Kayak Fisherman Catches 552-Pound Goliath Grouper Big Enough To Swallow A Bear


 

A kayak fisherman was fishing next to a pier off Sanibel Island, Florida when he hooked into a gargantuan 552-pound goliath grouper (formerly known as a jewfish), and strapped in for the fight of his lifetime. Screaming like he’d just won a gold medal in the decathlon, Jon Black managed to land the 552-pound grouper which is already being called the largest goliath grouper ever caught from a kayak.

To many people in the know, these goliath grouper are nothing more than a pain in the ass. There was a time in Florida when they were being caught to extinction, but that was decades ago. With strict regulation (circa 1990) these grouper capable of growing up to 1000-pounds have begun to completely dominate reefs all throughout Florida. They’ve taken over entire ecosystems, swallowing any and every fish in sight. They often make recreational fishing for other fish a hassle as goliath grouper often follow your catch to the boat only to swallow your catch after it has been exhausted from a fight. The current all-tackle IGFA Atlantic Goliath Grouper Record is 680-pounds.

It’s important to note that this is the largest goliath grouper ever caught in a kayak, but not the largest fish ever caught in a kayak. In recent years offshore fishing for pelagic species such as blue and black marlin has become a popular activity for fishermen seeking that next level of thrill. There was also this hippie who caught a 1,225-pound Greenland Shark fishing out of a kayak last year, blowing everyone’s mind in the fishing world.