The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has certified a new state record for Vermilion Snapper, scientifically known as Rhomboplites aurorubens.
Colby Shaw from Newport caught the 7-pound, 4-ounce Vermilion Snapper off the coast of Morehead City on April 18, 2025. This catch surpasses the previous state record of 6-pounds, 9-ounces, set in 2009 out of Ocean Isle.
Shaw, fishing from his own boat offshore south of Beaufort Inlet, successfully captured the record fish using Shimano rod and reel, with a 65-pound braid, after hooking it with cut bait.
The Vermilion Snapper measured 23.5 inches in fork length and had a 17-inch girth. Fisheries staff officially weighed the fish at the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries’ Morehead City Headquarters Office.
For additional details on state record fish, the division’s State Saltwater Records webpage provides more information. Inquiries can also be directed to the North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament staff at saltwater.citations@deq.nc.gov.
A photo of Shaw and his catch can be downloaded at https://www.deq.nc.gov/media/48169.
