Maryland State Record Yellowedge Grouper

Maryland State Record Yellowedge Grouper

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognized Jian Feng Li of Silver Spring as the first state record holder for yellowedge grouper (Caulolatilus microps) in the Atlantic division.

Li caught the 38.0-pound, 43-inch fish on August 27, 2024 while fishing in Poorman’s Canyon off Ocean City. He was deep-dropping with false albacore strips for bait and was using a hand-cranked conventional reel.

The group of anglers on Captain Chase Eberle’s charter boat Tiderunner started the day fishing offshore for dolphinfish (mahi) and other pelagic fish.

Eventually, the anglers decided to deep drop false albacore strip baits with heavy sinkers into 420 feet of water in Poorman’s Canyon, looking for large bottom fish.

Four anglers hooked up with big fish, and three broke off. Li was the only angler to bring his fish to the surface.

Staff at Sunset Marina in Ocean City weighed the fish on a certified scale. Maryland DNR biologist Gary Tyler confirmed the species.

The traditional range of yellowedge grouper was thought to be from North Carolina to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

With the increased popularity of deep dropping, anglers have reported catching yellowedge groupers in the canyons off of New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.

Yellowedge groupers are a solitary, deep-water species occurring in rocky areas and on sand or mud bottoms in 290 to 1200 feet of water. On soft bottoms, they are often seen in or near trenches or burrow-like excavations.

Yellowedge grouper feed on a wide variety of invertebrates (mainly brachyuran crabs) and fishes. They are considered very good for eating, among the best of the grouper species when fresh.

Li’s catch is the first state record for this species. It is only 10.6 pounds lighter than the International Game Fish Association world record yellowedge grouper, a 48.6-pound fish caught off Dauphin Island, Alabama in June 2012.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions — Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive.

Maryland State Record White Perch (Coastal)

A new Maryland state record (coastal) was set in November with a 1.2-pound, 13-inch white perch. The catch was made by Finn McCabe while fishing at Ayers Creek near Assateague Island.

He put the perch, one of the state’s most popular fish, on ice, and the following day took it to Sunset Marina in Ocean City for an official weigh-in. From there, he visited a nearby Maryland Department of Natural Resources field office, where fisheries biologist Steve Doctor certified the species.

Following the formal application and certification process, the department was able to announce the catch as a new state record in the Maryland Atlantic division.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland State Record Winter Flounder

Winter Flounder

The Maryland state record for winter flounder was broken in June with the catch of a five-pound, two-ounce fish.

Twilley set the mark while bottom fishing in 140 feet of water, 26 miles east of Ocean City aboard the charter boat Fish Bound with Captain Kane Bounds.

Captain Bounds called a friend onshore to check the record, which was a four-pound, seven-ounce fish caught by Jeremy Kuhn in 2006.

Back at Bahia Marina, they weighed the fish on a certified scale and called DNR’s coastal fisheries biologist Steve Doctor to confirm the species and the weight.

Marylanders most often catch summer flounder, which have both eyes on the left side. Winter flounder are more prevalent in the Northeast and feature eyes on the right side.

A complete list of Maryland state record fish can be found on the DNR Fisheries website.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland State Record Tautog - Possible World Record

On January 2, 2015, Kenneth Westerfeld of College Point, NY landed a 28.8-pound tautog, which set a new Maryland state record for the species. Westfield's fish eclipsed the previous state record, a 23 pound tautog caught by Charles Donohue near Ocean City in 2012.

Westerfeld caught the fish using a Jonah crab rigged on a seven-foot, two-inch Calstar Custom rod loaded with 50-pound braided running line and a 50-pound fluorocarbon leader on a Shimano Tymos reel.

The fish was caught approximately 20 miles southeast of Ocean City while fishing in about 75-feet of water with Captain Kane Bounds on the charter boat Fish Bound.

"Ocean City is the best place for big tautog," said Westerfeld. "The water clarity is very good and the offshore wrecks hold some really big fish. I’ve been fishing very hard for over 20 years to catch a 20 pound tog."

Jacob Widgeon at Sunset Marina weighed the fish on the marina’s International Game Fish Association (IGFA)-certified scale.

Maryland Department of Natural Recourses fisheries biologist Keith Lockwood examined and confirmed the species, making the new Maryland record official. Westerfeld is pursuing the all-tackle world record certification with IGFA.

The current world record for tautog stands at 25 pounds.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland State Record Gray Triggerfish

A new Maryland state record for gray triggerfish was set recently. Angler Wayne Gower of Baltimore landed the 5 lb. 2 oz. triggerfish on October 31,2014 while bottom-fishing aboard a charter off Ocean City, MD.

Gower was one of about 20 passengers on charter Captain Chris Mizurak’s 65-foot head boat for a trip to the Great Eastern Reef. Mizurak called DNR Fisheries biologist Steve Doctor to inform him they had a large triggerfish to weigh.

The crew met Doctor at the dock where he confirmed the species, and then headed to Sunset Marina where weighmaster Amanda Sprows certified its weight. DNR fisheries biologists agreed that a gray triggerfish of this size in Maryland is rare and deserving of a record.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland State Record Cobia

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service recently certified a new Atlantic division cobia record.

In September, Jack Latimer of Potomac caught a 79-pound cobia about a mile and a half east of Ocean City inlet.

The record setting cobia took a bucktail jig tipped with soft-plastic twister tail. The fish was taken to Ake Marina in Ocean City MD where DNR fisheries biologist Steve Doctor joined to confirm the species and the weight. The fish was 60 inches long with a girth of 30 inches.

DNR maintains State records for sport fish in three divisions - Atlantic, Chesapeake and freshwater - and awards plaques to anglers who achieve new record catches.

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013 Maryland Striped Bass YOY

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently announced that the 2013 striped bass juvenile index is 5.8.

The survey is conducted at 22 major sites in the four major spawning systems; the Choptank, Potomac, and Nanticoke rivers, and the Upper Bay.

DNR biologists visited each site monthly from July through September, collecting fish samples with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine. Juvenile indices are calculated as the average catch of young-of-year fish per sample.

During this year’s survey of juveniles, biologists counted more than 34,000 fish of 51 different species, including 759 juvenile Striped Bass.

The survey indicated that a number of other species experienced good spawning conditions during the 2013 season. American shad reproduction was approximately four times higher than the long-term average, particularly in the Potomac River. White perch experienced near-average reproduction.

DNR has monitored the reproductive success of Striped Bass and other species in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay annually since 1954.

For more information, visit: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/juvindex/

source:  Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting

NMFS plans to hold an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel Meeting on September 9-12, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotel, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks.

For more information, visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Advisory%20Panels/Advisory_Panel.htm

source: NOAA Fisheries

Maryland State Record Cod

Fred Brungart of York, Pennsylvania caught a Maryland state record 38-inch, 24-pound Atlantic cod on May 31 while fishing out of Ocean City. Brungart hooked the fish aboard the 80-foot headboat Ocean Princess captained by Victor Bunting.

After recognizing that the Maryland State record fish list did not include cod, Captain Bunting encouraged Brungart to have his catch weighed on the Ocean City Fishing Center’s scale.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service biologist, Steve Doctor, certified the fish and launched the process to determine if Atlantic cod would qualify as a State record species.

The Atlantic cod may join the list of Maryland Angler Award qualifying fish for the 2014 Maryland Fishing Challenge pending input from the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission and final DNR approval.

source: MD DNR

Maryland Chesapeake Bay Spring Striped Bass Season

The opening weekend of Maryland’s 2013 Chesapeake Bay spring striped bass season was dominated by windy weather and rough conditions. From April 20 through May 15, anglers are limited to one fish per person per day and a minimum size of 28 inches.

Maryland striped bass regulations include a mix of season dates and per-angler per-day fish limits. Size is measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.

April 20 – May 15

Anglers are allowed one fish (28 inch minimum). Fishing for Striped Bass is restricted to Chesapeake Bay waters from the Brewerton Channel to the Virginia Line, including Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. Fishing for Striped Bass is not allowed in any other bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers during the early season.

May 16 – May 31

Anglers are allowed to harvest two fish, minimum 18 inches, with just one over 28 inches. The legal striped Bass fishing area expands slightly during the May striped bass season.

June 1- December 15

Anglers are allowed two fish, minimum 18 inches, with just one over 28 inches. All Maryland Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters open for Striped Bass fishing.

For information on Maryland fishing regulations, visit dnr.state.md.us

source: MD DNR

Maryland State Record Blueline Tilefish

Robert Purcell of Bishopville caught a Maryland record 20-pound blueline tilefish, on September 12, 2012, in Norfolk Canyon. The record breaking tilefish took a strip of skipjack tuna in about 450 feet of water.

The previous Maryland record blueline tilefish was 17 pounds, seven ounces, caught in October 2011 at the Baltimore Canyon by Brendan Hoffman. Purcell’s fish was just four ounces shy of the world record, caught by a Virginia angler over the Norfolk Canyon.

Purcell will receive a state record plaque from DNR and will be recognized at next year’s Maryland Fishing Challenge awards ceremony at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis.

source: MD DNR

Maryland State Record Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

A new Maryland State record has been set for scalloped hammerhead shark by Scott Cusick of Jackson, NJ.

The record setting shark was caught on August 8 during the White Marlin Open tournament. Weighing in at 266 pounds, eight ounces, the fish won the tournament’s largest shark category, earning Cusick a prize of $5,150.

The fish was weighed at Harbor Island Marina. Tournament weigh-master Dale Timmons informed Cusick that he had won the shark division and that the fish could be a State record.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) fisheries biologist Chris Jones then certified the catch as a Maryland record scalloped hammerhead shark. The previous record was a 254-pound fish caught by Jamie Gill over Massey’s Canyon in 2009.

source: MD DNR

Maryland State Record Snowy Grouper

In July, 2012, two anglers caught Maryland record setting snowy grouper.

Robert Purcell, from Bishopville, caught a 56-pound snowy grouper on July 22 over the Norfolk Canyon, about 75 miles southeast of Ocean City, and held the state record for a brief period.

A week later he was replaced by 14-year-old Gregory Benn from Great Falls, Va. who reeled in a 66-pound grouper on July 30. Benn and his father were deep-dropping in about 600 feet of water when the fish took a 12-ounce diamond jig. The massive grouper measured more than 47 inches in length with a girth of 38 inches.

The current all-tackle world record is a 70-pound, 7-ounce snowy grouper caught by Roger Burnley of Virginia Beach from the Norfolk Canyon in 2011. It is also the Virginia State record since it was checked in and weighed in Newport News.

source: MD DNR

2012 Maryland Tautog Regulations

After reviewing data from the previous season, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently tightened regulations for tautog. According to DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell, Maryland is one of several Atlantic states that are restricting tautog harvests.

2012 Maryland Tautog Regulations:

Minimum size limit: 16-inches
Season dates and fish limit per angler:
April 2- May 15, four fish
May 16 - October 31, two fish
November 1-14, four fish

DNR may extend the Tautog November season if late breaking developments in the Atlantic Coast stock assessment warrant. However, under current regulations the season will close from November 15 through December 31, reopening on New Year’s Day 2013 with a four fish limit.

Recently, a new Maryland state record was set for tautog when an angler landed a 23-pound fish on a charter trip out of Ocean City.

Recreational anglers who register tautog measuring 24 inches or longer at Maryland Angler Award Centers will receive free admission and a chance to win prizes at the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge Grand Finale.

source: MD DNR

2012 Maryland Summer Flounder Regulations

For the 2012 fishing season, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is easing regulations for summer flounder. The new regulations are designed to allow recreational anglers improved opportunities to harvest fish while protecting fish populations.

Recreational anglers who register summer flounder measuring 24 inches or longer at Maryland Angler Award Centers across the State will receive free admission and a chance to win prizes at the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge Grand Finale.



2012 Maryland Summer Flounder Regulations:

Minimum size limit: 17 inches
Season dates and fish limit per angler per day:
April 14 - December 16, three fish
   
source: MD DNR

Maryland State Record Tautog

Charles Donohue of Philadelphia caught a 23-pound tautog on January 11, 2012, setting a new State record. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the catch, naming Donohue as the the new record holder. The outstanding catch breaks the previous record of 20-pounds, 11-ounces set by Sam Beauchamp in 2007.

Donohue caught his record 33-inch fish aboard Captain Monty Hawkins’ boat, Morning Star, over an artificial reef about 12 miles east of Ocean City. He was using a whole green crab as bait. Captain Hawkins said he felt the fish was a new record. The other anglers and crew agreed they should return to shore to get the fish weighed on a certified scale at AKE Marine. DNR biologist Steve Doctor met the crew at the dock to witness and certify the weight and species.

"It was a beautiful fish," said Captain Hawkins. "The whole crew limited-out by 9:30, showing that the habitat work and reef building efforts have taken this fishery to new heights."

source: MD DNR

2011 Ocean City Md White Marlin Open

The 2011 White Marlin Open is expected to be competitive this year as Offshore fishing has been good off Ocean City, MD this season.

"The marlin season in Ocean City started with an early bang when the first white was caught on May 29, breaking the old record of June 1," said White Marlin Open founder Jim Motsko. "Fishing has only gotten better with large numbers of white marlin, blue marlin, tuna, and gaffer dolphin being caught."

The 2011 White Marlin Open is expected to draw over 300 boats and $2.25 million in prize money. This year's event takes place the week of August 8th running through August 12th, and boats may enter through Sunday, August 7th.

The White Marlin Open billfish tournament was voted by readers of In The Bite magazine as the tournament they would most like to fish. A portion of 2011 tournament proceeds will go to help benefit the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA).

For more information, log on to www.whitemarlinopen.com or call 410-289-9229.

source: RFA

2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently kicked off the exciting summer component of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Challenge, releasing up to 200 specially tagged striped bass imposters, along with one genuine Diamond Jim (currently worth $10,000) into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries

Each month during the summer (June, July and August), DNR releases 200 imposters worth at least $500 each and one genuine Diamond Jim. He’s worth $10,000 in June, $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August.

This year’s contest features a guaranteed $25,000 payout: If one of the three authentic Diamond Jims is not caught by Labor Day, the cash prize will be split equally among the anglers who catch imposters this summer.

The Maryland Fishing Challenge Citation Award program runs all year long, starting the day after Labor Day and ending the following Labor Day. Every angler who catches an award-qualifying fish or a tagged striped bass and enters the challenge becomes eligible to participate in the grand prize random drawing, to be held during the 43rd annual Seafood Festival on September 10, 2011 at Sandy Point State Park.

More than 60 species of fish are eligible for the grand prizes, including large and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, musky and panfish in the freshwaters of Maryland; rockfish (striped bass), bluefish, drum, sea trout and perch in the Chesapeake Bay; and tuna, marlin, flounder, kingfish and sea bass caught in Maryland waters off the Atlantic Coast.

Two new species have been added to the list; the blueline tilefish and the blue crab. To see the complete citation award species list go to dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge/index.asp?p=species.

To be eligible for the contest, all fish must caught recreationally by rod and reel. Complete rules are available online at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/challenge.




Now in its seventh consecutive year, the Challenge showcases Maryland as a premier sport fishing destination for residents and visitors alike, with accessible, affordable, diverse and high quality opportunities for anglers of all ages.

2011 Maryland Black Sea Bass Season

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released the 2011 black sea bass season and catch limits.

From now until October 11, anglers may possess up to 25 black sea bass, 12.5 inches or larger, per day. The season will reopen for two months between November 1 and the end of the year.

The black sea bass fishery is managed cooperatively by the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which set overall conservation and harvest goals for fish populations that are shared between state and federal waters.

Maryland black sea bass regulations were set thru a cooperative effort which involved fisheries managers and Maryland DNR’s Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee (CFAC).


The CFAC is composed of representatives of local tackle stores, conservation organizations, sport fishing organizations and charter boat captains.

source: MD DNR

New Jetty for Maryland's Sandy Point State Park

Construction is underway to improve the existing stone jetty at the entrance to Mezick Pond at Sandy Point State Park. The jetty is a popular fishing spot and provides protection to boaters using the largest public boat ramp facility in Maryland.

“The jetty is a great spot for local anglers who want to enjoy a day of fishing and is a vital component in protecting the entrance channel to the Park,” said Kenny Hartman, Manager for Sandy Point State Park.

The purpose of the project is to correct structural deficiencies in the jetty and to improve access for anglers. Once completed, the revitalized jetty will sport an eight foot wide surface and a three foot increase in the average height of the overall structure.

The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-April 2011.

source: MD DNR