Big black grouper caught in SWFL fishing tournament

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FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.- Some fish tales are hard to believe, but WINK News has the pictures to back this one up.

A black grouper caught during a fishing tournament off Fort Myers Beach over the weekend could quite possibly break a world record.

“The big one came, we got the big black and it was on from there,” said Jason Schreyer.

A team of five fishing on the “Honey Money” reeled in the biggest fish at the 3rd annual Offshore Rodeo Fishing Tournament.

“We had a game plan when we came in to show our smaller fish first and then give it an ‘oh yeah, we forgot we have one more!'” said Schreyer.

The black grouper weighed in at 124. 15 pounds, 57 inches long and 48 inches around.

“Everybody was on the seawall taking pictures and I knew when they had a hard time lifting it out of the boat, we had a big fish coming in,” said Angela Katz, development director for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida.

There were about 400 anglers fishing in the tournament. The goal was to raise $80,000 to help the Ronald McDonald House.

“We have a care mobile we are putting on the road shortly, they are also building a new hospital, we are actually putting a family room in the new hospital,” said Jeffrey Miloff, Chairperson for Offshore Rodeo and Reggae Party.

In total, 1,200 pounds of fish was caught, fileted and cooked up for the fundraiser’s dinner. Each group could weigh up to four fish. The team that caught the black grouper accounted for 182 pounds.

“It was delicious, you could not get anything better than that fresh of a grouper,” said Katz.

“My five year goal is to raise $100,000, hopefully this year we can do it,” said Miloff.

The International Game Fish Association will verify if this is a world record. Right now, a 124 pound black grouper caught in Texas holds the world record. That fish was caught January 11, 2003.

There is also currently a raffle going on for a new Kia to benefit Ronald McDonald House. This goes until Saturday. To buy a ticket, contact the Ronald McDonald House at 239-237-0202.

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