Millsboro Man Sets White Hake Fishing Record

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources say a Millsboro, Delaware man was responsible for catching a rare white hake off the coast of Ocean City.

Brian Gay, an experienced angler was fishing for sea bass in roughly 280 feet deep water 50 miles off the coast in Poor Man’s Canyon when he felt a bite. After several minutes, the “monster” fish came to the surface, weighing in at 16.71 pounds. The fish was caught using a “top-and-bottom” two-hook ring with a 16 ounce sinker and clam bait.

Gay said “I had no idea what it was.” He said he and his friends on the boat believed they had a world record red hake, which is similar in appearance.

A DNR biologist identified the species by counting the scales and examining the fish’s eyes and jaw structure. After that examination, the Department added the species to it’s official record book.