A Brunswick angler recently set a new men's state saltwater gamefish record for African Pompano caught Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.

Alvin Dezern caught the 37-pound, 1.28-ounce African Pompano (Alectis ciliaris) using menhaden bait while bottom fishing approximately 43 miles east-southeast of St. Simons Island. The previous record for African Pompano was 23-pounds, 14.4-ounces, caught by Mike McCullough Jr. of Savannah in August 2018.

Dezern’s catch was weighed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in Brunswick using a scale certified by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Dezern will receive a certificate signed by Gov. Brian Kemp acknowledging his catch, and the record will be added to the list published at CoastalGaDNR.org/RecreationalFishing. It will also be included in the 2020 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations guide distributed statewide.

For a current list of men’s and women’s saltwater gamefish records, as well as information about submitting an entry for record consideration, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/RecreationalFishing and click the “Official Rules” link. All applications must include color photographs. Check the official rules for minimum weights for several species.

Anglers wishing to enter a fish for a new state record must have the fish weighed on a Georgia Department of Agriculture certified scale in the presence of at least one witness. Certified scales can be found at local seafood markets, grocery stores and agricultural supply stores. During business hours, anglers can have their catch weighed at the Coastal Regional Headquarters, One Conservation Way in Brunswick.

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