2008 was a good to salt water anglers

Last year was a pretty good one for Virginia's saltwater anglers - especially if your species of choice was a speckled trout.

Anglers working Virginia inshore waters caught a record number of trophy specks. In fact, 2008's total of 1,053 award-winning trout more than doubled the previous high of 476 set in 2007.

"I think it might have a lot to do with the amount of pressure put on the fishery," said Lewis Gillingham, director of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament that oversees trophy awards for the state. "There seem to be a lot more fishermen targeting speckled trout.

"And the Hot Ditch (area of the Elizabeth River) is attracting attention from areas way outside of Hampton Roads."

Gillingham said speckled trout awards were presented to anglers who traveled from North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia and other states. Most were caught in the Hot Ditch area.

"It's an amazing fishery," Gillingham said. "It's incredible the number of fish that come out of that area. And because of the tagging program, we'r e learning that trout grow fast. Many of the 5-pound fish are only 2 years old. And we heard that lots of small fish were caught this year, so it's possible that this fishery can sustain high levels of trophy fishing."

Striped bass made up the highest number of citation awards in the 51st annual running of the state tournament. The state issued 1,298 striper awards in 2008, including a state-record 73-pounder. The number of award-winners was the second-highest for the species, topped only by the 1,400 winners from 2007. Of 2008's award-winners, eight weighed more than 60 pounds, 40 weighed more than 55, and 102 topped 50 pounds.

The state tournament awards release and capture citations for 35 species. The 2008 total was 5,752 awards - the eighth-highest amount since the tournament began in 1958.

Red drum accounted for the third-most citations in 2008, with anglers registering for 551 citations, followed by flounder and black drum.

Three state records were established in 2008. Fred Barnes had the 73-pound rockfish. Aaron Sledd set a mark for golden tilefish with a 56-pound, 8-ouncer. And Jere Humphrey established the standard for snowy grouper with a 66-pounder.

"And we had state records for spadefish and bigeye tuna," Gillingham said. "But they didn't count because they weren't registered properly. It happens every now and then, and that's why we have rules that have to be followed."

The annual awards tournament is operated by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and is paid for with funds from the Virginia Saltwater Recreational Fishing License.

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, or lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com