Fisherman Sets State Red Grouper Record

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY – An Oak Island fisherman established a new state record for red grouper this fall.

Chuck Deeter of Oak Island caught the fish Oct. 13 off Atlantic Beach while fishing with Capt. Anthony Ng of Fish-Ng Charters.

The fish weighed in at 33 pounds, 8 ounces at Anchorage Marina in Atlantic Beach. The fish measured 35 inches in total length and had a 25.5 inch girth.

Deeter caught the fish on natural cut bait using hand-crank reels. The record grouper was one of several large fish that the charter caught that day.

There previously had been no state record for red grouper. Deeter’s fish met the criteria for establishing a new state record in that it was exceptional in size for North Carolina waters, and it was within a reasonable size range of the world record.

The world record red grouper was 42 pounds 4 ounces and was caught in St. Augustine, Fla.

Deeter will receive a framed certificate for his catch.

For more information, contact Carole Willis, N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament coordinator, at 1-800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021.

Deeter can be reached by telephone at (910) 338-1590 or by e-mail at cdeeter@ec.rr.com.