Caught by: Justin Hanby from Jacksonville, FL
Caught in Saint Augustine, FL on 04-06-2013 at 11:00 am
Lure used was DOA C.A.L. Shad (4″ fiji chicken) on Strike King red 1/8 oz jig head
Kayak used was 2010 Hobie Outback
7’1″ Calico Jack medium action rod
Okuma Stratus 35 reel
30 lb FINS braid line
I was fishing in Saint Augustine, Fl with my father (Steve Hanby) and friend (Lee Pashley) on 04-06-2013. It was very windy and rough so we put in several miles North of our usual spots and fished with the wind pushing us. After catching several small trout and red drum, this large trout stopped my lure. It was dead weight for a minute so i was not sure if it was a fish or alligator. Once it reached the kayak I could see that it was a very large fish and assumed it was an oversized red drum. It made several long and hard runs before i attemted to land it. Once i brought it to the surface, I realized what I had and could not believe it! I have caught several trout around 10 lbs but had never seen one like this. As I was landing the trout, Lee hooked up with a 39 inch red drum. We took them both to shore for a few pictures before releasing his fish. We suspected that mine was close to an IGFA state all tackle record and a kayak record so I started the 2 hour paddle to the ramp. I did not have a cooler big enough for the fish so she lost a bit of weight before getting weighed at 15 lbs. 12 oz. on certified scales. without the tail pinched (florida law is to pinch it) she was 32 1/4 inches with a 21 inch girth.