Golden Tilefish
The Golden Tilefish was unknown until May 1879, when Captain William H. Kerby of the schooner William V. Hutchins caught the first specimen south of Nantucket Lightship while working cod lines. When his crew found that the plentiful fish made a tasty meal, some of the specimens were salted down and taken to Gloucester where a portion of the catch was smoked.
Golden Tilefish are most abundant in water from 50 to 80 fathoms deep (300 to 480 ft) from Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, south to Cape May, New Jersey and are generally concentrated around the edges and slopes of submarine canyons adjacent to the outer continental shelf – a narrow band of real estate along the outer edge of the continental shelf where the sea floor is bathed by warm water from the Gulf Stream.
Golden Tilefish are shelter-seeking fish (presumably to avoid predators), and adults have been observed using rocks, ledges, and shipwrecks, along with horizontal and vertical burrows in the clay and silt substrates (with these colonial structures commonly referred to as ‘pueblo’ dwellings) of the upper slopes and flanks of offshore submarine canyons like the well known Hudson Canyon.
The golden tilefish fishery is carefully managed by NOAA’s Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and are considered not overfished, nor subject to overfishing.
Golden Tilefish predominately feed upon bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs and lobsters, and has firm, pinkish white flesh that provides a lobster or crab-like taste. Once cooked, the meat is mild-flavored and succulent. and remains very moist after cooking.
Some comments we have heard:
“The fish was very moist, almost had butter like texture, with a nice crust from the sear. I would recommend trying this fish if you have the chance, its quite flavorful as well. Chef serves the fish on top of a ragu of local beans and fish stock, and fresh vegetables.”
“Steam this fish without any spice, dip it in drawn butter, and the taste is awesome! ”
“If you love lobster, you”ll love tilefish.”
A Golden Tilefish boat lands at Gosman’s Dock in Montauk, NY every few days throughout the year, and we now have the privilege of delivering these glorious creatures to chefs across the country year-round.
Enjoy.

fish report