DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
Nov. 22, 2011
African Pompano state record broken by Hilton Head angler
The S.C. Saltwater State Record for African Pompano has been broken by angler Courtland T. Babcock, III of Hilton Head Island, SC. The 44 pound 3 ounce fish was caught in 90 feet of water at the fishing location known to the locals as the “Deli” on Nov. 13th.
Babcock, 40, and several friends left from Moss Creek Marina early Sunday morning on his 23-foot Contender, “Stoner.” They had already had a successful morning of fishing, when the record-breaking fish was hooked in the early afternoon. After a 15 minute fight, the fish was brought on board, and Babcock knew he had a fish worth a trip to the scales. The fish was caught using a 4’8” Jigging Master rod paired with a Studio Oceanmark Blue Heaven reel and using a metal jig for bait.
The following day, Babcock took the fish to Hudson Seafood where John McKinlay weighed the African Pompano and S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Biologist Al Stokes certified the catch. State Record Marine Game Fish Program Coordinator Amy Dukes verified the new state record on Nov. 16. The previous African Pompano state record was held by Bryan Powell of Mount Pleasant for a 43 pound-8 ounce fish caught in June 2008.
For a current listing of the S.C. State Record Marine Game fish visit the DNR website or contact Program Coordinator Amy Dukes with the Office of Fisheries Management at (843) 953-9365 or email DukesA@dnr.sc.gov.
DNR encourages anglers to help protect our fisheries by retaining only those fish that will be consumed, and practice good handling skills for those fish that will be released. Learn more about increasing survival of the fish you release.
More News
- Dec. 3 designated youth waterfowl day
- Wild and domestic turkeys share little more than genetics
- African Pompano state record broken by Hilton Head angler
- S.C. Conservation Bank Board meets Nov. 29 in Columbia
- Lowcountry small game hunting opportunities available
- Youth coon hunt to be held in Travelers Rest on Saturday, Nov. 26
- Oyster shell recycling drop-off opens at Trask Landing in Beaufort County
- Flood insurance map community meeting set Dec. 14 in Greenville County
- 25th Annual Wild Quail Management Seminar scheduled for March 8-9, 2012
- Drought Response Committee upgrades six Upper Savannah Basin counties to severe
- Dove hunting resumes Nov. 19
- No flooding of Hickory Top (Greentree Reservoir) WMA due to drought
- Late-season migratory bird seasons underway in November
- Wild turkey reproduction remains better this summer
- Free tree stand safety harness for one student attending Nov.-Dec. Hunter Education Classes
- Freshwater fishing trends
- Saltwater fishing trends
- S.C. weekly tidetable
- DNR video
Follow DNR on the Web:
