A report from Capt. Julie Ball out of Virginia Beach:

Pending IGFA All tackle World Record Atlantic Spadefish
14lbs, 14oz

13 June

I had the privilege of speaking with a gentleman last night who experienced the catch of a lifetime. Roland E. Murphy was fishing at the Cell aboard the “Kingfish” captained by Allen King and his first mate, Sherie King, all of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

They were in search of big spadefish, and caught a handful, and lost around 15 or so. Roland was up next when the rod in the holder doubled over. But this was no ordinary spadefish. Roland claims that “the fish put up a gallant fight for over 20 minutes, taking me around the boat, back and forth, under the boat, around the motor, almost wearing me out before wearing it out.” But Roland did wear it out, and in the live well it went until tipping the scales at a whopping 14lbs, 14oz. The existing record spade is 14-pounds.

Jon Lucy of VIMS traveled to meet Roland, helping him with his application. Not only is this awesome catch a pending World Record, but paperwork was also submitted for a pending Virginia State Record.