The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament issued 4,569 citations for fish of a certain length or weight during 2021. Last year, 2,822 citations were for fish caught, measured and released, while 1,747 were for fish captured and kept.The summary was contained in a recap of the season put out Jan. 6 by tournament officials.

By far the most citations, 1,282, were issued for red drum, a species for which the only option is to catch and release. Next in species popular in the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waters was speckled trout, 744, of which 256 were for captures and 488 for releases. The next most-cited species is the blueline tilefish, caught offshore, at 396. In the bay, 371 cobia citations were issued: 52 for keepers, and 319 for released fish.

No citations were granted in 2021 for croaker, gray trout, spot, or true albacore and bluefish.

In its final report for 2021, the tournament did list some newly recorded citations, including two from the summer.

These includ...