A Pending World Record Spadefish

IGFA Representative ANNOUNCEMENT

Pending IGFA All tackle World Record Atlantic Spadefish 14lbs, 14oz

13 June 2009 I had the privilege of speaking with a gentleman last night who experienced the catch of a lifetime. Roland E. Murphy was fishing at the Cell aboard the “Kingfish” captained by Allen King and his first mate, Sherie King, all of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

They were in search of big spadefish, and caught a handful, and lost around 15 or so. Roland was up next when the rod in the holder doubled over. But this was no ordinary spadefish. Roland claims that “the fish put up a gallant fight for over 20 minutes, taking me around the boat, back and forth, under the boat, around the motor, almost wearing me out before wearing it out.” But Roland did wear it out, and in the live well it went until tipping the scales at a whopping 14lbs, 14oz. The existing record spade is 14-pounds.

Jon Lucy of VIMS traveled to meet Roland, helping him with his application. Not only is this awesome catch a pending World Record, but paperwork was also submitted for a pending Virginia State Record.

Congratulations to the angler and crew! Dr. Julie Ball

Here is a larger section of Roland's email to me:

"Once hooked, the fish put up a gallant fight for over 20 minutes, taking my around the boat, back and forth, under the boat, around the motor, almost wearing me out before wearing it out. It is a great sport fish and one of my favorite to catch. Having fished for these over 15 years, it is a great thrill to catch a spadefish of this caliber.

This is a great reason why our governments need to make an effort to clean up the bay to preserve the great fish that we have in Virginia." Roland

If you have never caught a spadefish, you don't know what you're missing!!

Get out on the water, and enjoy the Outdoors!

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