State Records Set For Snowy Grouper and Golden Tilefish

A “deep-drop” bottom fishing trip on April 29, 2007 produced the initial state records for both snowy grouper and golden tilefish. Jeffrey G. Dail of Poquoson established the initial state record for golden tilefish with a 44-pounder and Roger Burnley of Virginia Beach set the mark for snowy grouper with a 49-lb., 9 oz. fish. Burnley has filed an application with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) for acceptance of his snowy grouper as the world all-tackle record.

Both anglers caught their fish in over 90 fathoms of water near the Norfolk Canyon while fishing with Ken Neill, III on his private boat Healthy Grin. Dail’s tilefish measured 42 inches in length and had a girth of 32 inches, while Burnley’s grouper measured 44.25 inches in length with a girth of 35 inches.

This trip also produced a potential world all-tackle record for Bob Manus of Ark, Virginia. Manus caught a 3-lb., 11 oz. blackbelly rosefish and has applied for recognition with the IGFA.

Golden tilefish and snowy grouper were added to the list of species eligible for state record recognition in November of 2006 due to the increased interest in “deep-drop” bottomfishing off the Virginia coast. These are the first fish registered that met the weight criteria established for initial state record recognition.