Already LDWF-certified, Champagne’s 18.63-pounder would shatter Louisiana’s state record by 4 pounds
A Lafayette angler landed a certified 18.63-pound mangrove snapper out of Cocodrie on Wednesday — a fish that, pending official certification, would easily become the new No. 1 mangrove in the state — and potentially the world.
According to the International Game Fish Association’s website, Tim Champagne caught the monster mangrove Wednesday fishing out of Cocodrie on a live croaker.
If ultimately approved by the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association, which maintains official records for the state, Champagne’s catch would rocket into the top spot, easily topping a 14.36-pounder caught by Michael W. Lorio Sr. in the West Delta Blocks in June, 2008.
If the catch is certified by the IGFA, it will beat out a 23-year-old record held by Steve Maddox, who caught a 17-pound mangrove in Port Canaveral, Fla. on June 14, 1992.
In an email to Louisiana Sportsman, Champagne said the fish was certified by a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologist on Wednesday.
He was fishing all day Thursday, and could not be reached for comment on the catch.
When more details become available, LouisianaSportsman.com will update this story.
