North Carolina has new graysby grouper state record

Wyatt Rabon caught NC’s new record graysby grouper

While fishing out of Southport, NC in late May 2026, Wyatt Rabon caught the new North Carolina state record graysby grouper.

The fish weighed 3 pounds, 8 ounces and not only topped the previous state record, but also tied the current world record.

Rabon caught the record-breaking grouper on a live pinfish about 45 miles offshore.

The new record almost didn’t get recorded, because Rabon and his fishing buddies were on the verge of filleting the fish when they decided to weigh the fish and check the weight of the state record.

Graysby grouper are small, reef-dwelling grouper that are distributed throughout the western Atlantic Ocean. They are identified by their light gray to olive body covered in reddish-brown spots and four pale or black dots located along the dorsal fin.

Interestingly, all graysby grouper are born females, and as they approach the age of 5, some transition into males. Small in stature, they are known as hard fighters, and like most other grouper, are highly-valued for their table fare. ■