Ryan R. Simons, 38, of Richmond Hill, with his record-setting queen triggerfish at the DNR Richmond Hill Hatchery. Provided photo.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (April 10, 2024) – A Richmond Hill man has set a new Georgia state record category for a Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula), weighing in at 7 pounds, 0.58 ounces.

The fish is a new species in the Georgia Saltwater Game Fish Program and no prior record existed. The records program committee, made of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff and biologists, approved the addition of the species Tuesday, April 9.

The angler, Ryan R. Simons, 38, caught the record-setting fish Sunday, April 7, offshore at an area commonly known as the South Ledge. He was bottom fishing with a Shimano jigging rod with Shimano Speedmaster reel spooled with 65-pound braided line and dead ballyhoo as bait. Simons caught the fish aboard the vessel “Sweet Melissa” with Capt. Henry Williamson.