Turner, Haulin’ Grass crew land a state-record grouper

The Fire Charity Fishing Tournament may have ended two weeks ago, but a record-breaking catch from the competition will not soon be forgotten.

Brian Turner and team Haulin’ Grass are no stranger to big grouper. In early June of 2016, the crew landed a gag grouper that weighed more than 70 pounds, enough to challenge the 80-pound world record.

A year later, the crew landed another large grouper, a deepwater speckled hind, more commonly known as a Kitty Mitchell.

“We ran north during the start of the tournament. I was sick all week and wanted to avoid the storms and rough weather south,” said Turner, a veteran captain. He claimed that at one point he was about 60 miles south of Panama City in the Florida Panhandle.

“Eventually we ran over a show on the machine, and I said to my team ‘that’s Kitty Mitchells’.”

The show Turner is referring to is the display from the Garmin depth finder. He noted the fishy bottom about 575 feet below the boat looked like light yellows and greens, and that something like a Warsaw grouper would show up as bright red.

“I’ve got too many hours staring at those screens,” Turner explained.

He swung back around to the new spot and angler Todd Borden fired a Boston mackerel below with 8 pounds of lead on 100-pound power pro and an 8/0 circle hook.

A tug-of-war ensued, and Turner and crew watched Borden work the beast up from the depths. After 15 minutes, it was at the surface and brought into the boat. Turner said that in such deep water when the fish are about halfway up, their swim bladders are filled with gas and the fish will start to float toward the surface.

They knew then it was something special and that it might top the state record of 42 pounds, 6 ounces, and possibly the world record of just over 52 pounds.

At the Fire Charity weigh in, Turner and crew waited until last with their special catch. Tournament director Erik Nicholson informed the crowd of what they were about to see.

“History could be made. Brian Turner said he’s got something special for you to see!”

The scale was calibrated, and the grouper was put on the hook: “47.8 pounds!” Nicholson announced, “It’s a new state record!”

Turner and crew congratulated each other on the record catch, which will be certified and entered.

The Haulin’ Grass crew will now focus their attention on the upcoming Florida West Coast Bluewater Series. The three-tournament series is scheduled to kick off with the Crosthwait Extreme Tournament from the Bradenton Yacht Club on July 19-22, followed by the Sarasota Slam from Marina Jack on Aug. 1-5, and ending with Old Salt Loop tournament in Madeira Beach on Aug. 15-19.

This story was originally published June 24, 2017 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Turner, Haulin’ Grass crew land a state-record grouper."