Delaware state record 22.2-pound Blueline Tilefish caught in Baltimore Canyon
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
LEWES DELAWARE (Aug. 25, 2015) – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has confirmed
another new state record in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament’s new category for blueline tilefish: a 22.2-pounder caught on Aug. 18 in the Atlantic Ocean’s Baltimore Canyon, some 65 miles offshore. This latest catch eclipses two previous state record blueline tilefish this summer, a 19.7-pounder caught June 19 also in Baltimore Canyon, and a 21.8-pounder caught July 25 in Norfolk Canyon.
Andrew Orr of Drumore, Pa., caught the new record 37-inch-long blueline tilefish aboard the private vessel Last Chance with Capt. Bob Orr at the helm. The record catch was initially confirmed at Hook ‘em & Cook ‘em Bait and Tackle in Rehoboth Beach and then verified by Officer Adam Roark, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. The catch is recognized as a state record since the fish was caught aboard a boat that left from and returned to a Delaware port.
Blueline tilefish are becoming quite popular among salt water anglers. “Off-shore fishing is where the action is right now,” said Garry Glanden, Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament director, Division of Fish & Wildlife. “With the popularity growing for tilefish, I would not be surprised if the record is broken yet again this year.”
Blueline tilefish are slow-growing, deep-water dwellers that are targeted by both recreational and commercial fisheries as a foodfish. The species may grow up to 40 inches long and live up to 43 years, feeding on bottom creatures such as crabs, shrimp, snails, worms, sea urchins and small fish and sharing habitat with groupers and snappers. Spawning occurs from May to October, with females laying more than 4 million free-floating eggs.
The increasing popularity and harvest of blueline tilefish have prompted federal and state agencies, including the Division of Fish & Wildlife, to establish fishery conservation measures to manage the fishery at a sustainable level. For more on this, click on the recent DNREC press release, Delaware joins National Marine Fisheries Service taking action for blueline tilefish.
For more information on the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, click on 2015 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide is also available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk in the Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover and from license agents throughout the state.