St. Simons Island Angler Sets New Georgia State Record for Almaco Jack

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division (CRD) has certified a new state saltwater game fish record for Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana).

Chris A. Germano of St. Simons Island landed the record-setting fish April 4, 2026, while bottom fishing at R4, an offshore artificial reef. The Almaco Jack weighed 42 pounds, 15.36 ounces, surpassing the previous state record of 27 pounds, 8 ounces.

Germano caught the fish using a Shimano Stradic 8000 reel paired with a Crowder D8000 rod and 60-pound braided line. Live bait was used. The fish measured 1,151 millimeters, or about 45.3 inches, in total length with a fork length of 1,022 millimeters, or about 40.2 inches.

The fish was officially weighed at DNR's Coastal Regional Headquarters in Brunswick on a Georgia Department of Agriculture-certified scale. The application was reviewed and approved by CRD's Saltwater Game Fish Records Review Committee. Photos submitted with the application document the fish, its measurements and the certified weight.

"Georgia's offshore waters offer anglers the opportunity to catch some truly impressive fish, and Mr. Germano's Almaco Jack is a great example," said Tyler Jones, CRD's Saltwater Game Fish Records Program coordinator. "We congratulate him on an outstanding catch and on earning a place in Georgia's saltwater fishing record book."

The previous Almaco Jack record, a 27-pound, 8-ounce fish, was established in July 2024. Germano's catch exceeds that record by more than 15 pounds.

Georgia's Saltwater Game Fish Records Program recognizes anglers who land record-setting fish in accordance with program rules. State-record catches must be weighed on certified scales and undergo review by CRD before being officially recognized.

For information about Georgia's Saltwater Game Fish Records Program, including current records and application requirements, visit CoastalGaDNR.org.

About the Coastal Resources Division

The mission of the Coastal Resources Division is to balance coastal development and protection of the coast's natural assets, socio-cultural heritage and recreational resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Media Contact

Tyler Jones
Public Information Officer
Coastal Resources Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
[email protected]
912-230-9709

View record package

Go Back