The Largest Red Snapper Ever Caught in North Carolina Was as Big as a Bulldog!

Could you imagine reeling in a fish the size of a bulldog? Ben Grant, the angler behind the largest red snapper caught in North Carolina, knows exactly how this feels. Keep reading below to learn more about this supersized snapper.

Species Profile: Red Snapper

The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is also known as the red snapper. Of 113 species, the northern red snapper is one of the most well-known fish in the Family Lutjanidae.

On average, an adult red snapper can grow to be up to 39 inches in length. Their weight often varies based on their age, diet, and other factors. The largest red snapper on record weighed in at 50 pounds and 4 ounces. 

The red snapper typically inhabits shallower waters. These are waters most often off the coast on land masses and range from 30 to 200 feet. However, they have also been found in water as deep as 300 feet. The northern red snapper is native to the western hemisphere and lives in the Gulf of Mexico, the western Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. Although they are a popular and sought-after game fish, many organizations list the northern red snapper as a vulnerable species.

North Carolina’s Champion

To learn more about the largest red snapper caught in North Carolina, you’ll have to look back to 1970. On this day, Ben Grant had been fishing off Cape Lookout. Then, a new moment in history emerged as he reeled in the massive red snapper that would still be a record-breaker half a century later.  Grant’s red snapper weighed an even 40 pounds. For reference, an adult bulldog weighs between 40 and 55 pounds!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © EngineerPhotos/Shutterstock.com