The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record for Vermilion Snapper. Colby Shaw from Newport caught the 7-pound, 4-ounce fish off the coast of Morehead City. Shaw hooked the fish on April 18, 2025, surpassing the previous record of 6 pounds, 9 ounces, which was set in 2009 near Ocean Isle.
Fishing on his own vessel, Shaw captured the fish south of Beaufort Inlet using cut bait. He employed a Shimano rod and reel with a 65-pound braid to quickly reel in the snapper, which measured 23.5 inches in fork length and had a 17-inch girth. The catch was verified by fisheries staff at Morehead City Headquarters of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.
Further details about state record fish can be accessed on the division’s State Saltwater Records webpage. Inquiries can be directed to the North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament staff at saltwater.citations@deq.nc.gov.
A photo of Shaw with his record-breaking fish is available for download.
