John Theodorakis Sets New North Carolina State Record for Yellowfin Grouper

John Theodorakis, a Wilmington angler, landed a 45‑pound, 9.6‑ounce yellowfin grouper on July 2, 2026, about 45 miles offshore Carolina Beach. The catch was verified by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, which confirmed it as the state’s heaviest yellowfin grouper, surpassing the previous record of 42 pounds, 10 ounces set by Michael Hall in 2009.

The fish measured just over 43 inches in length with a 31‑inch girth. Theodorakis used menhaden bait on an 80‑lb test line, a Crowder rod and a Shimano Tiagra reel. Yellowfin grouper, a shallow‑water species managed by the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, is prized by both sport and commercial fishers. The new record highlights the rich marine environment off the North Carolina coast and the ongoing efforts of state officials to monitor and protect its fish populations.