My Biggest Trout!

[MrCliffy]

Hey everyone!
New to the forum but love reading all the posts.
Got back to NJ after college ended and decided to head out fishing the next day. I was only there for 20 minutes or so when I saw a fish rise and take something on the top of the water. Since I was mainly geared for trout I rigged the only popper I had thinking this was a bass. Cast it out and hooked on the second pop. I could not believe my eyes but I had just caught my biggest trout [23 inches] ever and on a popper none-the-less. This has been a good year so far. Looks like everyone is having a good one. Some of the other pictures are from various places in Maine with some wild brookies!

-Cliffy
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[The Sinker Man]

Good job and welcome to the site...Keep the reports comming.

[catfishonthelake]

Nice fish man.....and welcome.

[dmk112]

Nice but you probably killed it by touching it. They have a outer coating that is very sensitive to human touch.

[BIGRED2]

who said he didn't take it home and eat it?! :)

[MrCliffy]

Thanks guys,
dmk I did end up taking it home, I do know about the sensitivity but its always good to share for those that don't! :)

Let's see what I can get this weekend!

-Cliffy

[MS22]

First off, nice fish!

Nice but you probably killed it by touching it. They have a outer coating that is very sensitive to human touch.

There is nothing wrong with gently handling a trout as long as you wet your hands beforehand and you make it very quick. Obviously, its best for all fish if they aren't handled. However, trout aren't so fragile that that they can't be gently lifted by wet hands. If they were, you wouldn't see anyone (especially the Trout Unlimited TV host) handling fish. Also, that fish looks like it came from a pond where it will end as snapping turtle food in short order due to water temps;)

[AndyS]

Nice trout and welcome to the site. You touch all the fish you want, gut hooking does far more damage than touching a fish, touch away !!

[shucker]

Congrats and welcome to the site!

[jmurr711]

congrats on the pb and welcome. that fish in the socond pic looks delicious i'd of eaten it whole like a french fry