Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed a new state record tie for the flier fish, a native game fish in Florida. Michael Baxley caught a 1.36-pound flier on Ocheesee Pond in Jackson County last month. This catch ties the existing record and surpasses the previous tie set by Twilla Gates in 2015, also in Jackson County, with a fish weighing 1.35 pounds.
Chris Paxton, Regional Fisheries Biologist and Administrator for Florida’s Northwest Region, expressed his enthusiasm about this achievement: “I feel fortunate as a biologist to have not only certified the existing record flier but now also Mr. Baxley’s tying record flier.” He added that such events highlight the unique and diverse fish species available in Florida’s Northwest Region.
For freshwater fish records within this size category to be recognized as new records, they must exceed the current record by at least 0.02 ounces.
The flier is an uncommon sunfish species found in Florida waters, identifiable by its dark teardrop marking under the eye and rows of black spots on its body. It typically inhabits ponds, marshes, and slow-moving backwaters in north and northwest Florida. Due to its small size—rarely exceeding six inches or half a pound—it is not commonly targeted by anglers but can be caught using standard sunfish baits.
Anglers who wish to receive recognition without breaking state records can submit photos of fliers at least eight inches long or weighing 0.5 pounds to FWC’s Big Catch program for a certificate commemorating their catch.
More information on state-record fish and fishing opportunities in Florida can be accessed at MyFWC.com/Freshwater.
