FishRook
ACCORDING TO DNREC, TAUTOG HAVE A ROUNDED HEAD, THICK LIPS AND POWERFUL TEETH. THE FISH RANGES IN COLOR FROM BROWN TO A GRAYISH BLACK. (PHOTO BY MASSACHUSETTS MARINE FISHERIES/OPENVERSE)
For the second year in a row, a Delaware record has been broken for the same kind of fish.
James Milano of North Babylon, New York, caught a record-breaking tautog measuring 34 inches and weighing in at 22 pounds, 14.4 ounces while fishing over a wreck in the Atlantic Ocean east of Indian River Inlet.
It was 1 pound, 6.7 ounces heavier than the previous state record tautog caught by Brent Wiest in May 2022.
Two consecutive years with record-breaking tautog caught is a sign of an improving fishery for the species in Delaware, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
Milana was fishing aboard the No Limit charter boat with Capt. Jon Azato.
Efforts were not successful to reach Milano for comment.
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