Angler Smashes State Record Speckled Trout On Homemade Fishing Rod

Todd Spangler's 12lb, 8-ounce speckled trout caught on February 9th, 2022, near the mouth of the Neuse River, is the official North Carolina state record. While fishing with a buddy and using his homemade rod, Todd initially thought he hooked into a hard-fighting striped bass before getting a glimpse of the 33.5-inch speckled trout.

The fellas measured the catch once the fish was in the boat, and their digital scale read four ounces heavier than the previous state record. Unsure if the scale was reading accurately, the guys packed up the gear and headed back to shore. Eventually, the fish was certified, and Todd's name is now in the record books surpassing the previous catch from 61 years prior.

“I said, ‘If this is a trout, it’s gonna be one of the biggest trout I’ve ever caught,’” he told Field and Stream. “It came up and swirled once, but it was far enough out that we couldn’t see it well. I told my buddy to get the net just in case.



“I kept fighting it, and when I saw it flash right below us I said, ‘Man, that’s a big striper right there.’ Then it came up to the surface, and I saw that it was a trout, I went all to pieces. I said, ‘Oh, my lord. Get the net! Get the net!’”

Todd Spangler Via Field & Stream