Tilefish Size

[Uncle Nicky]

The last couple times I've gone tilefishing on a party boat, the majority of the tilefish being caught were very small (under 5lbs). I'm certainly no expert (which is why I'm asking the question), but is anyone else seeing the same thing? I remember a couple years ago most being much larger. Could it be the captain is pounding the spots hard & all that is left is smaller fish? Or is it the norm this time of year? It does seem like the times I caught bigger fish was more toward May or June rather than late September.

Thanks.

[tautog]

Yes they are a burrowing fish so if you hit a spot too often, you take the cream off the top.

[togzilla]

They are slow growing fish like tog so if the captain is pounding the same areas then he will be weeding out the larger fish

[Uncle Nicky]

Thanks, this is what I suspected. Maybe it's time to try another boat.