Bob Manus of Ark, VA has established a new state record for snowy grouper with a 65-lb., 8-oz. fish caught June 10th. This smashes the initial state record for the species of 49 lbs., 9 oz., which had been set scarcely six weeks previously. Manus has filed an application with the International Game Fish Association for acceptance of his snowy grouper as the world all-tackle record.
Manus caught his grouper in over 90 fathoms of water near the Norfolk Canyon while fishing with Ken Neill, III on his private boat Healthy Grin. The fish had a length of 49 inches and a girth of 38 inches.
The previous state record had been held by Roger Burnley of Virginia Beach for the fish he caught on April 29th. Burnley also caught his fish while fishing with Ken Neill in the same general area near th Norfolk Canyon.
For more information, contact Claude Bain, Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 968 S. Oriole Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, (757) 491-5160, mrcswt@visi.net.