S.C. Angler Sets New Pompano State Record

Courtland T. Babcock has broken the South Carolina state record for African pompano with a 44-pound 3-ounce catch, beating the old record of 43-pounds, 8-ounces set back in 2008.

The Hilton Head Island resident caught the pompano on Nov. 13 in a fishing spot the locals call the ?Deli.?

Babcock, 40, was fishing with many friends on his 23-foot Contender, "Stoner." They already had a successful morning of fishing before Babcock caught the record-breaking fish in the early afternoon in 90 feet of water. The fish was brought on board after 15 minutes of fighting, and Babcock knew he had a fish worthy of a trip to the scales. He caught the pompano with a 4?8? Jigging Master rod paired with a Studio Oceanmark Blue Heaven reel and using a metal jig for bait.

The day after his catch, 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.

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 [email protected].