Virginia Saltwater Fishing

A Virginia angler has established a North Carolina state record with the 45-pound golden tilefish he caught off Cape Hatteras this summer.

Guy R. Jones of Newport News, Va., caught the fish using cut bait on 60-pound line test with a Shimano Torium 20, Offshore Angler Model Power Stick.

The fish measured 43.5 inches from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail and had a 30-inch girth. Jones caught the fish July 3 while fishing with Captain Derek Taylor aboard the charter boat The Carolina Girl.

North Carolina previously did not have a state record golden tilefish. To establish a state record fish, the angler must submit an application that is then reviewed by N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries staff and a N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament Advisory Board.

“The fish must be exceptionally large for North Carolina waters and within a reasonable range of the world record,” said Carole Willis, sportfishing specialist with the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The world record golden tilefish, caught in 2007 off Maryland, stands at 59 pounds, 3 ounces.

On November 1, 2009, new tilefish permit requirements will go into effect that require commercial vessels to be issued an open access commercial tilefish and/or open access charter/party permit in order to fish for, possess, or land tilefish in or from the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to NERO officials, this requirement applies to fishing New England down to the VA-NC border.

Be advised, to possess tilefish in excess of the incidental trip limit, beginning November 1, 2009, a vessel must fish under both an IFQ Allocation permit and an open access tilefish commercial permit.

Changes to Commercial Tilefish Permits

Tilefish permit categories A, B, C, and D will not be valid after October 31, 2009 and have been replaced with a new open access category 1 tilefish permit. If a vessel was issued a category A, B, C, or D tilefish permit for the 2009 fishing
year, it will automatically be issued an open access category 1 tilefish permit under the following designation “TILEFISH – COMMERCIAL /INCIDENTAL – 2009”.

New Party/Charter Tilefish Permit

A new open access category 2 tilefish charter/party permit has also been established and is effective November 1, 2009. To be issued the charter/party permit for tilefish, fishermen must submit a complete application to the Northeast Region Permit Office.

Applications for the charter/party permit for tilefish can be obtained by calling the Permit Office or by going online at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/hotnews/tileamend1/

Fishermen are advised to call the Permit Office at (978) 282-8438 with any permit related questions. For other questions about Amendment 1 to the Golden Tilefish FMP, call the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315.

source: NERO press release