Anglers throw back many record fish

Have you ever thought about the number of fish of various species that would have broken the record for size yet ended up either being released or filleted by the angler who was unaware it would have qualified?

Certainly, there is not a specific answer to that question; however, in my opinion, there have been many.

In fact, this fishing writer who likely has better knowledge of state records than most amateur anglers might have been in that category as well.

This subject came to mind last week when one of Galveston’s offshore charter boats reported a big catch of large Gulf trout to 25 inches in length.

The state record for that species is just more than 6 pounds — and one in the 25-inch range is a candidate for weighing that much or more.

Two years ago, I was fishing the area of Pelican Island — commonly referred to as the cedars — and caught a very large pigfish.

Everyone aboard my boat was amazed at the unusually large size of the pigfish, or piggy as they are more commonly called.

All agreed the fish appeared to be well more 2 pounds.

While I was goggle-eyed over the fish, it was quickly released because we were after trout and not so-called trash fish.

After returning from the trip, I checked the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website and found the current record for a pigfish is 1.04 pounds.

What a downer thinking about tossing a possible record fish.

One fact that supports my belief that a lot of record fish are caught but not recognized is in the number of records shown by Adolph Schulz.

Schulz owned and operated the Galveston Fishing Pier near 90th Street along the seawall for years.

He was keenly aware of the state records and entered fish he caught several times.

An example of other situations where several state records are recorded is Galveston’s party boats.

Patrick Lemire, who often fishes aboard the party boat Capt. John, has entered several records and the reason, like with Schulz, is his awareness of those records.

In both situations, I doubt the guys have the records memorized, but they have the list handy and can easily check out a fish that looks like it might qualify.

The list of state records for saltwater fish is shown on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website and can be printed easily.

My recommendation to fishing guides and anglers who fish often is to have the list in your tackle box so you do not make the same mistake I did with the piggy.

Capt. Joe Kent is a columnist for The Daily News. To get your catch in the Reel Report, call 409-683-5273 or email reel.report(at)galvnews.com.