Five New State Fishing and Diving Records

February 10, 2025

In 2024, four saltwater anglers and one spear fisherman became new state record holders after hauling in some exceptional fish.

The California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) state angling record was captured by Michael McDaniels on May 3, 2024. The 3 lb. 10 oz. fish, caught off San Diego, edged out the previous state record fish by 8 ounces. McDaniels later donated the record catch to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for research.

On Oct. 20, 2024, Luc Ofield was at the right place at the right time – Nine Mile Bank, off San Diego in Southern California – to hook a 663 lb. 12 oz. swordfish (Xiphias gladius). After an epic five-hour saltwater battle, Luc landed this giant and a new state record. The new record beat the previous state record by a solid 143 lb. 12 oz.!

On Nov. 11, 2024 near Usal in Mendocino County, Cally Coombs reeled in a 9 lb. 0 oz. canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) that beat the state angling record for this species by 1 lb. 2 oz.

On the very last day of 2024 – New Year’s Eve – Thomas Hilgert landed a 3 lb., 5 oz. greenspotted rockfish (Sebastes chlorostictus) off San Diego at Nine Mile Bank to capture that species’ state record, beating the previous record by 11 ounces. Happy New Year, Thomas!

And finally, not to be outdone, a member of the spear fishing community also established a new state diving record in 2024. While spearfishing off Monterey on Jun. 8, 2024, Max Rovinsky speared a 4 lb. 12 oz. rubberlip seaperch (Rhacochilus toxotes) that beat the previous state diving record by two ounces.

Congratulations go out to all our new 2024 state record holders! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife saltwater angling and diving record programs recognize exceptional saltwater finfish and shellfish taken in California by sport anglers and divers. The program has given biologists the opportunity to examine trophy-sized catches since the 1950s.

For more information about state recreational fishing and diving records, see the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing and Diving Records web page at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Records.

I should’ve weighed my monster greenspot I caught earlier this year

idk where 9 mile bank is but i wanna fish it!!

Cool stuff.
Thanks for sharing.

idk where 9 mile bank is but i wanna fish it!!

According to a not-too-bright online AI tool:

"The 9 Mile Bank, also known as the Nine Mile Bank, is an underwater ridge located approximately nine miles off the coast of San Diego. It is roughly 14 miles on a 220-degree heading from Mission Bay to the top of the 9 Mile Bank. This area is known for its excellent deep-sea fishing opportunities and is home to various fish species including yellowtail, tuna, dorado, and barracuda."

That's a long ways to go on my AI, and if I landed a 663lb swordfish, it would sink the boat...

Years later, the Synth Guy caught and released this pig on a trip with me!  I was calling it 14 pounds, but it might've only been 12 and a half!