Matt Frattasio’s 26+ pound Almaco Jack is new NC state record
Matt Frattasio was visiting North Carolina’s coast when he caught a 26-pound, 15.6-ounce Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana) on Nov. 8. The big fish established a new state record for the Old North State.
Frattasio was fishing with Riptide Charters, targeting bottom fish near the D Wreck off Morehead City when he landed the fish. He was using live menhaden in about 80 feet of water. He was fishing with 50-pound braided line spooled onto a Daiwa Saltist MQ 14000 reel, which was mounted on a Hogy Tuna jigging rod.
The fish was 36.4 inches fork length, and had a girth of 26 inches. Staff members of the Division of Marine Fisheries positively identified the fish. They also weighed and measured the fish at the Division’s headquarters in Morehead City.
Prior to that catch, North Carolina did not have an entry for the species. When an exceptionally large specimen of a species that is not currently on the state records list is caught, Marine Fisheries will add it if the fish’s weight is similar or better than the state records in nearby states.
Georgia is the closest state that lists Almaco Jack on their records list. Their state record for the species is slightly more than 7 pounds. Florida’s state record is 35 pounds, 9 ounces.
To see a full list of North Carolina’s state record saltwater fish, visit their website at deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries.
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