Maryland Angler Reels in Record-Breaking Blueline Tilefish

A Pasadena angler has etched his name in Maryland's fishing record books with a mammoth blueline tilefish catch off the coast of Ocean City.

London J. Anthony landed a 20.6-pound, 37.25-inch blueline tilefish on August 24, setting a new state record in the Atlantic division, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Anthony's prize catch came during a deep-sea fishing expedition in Poorman's Canyon. Using a hand-cranked conventional reel and cut ballyhoo chunk bait, he hooked the record-breaking fish after a slow morning of trolling.

"We had a long morning trolling with no bites," Anthony said. "Later in the day, Captain Chris Little of Talking Trash Charters pulled a rabbit out of his hat and put us all on a pile of tilefish."

The massive tilefish didn't come easily. Anthony described the experience as "reeling in three cinder blocks," made even more challenging when he realized he had hooked a second fish simultaneously. For tips on reeling in big fish, anglers can refer to expert advice.

Officials verified the catch's weight at Crabs to Go in Berlin, with species confirmation provided by Maryland Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission chair Scott Lenox and DNR recreational fisheries coordinator Erik Zlokovitz.

Blueline tilefish are deep-water dwellers, typically found 240-780 feet below the surface from New Jersey to Mexico's Campeche Banks. They prefer irregular bottom habitats with sand, mud, and shell hash, often sharing space with groupers and snappers.

Anthony's catch surpassed the previous state record of 20.0 pounds, set by Robert Purcell in 2012 at Norfolk Canyon. This achievement highlights the importance of proper fish identification in record-keeping.

The DNR maintains state records for sport fish across four divisions: Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive. Anglers who believe they've landed a record-breaking fish are encouraged to complete a state record application and contact the department for verification.

For those inspired by Anthony's catch and looking to try their luck, the DNR recommends properly preserving potential record catches in ice water until they can be officially checked and certified. Learn more about safely storing your catch to maintain its quality.