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Inshore Saltwater: world record vs average size

Bays, beaches and jetties. Red drum, halibut and cobia — the records here came from water you can reach in a bay boat or from shore.

13 species <100×
SpeciesAll-tackle world recordTypical catchTrophy sizeRecord ÷ averageScale
Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus 94.1 lbCape Hatteras, NC (1984) 5 lb 40 lb 19×
Black DrumPogonias cromis 113 lbDelaware, USA 8 lb 60 lb 14×
Spotted SeatroutCynoscion nebulosus 17.4 lbFort Pierce, FL (1995) 2 lb 8 lb 9×
SnookCentropomus undecimalis 53.6 lbCosta Rica (1978) 5 lb 25 lb 11×
TarponMegalops atlanticus 286.6 lbGuinea-Bissau (2003) 60 lb 150 lb 5×
SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus 21.3 lbLouisiana, USA (1992) 2.5 lb 10 lb 9×
Summer FlounderParalichthys dentatus 26.6 lbMontauk, NY (1975) 3 lb 12 lb 9×
Pacific HalibutHippoglossus stenolepis 459 lbDutch Harbor, AK (1996) 25 lb 150 lb 18×
Striped BassMorone saxatilis 78.5 lbAtlantic City, NJ (1982) 10 lb 40 lb 8×
King MackerelScomberomorus cavalla 90 lbPuerto Rico (1998) 10 lb 50 lb 9×
Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus 13 lbNorth Carolina, USA (1983) 2 lb 6 lb 7×
CobiaRachycentron canadum 135.6 lbShark Bay, Australia (1985) 20 lb 70 lb 7×
Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus 50.3 lbGulf of Mexico, USA 5 lb 20 lb 10×
How to read these charts: each bar's full width is the all-tackle world record. The blue fill is a typical catch; the red notch is a trophy benchmark — a fish most anglers remember for years. The record figures are widely reported all-tackle marks; the IGFA record database is the authoritative source — verify current records there before planning a record attempt. Average and trophy figures are working benchmarks from charter and tournament norms, not official statistics.

Think you beat the average?

Photograph your catch and the AI fish identifier will help you confirm the species — then check it against the records above.

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