State Record Gray Tilefish Recently Caught In New Jersey

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The weather is cooling down, but the fishing action is still hot, and yet another state record has fallen.

Most recently, an Arizona man fried a record-breaking flathead catfish before he could certify the catch, an Alabama man cut a state record bonito up into shark bait, a big bluegill broke the state record down in Georgia, a North Carolina man hooked the biggest Spanish hogfish in state history, Minnesota state records for both muskie and pike fell, a Virginia bow fisherman set a new record for Longnose gar, and the state of Connecticut produced a new world record white catfish.

There have been a whopping 9 state records broken in the state of Missouri alone this year, including 6 different fish in the first 6 months of the year followed by the kid who broke his dad’s sunfish recordbighead Carp big enough to set a new world record, and a state record American eel.

Then of course, there was the Virginia man that hooked the big chub as well as two new records set in North Carolina for both channel catfish and the blue catfish. The Maryland state record for swordfish was broken once and then broken twice this summer, and the Swordfish record in Mississippi was also broken. The largest chinook salmon ever caught in the Great Lakes also broke the Michigan state record. An Oklahoma man threw back the Texas state record flathead catfish before he had it certified. Large and smallmouth bass records were both broken in South Dakota and in North Dakota.

Other state records that were broken this year also include a Paddlefish in Oklahoma, a Skipjack and a Muskie in West Virginia, a Lake Trout in Illinoisand a Fallfish Minnow in VirginiaPlus, there were several new state records caught in Montana this year, including largemouth bass, walleye, long-nose sucker, and brown trout. In addition to being state records, new world records have been set for several species this year, too, including a Bullhead Catfish in Louisiana, a Sunfish in Arizona, a Meanmouth Bass in Texas, and a Tiger Trout in Washington.

Now we’ve got a new state to add to the ever-growing list and a new species of fish.

An angler in New Jersey recently hauled in a new record for a saltwater species known as gray tilefish.

According to Mid Jersey News, The fish was 34-inches long and 25-inches around and weighed 23-pounds 8-ounces. It broke the previous state record by 4-ounces and has already been certified by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Control.

It is one of the largest tilefish ever documented, as the species typically weigh just 5 to 8-pounds on average. They are long-living fish that have been known to reach ages of almost 30-years in the wild.

They are exceptionally tasty fish that has even been nicknamed the “poor man’s lobster” due to their similar taste. Their name is derived from their habit of digging into the sand to make shallow burrows, covering the ocean floor like a tile while they rest and seek protection from predators.

The fish was caught by George Hanakis, who was fishing aboard a 125-foot deep sea charter fishing boat known as the Jamaica.

“New Certified NJ State Record caught onboard the Jamaica by George Hanakis!”

If you want to do some fishing in New Jersey, step one should purchase a fishing license.

Please keep in mind that you do need to purchase separate licenses for fishing fresh and saltwater.

Oftentimes you do not need to purchase a license when fishing with a professionally licensed saltwater guide, though, as most of the time, they have their entire boats licensed for chartered trips like this. It’s best to check with the captain directly.

The sale of fishing licenses directly funds the protection and enhancement of public boat ramps, aquatic environments, and fish populations in all 50 states.

It also protects you from potentially being fined, having your gear confiscated, and/or losing your fishing privileges. It’s important to remember that just because you have a fishing license in one state, that does not mean it is valid in another state.

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