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| Norman Jenkins of Portsmouth holds the largest croaker ever caught, at 8 pounds, 11 ounces. With Jenkins is longtime fishing buddy Sammy Brooks of Portsmouth. SPECIAL TO THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT |
By LEE TOLLIVER, The Virginian-Pilot © August 18, 2007 | Last updated 7:41 PM Aug. 21
Norman Jenkins has given new meaning to catching a "horse" croaker.
On Friday, the angler from Portsmouth caught one that weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces from New Point Comfort near the southern tip of Mathews County. The fish is believed to be the biggest croaker ever caught - in a net or on rod and reel.
According to area headboat and fishing pier operators, more Atlantic croaker are caught from Virginia waters during the summer than any other species.
"Good Lord, that's a big croaker," Virginia Beach captain Skip Feller said. "We're catching a lot of croaker right now, but nothing like that."