Louisiana Angler Hooks Record-Breaking Yellowedge Grouper

A Louisiana tugboat captain's delayed participation in a local fishing competition unexpectedly led to a new state record. Despite working late, he joined his family on the water and reeled in a colossal yellowedge grouper, solidifying his place in local angling history.

Angler's Triumph: Record Yellowedge Grouper Caught in Gulf Waters

On July 10, Steven Vicknair, a 41-year-old tugboat captain from Belle Chasse, Louisiana, embarked on an offshore fishing expedition with his family. A day later than planned due to work commitments, Vicknair joined his father-in-law, Gary Voiron, his fiancé Ellen Voiron, and his 12-year-old daughter Nora on Voiron's 36-foot Cape Horn vessel, aptly named 'Butcher' after Gary's profession. Their destination was the 2026 Blue Boot Rodeo, a prominent fishing competition in Louisiana and a major event in the Gulf of Mexico.

Arriving at their fishing grounds in the mid-afternoon, their initial deep jigging attempts proved fruitless. They soon relocated to a rocky ledge situated in approximately 400 feet of water. It was here, on his very first drop with a 1.5-pound yellow slow-pitch jig, that Vicknair felt a powerful strike. Employing a high-speed Shimano reel, a robust rod, and 60-pound braided line with a 120-pound test leader, he engaged in a grueling ten-minute struggle with the unseen aquatic giant. Initially, he suspected it might be an amberjack, known for their formidable fight. However, once he managed to lift the fish from the seabed, it ascended rapidly.

A video captured the dramatic moment the massive grouper surfaced and was expertly gaffed by Gary, revealing its immense size. Though not initially targeting records, Vicknair's brother, Scott, prompted by photos of the catch, researched state records, sparking the realization of a potential record-breaker. An initial weigh-in on a boat scale indicated a weight of 50 pounds, igniting excitement within the family.

Due to the late hour and the schedule for the next day's rodeo, the fish could not be officially weighed until Saturday afternoon, a full 24 hours after it was caught. During this period, Vicknair meticulously preserved the grouper in slush ice. At the certified scales in Grand Isle Marina, the yellowedge grouper registered an impressive 48 pounds and measured 47 inches in length, comfortably exceeding Louisiana's previous record of 46.22 pounds set in 2024. The IGFA All-Tackle world record for a yellowedge grouper, caught off Alabama in 2012, stands at 48 pounds, 9 ounces, suggesting Vicknair's catch was remarkably close to a global benchmark, despite potential weight loss over 24 hours.

The official identification of the fish as a yellowedge grouper by state fisheries biologist Bill Hano also required careful preservation until Tuesday. Instead of a traditional taxidermy mount, Vicknair chose a unique approach: he commissioned an artist in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to create a full-size ink art print of the fish. Additionally, he plans to have a 'skull mount' of its head, akin to a European deer mount, showcasing its skeletal structure. The family also enjoyed consuming parts of the grouper, describing its taste as excellent.

This remarkable catch by Steven Vicknair serves as a testament to the thrill of deep-sea fishing and the abundant marine life found in the Gulf. It highlights the unexpected rewards that can come from persistence and a passion for the sport. Beyond the thrill of the catch, Vicknair's decision to commemorate his record-breaking fish through art rather than a conventional mount offers a unique perspective on celebrating such achievements, preserving the memory in a distinct and personal way. His story not only enriches the lore of the Blue Boot Rodeo but also inspires fellow anglers to pursue their own monumental catches, reminding them that some of the greatest fishing tales begin with unexpected turns.