Prepare for deployment

"Finding and catching gray tilefish is like playing a game of cat and mouse. The trick is pinpointing their preferred habitat, and then effectively presenting baits directly into the colony some 500 feet below. Make the right moves, and you’ll be rewarded with the most delicate fillets you’ll ever sink your teeth into."
- Chris Young

I was recently introduced to deep water tilefishing by somewhat of an accident. Our initial plans had us departing Hillsboro Inlet along Florida’s southeast coast in the predawn hours on a high-speed expedition in search of wahoo. When our plan failed to come together quite as anticipated - three feverish hours of zigzagging without a single strike - Captain Mike Genoun, Florida Sport Fishing’s very own editor in chief, suggested we switch to Plan B, deep-dropping.

After a brief explanation, my initial thoughts left me believing that the approach lacked the luster and excitement associated with dragging lure and natural bait combinations for popular pelagic fish, a tactic I was quite comfortable with and thoroughly enjoyed. Wow, was I wrong! In reality, I enjoyed the experience so much, that I immediately delved into the rigorous choir of learning everything I could about this intriguing bottom dweller. Surprisingly, I wanted to become an expert at finding and catching gray tilefish. It turned out that Captain Mike was right on when he said, “Watch out, deep-dropping is addictive!”

A serious look at the sensational fishery….

Tilefish are members of the Malacanthidae family, a group of demersal fish widespread in tropical and temperate waters. With over 30 species recorded worldwide, two of the most popular, golden tilefish and blueline or gray tilefish, are common in the Western Atlantic. Of the two, the golden tilefish is the more colorful and the most desirable due to its golden coloration and size (adults typically reach 40 pounds). However, it’s the smaller and less colorful gray tile that is the most abundant.

All species of tilefish have firm, tender flesh similar to that of a snowy grouper. Their delicate flavor has been compared to lobster and scallop meat, a clear reflection of a cold water diet that consists primarily of crustaceans and shellfish.

Along the southeastern coast of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico, tilefish typically live in crevasses and caves in small groups near submerged canyons, ridges and ledges at depths ranging from 400 to more than 1,000 feet. Gray tilefish, the sub-species we were after, are also known to bore holes in flat or sloping mud flats. Rocky bottom is simply too hard for tilefish to dig into and grainy sand is way too unstable. Marine researchers aren't exactly sure why gray tilefish prefer one particular depth over another, but the general consensus is that it is the composition of the sea floor coupled with their preferred temperature that have a lot to do with it.

Speaking of temperature, gray tilefish are surprisingly temperature sensitive for a species residing at such extraordinary depths. Colonies migrate from shallower to deeper areas to remain within their preferred comfort zone. Deep water probes have revealed that there is a band of relatively warm water, around 50 degrees, that hugs the ocean floor within their range year-round, even while temperatures above the thermocline read as much as 20 degrees cooler.

It’s obvious that the predominant fishing method for gray tilefish is deep-dropping with the greatest success encountered during the daylight hours. Like me, you are probably wondering how a fish which thrives in total darkness could tell the difference between 12 o’clock noon and 12 o’clock midnight. It’s their extraordinary eyesight that provides them with this supernatural ability.

Captain Mike pointed out that you rarely mark gray tilefish on your fish-finder - remember they live in burrows – which is what makes locating colonies of fish so difficult. The idea is to pinpoint the correct bottom composition at the correct depth. Once you do, it isn't too hard to get the fish’s undivided attention.

My first experience deep-dropping was accompanied by ideal conditions with a minimal breeze and half-knot drift. While you do want to be moving in order to cover ground in search of concentrations of activity, anything over a knot can make holding the bottom difficult. I’ve since joined Captain Mike on multiple deep-drop expeditions and was quickly instructed on how to maintain the boat’s position into the current while all aboard hauled up fish after fish.

Tackle for this sort of angling ranges from fully automatic electric gear, to standard high-capacity conventional reels loaded with super braid. Braid’s ultra-thin diameter allows deep-droppers the benefit of deploying as little line as possible to reach and hold the bottom. Zero stretch also translates into a minimal bow in the line and ultra-sensitivity. I was surprised that I could feel even the most subtle strikes from more than 500 feet below. I will tell you what though, after reeling in two or three fish on conventional gear, the electric equipment sure seemed inviting.

Fortunately, anglers from St. Augustine to Key West looking for an exciting alternative can get in on this fishery. Stretches of deep water featuring muddy bottom composition can be found up and down the entire coast by closely studying nautical charts, though you can’t beat first-hand information from fellow anglers who consistently find and catch gray tiles. Problem is, these coordinates are guarded secrets that many charter captains and veteran fishermen are not anxious to reveal. A worthy, and what may be your only option, is doing the research yourself. When I questioned Captain Mike on how he pinpointed local areas overflowing with grays, he said that he gathered as much information as he could from a variety of reliable sources, and then ventured out on a few exploratory trips until he hit the mother load. As fast as the 48 oz. lead hit the bottom, one, two, and sometimes three gray tilefish jumped all over the multiple hook, squid-baited deep-drop rigs. From there, canvassing the immediate area outlined the precise playing field.

What else my experiences have taught me about gray tilefishing is that if the fish are there, it won’t take you very long to know it. Start in 400 ft. which may be four or 40 miles from your inlet, and work your way offshore while making experimental drops at 25 ft. depth intervals until you achieve the results you are looking for. Typically, if you don’t encounter strikes within five to ten minutes of your juicy baits hitting the bottom, move on. Sure, playing the game will take time, effort and specialized gear, but once you score big, I guarantee that you, too, will be hooked!