Atlanta Angler Sets New Women’s State Record for Florida Pompano

The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has certified a new women’s state saltwater angling record for Florida pompano. Chandler E. Simon, 18, of Atlanta, landed a 3 pound, 6 ounce Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) while fishing Christmas Creek in Camden County on Nov. 25, 2025.

Simon’s catch eclipsed the previous women’s state record of 2 pounds, 3.52 ounces, set in October 2023 by Bycie S. Curlett of Jacksonville, Fla. Simon was fishing aboard a charter captained by Jeremy Petro of Island Lure Charters when she landed the fish. She was using a Penn Squadron rod paired with a Penn Battle III 3000 reel, spooled with 30-pound braided line, and a 2/0 circle hook baited with live shrimp.

To commemorate her achievement, Simon will receive a state record certificate signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon, and CRD Director Doug Haymans. Her name will also appear in the next Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations Guide and on CRD’s state saltwater records webpage at CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords for as long as the record stands.

The Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources verifies saltwater fish records using certified scales and positive species identification. For more information about Georgia’s saltwater fishing records or how to submit a potential record, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords.