The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has officially recognized a new state record for Almaco Jack. Warren Poirier from Charles City, Virginia, achieved this milestone with a catch weighing 56 pounds, 4.8 ounces on June 7, 2025. This surpasses the previous record of 33 pounds, 12.6 ounces set in 2024.
Poirier was fishing alongside Captain James Bowman at The Rocks when he caught the fish using a Zest brand jig. The battle to land the fish lasted 45 minutes and was executed with a Shimano Trevala rod and Saltist 5000 reel equipped with an 80-pound braid.
The dimensions of Poirier’s catch were notable, measuring 46 inches in fork length and possessing a girth of 31 inches. The fish was weighed at Teach’s Lair Marina.
Further details on state record fish can be found on the division’s State Saltwater Records webpage or by contacting the North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament staff via email at saltwater.citations@deq.nc.gov.
A photograph of Poirier with his record-breaking catch is available for download.
