Multiple state records for some saltwater fish caught in Alabama were broken between October 2021 and October 2022 with some broken more than once.

According to statistics kept by Alabama Gulf Seafood, 11 fish were entered into the state record books in that time frame, with two of these claiming the top title for only a few months. Both the sheepshead – a common catch among anglers in Alabama waters – and the elusive permit fish had records broken twice for the biggest fish of its kind caught to date.

For sheepshead, a fish weighing 14 pounds, 4 ounces caught by Wesley Olsen held the state record for only a matter of months before Kendale Jeans recorded one weighing 16 pounds, 6.6 ounces. Similarly, Annalise Wilson held the state record for permit, reeling in a fish weighing 6 pounds, 0.54 ounces, for only 10 months until Patrick Willis recorded a permit weighing 8 pounds, 2.4 ounces.

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Scott Bannon, director of Marine Resources Division with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said the increase in record-breaking fish correlates with advanced fishing electronics that are now available.

“The advance in technology the fishing industry has seen in over the last few years is a definitive reason for the increase in large fish we are seeing,” added Bannon. “People are not only more comfortable going out deeper on offshore trips, but they are bearing better fruit.”

Seven additional record-setting fish include:

• Blackjack, 13lbs, 1.6oz — caught by William Atkins
• Blackline Tilefish, 1lb, 6.4oz — caught by Gavin Dunnam
• Horse-Eye Jack, 30lbs, 4oz — caught by Bennie Goldman Jr.
• Jolthead Porgy, 9lbs, 2.88oz — caught by Chase Mitchell
• Lizardfish, 1lb, 11.2oz — caught by Nelson Wingo
• Red Cornetfish, 2lbs, 5.4oz — caught by Wayne Akin
• Silvery John Dory, 5lbs, 0.28oz — caught by Mark Russo