DNREC Confirms New State Record Golden Tilefish

Logan Smith aboard the boat Blue Betty II with his new state record Golden Tilefish that weighed 56 pounds, 3.2 ounces and eclipsed the previous record by almost 3.5 pounds /Photo courtesy of Logan Smith

Dover Angler Makes Catch in Offshore Waters on Whole Squid

Angler Logan Smith of Dover recently reeled in a 56-pound 3.2-ounce Golden Tilefish, setting a new state record as confirmed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Smith’s catch, which measured 42.5-inches in length, surpasses the previous record, set in 2020 by a then-13-year-old Dylan Baker, by nearly 3.5 pounds.

Smith and his friends left the Indian River Inlet on Capt. Austin Decker’s boat, Blue Betty II, and headed out to Poormans Canyon. It was there, 60 miles offshore from the inlet and in 650-foot-deep waters, that Smith caught his prize, using whole squid as bait.

When he hooked the Golden Tilefish at that depth, Smith was unsure of what was on the end of his line: “When it bit, I had no idea what it was, because it was pulling drag like crazy,” he said. “When me and my buddies finally saw some color from the fish and brought it into the boat, we thought it could be a state record.” Smith, who was surprised at pulling the massive fish aboard, said that as an angler, the state record has been his biggest fishing accomplishment so far.

The Golden Tilefish was certified by Delaware Natural Resources Police at Hook ‘em & Cook ‘em bait and tackle shop in South Bethany. Smith’s state record is one of the most recent additions to the DNREC Fishing Records page, which lists all Delaware fishing records for both freshwater and saltwater species.

Fishing state records in Delaware are managed by DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife through the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, which has already seen four new records set in 2025. For more information on recreational and commercial fishing, including regulations and licensing, visit the DNREC Fisheries Section.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contact: Beatrix Nowak, beatrix.nowak@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov 

###