According to Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) new state records for six fish species as caught from fresh and saltwater were established during the 2022 Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament. Anglers landed their record catches from a freshwater pond, the Nanticoke River and the Atlantic Ocean, where there were three saltwater state records set, including a tautog weighing almost 21-1/2 pounds caught from a Delaware artificial reef site established by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.
- A 7-pound 10-ounce, 30-inch chain pickerel caught March 5 at McGinnis Pond near Frederica by William Mack of Frederica, DE while fishing from his kayak.
- A 21-pound 7.7-ounce, 32-inch tautog landed May 5 at Artificial Reef Site 11 by Brent Wiest of Milton, DE of the Katydid.
- A 26-pound 11.2-ounce, 35.5-inch false albacore reeled in on July 8 by Mike Spayd of Wyomissing, PA aboard the No Limit captained by Jon Azato.
- An 89-pound 3.2-ounce, 63-inch cobia caught July 15 by Scott Brooks of Hockessin, DE while fishing on the Coughin’ captained by Jesse Coulbourn.
- A 25-pound 8-ounce, 38-inch blueline tilefish landed Aug. 27 from by Dain Hursh of York, PA while fishing on the Outnumbered captained by Chris Graham.
- A 48-pound 3.2 ounce, 40.5-inch blue catfish reeled in Oct. 8 from the Nanticoke River by James Lord of Bridgeville, DE.
For more information about Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament state records, visit de.gov/recfishing.
