Brunswick man shatters African Pompano state record

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.

Photo: Mike McCullough Jr. (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

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.

Jennifer Roberts of Springfield, Georgia holds the women’s record. The 25-pound, 13-ounce pompano was caught July 17, 2016 while trolling near Navy Tower M2R6 – 49 nautical miles NE of Blackbeard Island.

“The African pompano is common in tropical waters throughout the world but is rare as far north as Georgia,” says Spud Woodward, Ga DNR Coastal Resources Director when Roberts landed her fish. “Due to its body shape and size, an adult African pompano is a formidable opponent on light tackle, and excellent table fare like other pompano 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.