Georgia angler, 18, sets women's fishing record with pompano catch

An 18-year-old Georgia angler enjoyed an early Christmas present recently in the form of state-record approval for her catch of a Florida pompano.

Chandler E. Simon, of Atlanta, caught the 3-pound, 6-ounce Florida pompano on Nov. 25, 2025, while fishing at Christmas Creek in Camden County.

Advertisement

After a review, the Coastal Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced Simon’s catch as a women’s record on Dec. 22.

The previous state women’s record, weighing 2 pounds, 3.52 ounces, was established by Bycie S. Curlett in 2023.

Simon was fishing with Capt. Jeremy Petro of Island Lure Charters when she landed her pompano on 30-pound-test braided line, with live shrimp as bait.

ALSO: Video shows massive shark approaching preoccupied diver in Indonesia

The Georgia men’s saltwater record for Florida pompano stands at 5 pounds, 4 ounces (set in 2002).

Florida pompano are found in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts into the Gulf of Mexico, and in the West Indies to Brazil.

Advertisement

According to the International Game Fish Assn., the world record for Florida pompano is 8 pounds, 4 ounces. That behemoth was caught by Barry Huston at Port St. Joe Bay, Fla., in 1999.

Simon was told she’ll receive a record certificate signed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon, and CRD Director Doug Haymans.

Christmas Creek is a renowned destination for anglers targeting inshore saltwater game fish. Apparently, it always feels like Christmas for anglers when they go there. Hence, the name.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Record Florida pompano landed by woman fishing in Georgia