , and various views of the fish for identification purposes. The fisherman’s signature on a completed application form must be witnessed by a notary public.
For information and to view current records, visit CatchaFloridaMemory.com and click on “Records,” contact [email protected] or call 850-487-0554.
Florida Saltwater Fishing Records is 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. For more information and to submit catches, visit Catcha FloridaMemory.com. Check out the latest catches and see your highlights by following the Catch a Florida Memory Facebook page, Facebook.com/CatchaFLMemory, and see anglers’ catches and more on Instagram by following @MyFWC.