Since December, Georgia anglers have set four new state records. The most recent one, which is also pending a world record tie, is a redbreast sunfish caught by Lester Roberts of Blackshear.

His catch, caught on May 7 on the Satilla River near Folkston, weighed 1 pound, 12 oz and was 11 and 3/8 inches long. Roberts’ catch replaces the 1998 record of 1 pound, 11 oz, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division .

“Georgia waters are producing some great fish right now and news of these records being broken really should give all anglers an extra sense of excitement to get out there and give it a shot,” said Scott Robinson, Chief of Fisheries for the Wildlife Resources Division.

Redbreast Sunfish are common throughout Georgia. Their belly is yellow to orange-red or crimson red, and the gill flap is black in color, and long and narrow. Their head has blue or blue-green stripes. Most are less than one pound. They prefer streams and rivers but are also found in some lakes. They can sometimes be found near aquatic vegetation.

Unlike other sunfish, redbreast can be caught at night using a wide variety of lures and baits, such as beetle spins and small spinners.

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