George Beck went to Costa Rica in search of a roosterfish. He came back to Fort Lauderdale with a potential all-tackle world record snook.

Beck's 57-pound, 12-ounce fish caught August 23 took a red-and-white Rapala Magnum lure trolled in 15 feet of water off the beach. The fish would beat the current International Game Fish Association world record of 53 pounds, 10 ounces set in 1978 at Parismina Ranch, Costa Rica.

"I was pretty amazed. It was a feat I didn't expect," said the 20-year-old Beck, a salesman for a Pompano Beach seafood distributor who grew up fishing Anglin's Pier. The biggest snook Beck had caught previously was a 27- pounder taken from the pier.

Beck was using an 8-foot custom rod from T&R Tackle in Lauderdale-By-The- Sea , and a conventional Shimano reel with 25-pound Ande monofilament.

"The lure was literally rubbing on the bottom," he said. "I was holding the line with the rod in the rod holder when it got hit. I thought it was on the bottom."

Beck set up on the fish and watched it jump once completely out of the water. It jumped three more times, but because of its weight it couldn't clear the surface. Ten minutes later, the fish was exhausted.

"By instinct, I knew it was bigger than 40 pounds," he said. Friend Matt Baer picked up the 59-inch fish and the two agreed it could be a record.

They weighed the snook at Quepos, where they were staying, but had to take it the next day to be weighed on a digital scale in San Jose. The fish was flown to Broward County and is being mounted. The IGFA must process the catch information and will make the final decision.

And what's next for the angler? "I'll try to catch a world record tarpon, I guess. That's my next feat."