Golden tilefish

Blue-green back fading to pink, bright yellow-gold spots, and a fleshy crest on top of the head.

Most are around 35 in (90 cm).

Up to about 4.1 ft (125 cm) long and 66 lb (30 kg). Source: FishBase

The great northern tilefish feeds mainly on shrimp and crabs, and also eats fish, squid, clams and sea cucumbers.

It lives in deep water, usually over mud or sand and sometimes over rough bottom, and is sensitive to cold water.

Found from Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX), Mexico Gulf Coast, North Carolina, Virginia & Chesapeake Bay, Delaware & New Jersey and New York, Long Island & Connecticut.

Digs burrows in clay and mud on the edge of the continental shelf.

From 262 ft to 1,772 ft deep (80–540 m).

Usually 300–1,000+ ft; electric reels help.

All year where seasons are open; calm summer days make deep dropping easier.

Daylight. Depth matters far more than the clock.

Light current lets you keep baits on the bottom; strong current needs more weight.

Only on calm offshore days — these spots are far out.

Squid and cut fish.

Glow-in-the-dark deep-drop lights on the rig.

Heavy conventional or electric reel on a stout deep-drop rod.

6/0–9/0 circle hooks on a multi-hook deep-drop rig.

65–80 lb braid.

80–150 lb mono.

Deep-drop multi-hook rigs to mud bottom using an electric reel.

Sweet, lobster-like meat — worth the long drop.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Heavy weights and long drops — keep hands clear of line under load. Fish from this deep rarely survive release.

Federal recreational limits apply and a federal permit may be needed — check NOAA. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.