I just learned of the above listed recognition offered by the DNR/State. I could not find anywhere that listed the sport fish that qualified for the program. Do reds and/or trout qualify? I will find out in the morning with a phone call but was also curious if anyone had attempted the program and, if so, what were your thoughts? Fun or a pain in the neck?
I’ve emailed him as well - sounds neat!
Yeah there is a program where if you tag and release over 40 (i think) over sized reds in a year you get the certificates, you have to contact DNR and they will provide the tags and equipment.
17ft Key west
This is an email I received from Mr. Wiggers w/ DNR:
Thanks for your interest in the Master Angler Program. Unfortunately this program was cut many years ago during lean budget years, and we stopped promoting it. I’ve tried to keep it somewhat alive through word of mouth, simply because it provides a really good way to recognize anglers who make exceptional catches. Also, almost every other Atlantic coast state has a “citation” program.
With that said, I’ve attached a copy of the old brochure to give you an idea of the minimum weight requirements for each eligible species. Be mindful that this is very dated, and some of these species can no longer be possessed.
If you catch a fish larger than the min. weight requirement, and want a citation, you need to have it weighed someplace that has a certified scale. I also need to be able to verify the weight, so you will want to have a witness at the weighing location that I can contact.
Hopefully, we can get this program up and running again one day, but that’s the best I have right now.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Robert Wiggers
FYI: The minimum requirement for a Master Angler Certificate from the State : Red Drum: 35 pounds; Sea Trout 5 pounds; Southern Flounder 10 pounds; Summer Flounder 2 1/2 pounds.
If you are in Charleston, stop in a local tackle shop and get a Trident Fishing Tournament brochure. The Trident is supported by local businesses and fishing clubs and issues a certificate if you meet the minimum requirements for a fish that is in the program. For example…Trout over 3 lbs on light tackle will qualify you for a certificate. There are probably 40-50 species on fish that are in the program.
The hard part about these is also that they will require a weight on a certified scale -
there is not a 35 lb redfish that you would be allowed to possess to take to the scales … so no dice on that one.
35 pounds wouldn’t even come close to a redfish record 
I think the state record in SC is 75 pounds.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
This is the fish page for the Trident year long tournament. http://www.lowcountryfishscales.com/2014/Trident14/Trident48Rules14.htm#Saltwater
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Oyster Baron
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”