Georgia Woman Shatters Half-Century-Old Fishing Record with Massive Catch

In a remarkable feat, a 21-year-old woman from St. Mary's, Georgia, has broken a nearly 40-year-old saltwater fishing record. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced on June 5 that Lauren Harden, a resident of St. Mary's, reeled in a crevalle jack weighing a staggering 33 pounds, 10.72 ounces. This record-breaking fish was caught on May 24 while Harden was on Cumberland Island, the largest and most southern of Georgia's barrier islands.

According to the Georgia Aquarium, crevalle jack are large, silvery fish often seen swimming in large schools in open water, typically over the continental shelf. They are known for their strength, speed, and fighting spirit, making them popular among sport fishermen. The fish captured by Harden, however, was only a fraction of the size they can grow to. The Georgia Aquarium mentions that these fish, characterized by their steep foreheads and tendency to "grunt or croak when caught by fishermen," can reach weights of up to 70 pounds.

Prior to Harden's remarkable catch, the previous record for a crevalle jack catch was set back in 1981 by Ann Allen, weighing in at 30 pounds and 6 ounces. In August 2001, Lex Bazemore set the current record for male catches with a massive 38-pound, 8-ounce crevalle jack.

Tyler Jones, the public information officer for the Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division, expressed his excitement in congratulating Ms. Harden on her extraordinary achievement. He stated, "Records like this inspire other anglers and showcase the diverse and thriving marine life in Georgia's coastal waters."

Harden's remarkable accomplishment serves as a testament to the abundance and diversity of marine life in Georgia's coastal waters. Her record-breaking catch is sure to inspire many aspiring anglers to venture into the stunning waters of Cumberland Island in search of their own extraordinary fishing achievements.