A Georgia angler at
Lake Russell recently broke his own South Carolina state record for
striped bass by 3 1/2 pounds with a 63-pound "monster." This also
ties the Georgia state record from 1967.
Terry McConnell, from Eastanolle, GA, was in the main channel of
Coldwater Creek on Lake Russell on Sunday, April 3 and was
freelining blueback herring. McConnell hung on for thirty minutes as
the striper nearly un-spooled the 30-pound test line from his 6500
Ambassadeur baitcasting reel on a 7-foot Ugly Stik.
McConnell and his fishing partner, son-in-law Daniel Moore of
Royston, GA, took the fish to Lake Hartwell Fish and Marine on Hwy.
24 outside of Anderson, SC and had the fish weighed on state
certified scales at 63-pounds. The scales did not read in one ounce
graduations and likely would have weighed in at 63-pounds 4-ounces.
The striped bass was certified officially as the new state record -
exceeding the standing record by 3 1/2 pounds - by Dan Rankin,
regional fisheries biologist for the S.C. Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) in Clemson. The fish had a total length of 49 1/2
inches and a girth of 34 inches.
McConnell's fish replaces his own South Carolina all-tackle record
for freshwater striped bass (Morone saxatilis) a 59-pound, 8-ounce
striped bass caught on Feb. 3, 2002 on Lake Hartwell.
Anglers who think they have a new state or world record freshwater
fish should take it as soon as possible to the nearest set of state
certified scales - such as grocery store scales. Two people at least
18 years old should witness the weighing of a potential state record
fish. The witnesses will need to sign a state affidavit form once
the angler obtains it from the DNR, so be sure to get the witnesses'
addresses and phone numbers.
If you think you've caught a state record fish, take immediate steps
to preserve the fish until a state fisheries biologist can verify
it. It can be placed on ice, but freezing is preferred. Lightly wet
the fish and wrap it in a dark, plastic bag. If possible, take a
picture of the fish while it is still fresh for additional
documentation. To record the fish officially, contact Barbara Hasty,
Freshwater Fish Records Program, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Division, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202, (803) 734-3891.
Freshwater all-tackle sportfishing records are kept for 32 species:
Striped Bass, White Bass, Hybrid Bass, White Perch, Largemouth Bass,
Spotted Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Redeye Bass, Bluegill (Bream),
Shellcracker, Redbreast, Warmouth, Flier, Pumpkinseed, White
Crappie, Black Crappie, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout,
Sauger, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Chain Pickerel (Jackfish), Redfin
Pike, Muskellunge (Muskie), Blue Catfish, Bullhead Catfish, Channel
Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Catfish, Mudfish (Bowfin) and
American Shad.
Fish eligible for consideration by the South Carolina Freshwater
Sportfishing Records Program must be caught by sport means, using
standard tackle or pole and line or, in the case of bowfishing, bow
and arrow. Fish caught in nets and traps or on trotlines and set
hooks will not be considered.
Check out the other
South
Carolina State Record Fish |
