Post Your Big Fish of 2012

[Eskimo]

.




This thread is intended to be a fun, completely self-serving, ego-driven brag thread where people can post (or re-post) their favorite catches from 2012.

There is no obligation to include any information in this thread like who, what, where, when, or how. Posting pictures also doesn't obligate anybody to answer any posted questions, either. Just post your fish!

A while back somebody accused this forum of becoming a "bragging forum". I think some people may feel this way because they came here looking for specific information and are reading threads that read like " I caught this, but I ain't sayin' where or how.". There will be no hard feelings in this thread. It's just for people to post their big fish of 2012.

Ready...set...GO!

[Eskimo]

.

I'll go first.
Here is a Largemouth Bass i caught and released this summer.
It measured 18" long, so I figure it was about 3 pounds.


http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/Full_Stringer/Bass2012.jpg

[bigfishy]

54171

54172

54173

54174

54175

[catfishonthelake]

I caught a 200-pound sand tiger and battled a 250-pound blue marlin, but below is what I consider my best catch of the year...and maybe my life. February 24th, 2012 in a rented boat from Dow's on Lake Hopatcong in at 20+mph NW wind with water temps hovering in the mid-30's. Found, hooked and landed all by myself. Put my camera on my cooler on the front bench seat, set the timer, took the big girl out of the net for the pic and then let her go alive. I was more concerned with getting her back in the water than getting a measurement, but almost everyone I've asked in Muskie Inc. and anyone I consider to be a good musky fisherman has told me this was a 50-inch fish. Absolutely the fish of a lifetime.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/416830_3394487707212_1563323423_n.jpg

[Skunk City]

*Hybrid Striped Bass was 26" and 7lbs 2oz on my digital scale...hit a livelined herring at Lake Hopatcong.

*Yellow Perch was a little over 14", no weight...hit a crankbait meant for a Pike :confused: . Caught at a Top Secret location.

*Smallmouth Bass was 18", no weight...hit a live shiner on the Passaic River.

*Largemouth Bass was a little over 21", weighed 5lbs 4oz on my digital scale...hit a big jointed firetiger Rapala also meant for a Pike lol. Caught in the Passaic River.

*Northern Pike was 38", no weight...hit a white/gold spinnerbait on the Passaic River.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/GOPR0201.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/IMG_20120419_181714.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/IMG_3716-1.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/GOPR0214.jpg

[jimmythegreek]

between the countless stripers, smallies, largies this year so far, my PB walleye is the most rewarding catch of the year so far. They are so tuff to catch in NJ I love the challenge......and theres alot of fizzin to do yet

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh556/jimmythegreek1/IMG-20120819-00123.jpg

[kcritch]

My wife caught this Muskie - Oxford Furnace

My biggest LMB - 4lbs Lake Musconetcong. (Caught a 20" SMB that I'm sure was heavier than this but no pic)

And just for fun......this aint a fish but it's the biggest dog I've ever seen!

[SkillfulAngler908]

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/doctaj369/142d5655.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/doctaj369/IMG958615_zpse54da25b.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/doctaj369/052612113611_zpsd4b68f54.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/doctaj369/2012-03-07_15-14-49_515_zps4b752e0a.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/doctaj369/2012-03-13_18-16-03_109_zps9175c806.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r617/doctaj369/2012-03-07_13-42-13_813_zps9d0a8fbf.jpg

Pike - 32in caught you know where on a bucktail
Pick - 26in D&R Canal on a bucktail
Walleye - 24in RR on Husky Jerk14
Crappie - 16.5 in on Jig n Pig
Smallie - 18.5in and thick, RR on a Zoom Fat Albert Grub
LMB - 20.5in about 5lb on a Jig n Pig in Feb

[Leif]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/lpette/BrownonaBlackMarabou.jpg

24 inch Brown

Leif

[msgdan]

Here is one of my best salt water fish this year, caught off Christmas Island, 1300 miles south of Hawaii.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/msgdan/IMGP0311-1.jpg

Here is the biggest pike that I got a picture of this year.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/msgdan/IMGP0455.jpg

Danny V

[FASTEDDIE29]

All PHENOMONAL PIX! Great job JERZY ANGLERS/ NJF MEMBERS! Let's do this again at the end of the year. There's a ton of fizzin left to do, especially after the lakes change over. TIGHT LINES!!!

[Gatto1227]

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q544/Gatto1227/cd85d4c0.jpghttp://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q544/Gatto1227/93419EA0-959E-4932-A80A-A563BA3F255B-36503-00002CE14D9682FB.jpghttp://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q544/Gatto1227/2BAEC1C2-B854-40D3-85BA-447F07A2ECE5-3863-000001E3814FC4DD.jpghttp://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q544/Gatto1227/6C267A19-ECE1-4562-AB7B-9EE8CD753B7F-3863-000001E170B63873.jpg

[15FOOTER]

Assorted big ones

[Gatto1227]

I've asked in Muskie Inc. and anyone I consider to be a good musky fisherman has told me this was a 50-inch fish.

and FAT!

[saxmatt]

Since ice fishing season is coming up and I'm getting the bug I'll post a pair of pike I caught on the same day last February on one of the few days there was actually safe ice. Hopefully we're in for a long cold winter this year.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7196807586_60601d6816_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7196809576_0abb6be5fc_c.jpg

Here are a few carp pics from this year. I got a PB common carp and unofficial record at 53lbs 12oz, and PB mirror that won the big fish prize at the spring wild carp classic up in Baldwinsville NY.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7184615302_7da88ba7df_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7315928484_93a6a5e511_c.jpg

[catfishonthelake]

Thanks Gatto!! Some real frickin' hogs up here. Still plenty of time before the ice arrives and Matt, I have a hunch this winter won't be a wash like last year. I already got new boots.:D

[SkillfulAngler908]

All PHENOMONAL PIX! Great job JERZY ANGLERS/ NJF MEMBERS! Let's do this again at the end of the year. There's a ton of fizzin left to do, especially after the lakes change over. TIGHT LINES!!!

Exacly eddie, the biggest are yet to come!

[saxmatt]

Thanks Gatto!! Some real frickin' hogs up here. Still plenty of time before the ice arrives and Matt, I have a hunch this winter won't be a wash like last year. I already got new boots.:D

It could come sooner than you think. I was out on November 23rd a few years back and got a 41" pike on Thanksgiving morning. I already cleaned out my bait tank and I'm going to start filling it with suckers, goldens and fallfish. I hoping to get the 40" Jersey esox slam this winter: 40" pike, tiger and pure strain. Hopefully I'll pull one out the size of the one in your pic. That thing is a beast!

[catfishonthelake]

It could come sooner than you think. I was out on November 23rd a few years back and got a 41" pike on Thanksgiving morning. I already cleaned out my bait tank and I'm going to start filling it with suckers, goldens and fallfish. I hoping to get the 40" Jersey esox slam this winter: 40" pike, tiger and pure strain. Hopefully I'll pull one out the size of the one in your pic. That thing is a beast!

Thaks man.

And I agree Matt about being soon. Maybe not for Thanksgiving in New Jersey, but I anticipate safe ice in mid-December. A 40-inch Esox ice slam would be legendary, but I have to say if there's one person who could pull it off, it's probably you.

We should hit the ice one day this winter. I have some quick-strike rigs and was going to swing for the fences this year myself. Plus, I think we both can take liberties with our work schedule and we won't have to wait until the weekend.

[tycomps]

Since ice fishing season is coming up and I'm getting the bug I'll post a pair of pike I caught on the same day last February on one of the few days there was actually safe ice. Hopefully we're in for a long cold winter this year.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7196807586_60601d6816_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7196809576_0abb6be5fc_c.jpg

Here are a few carp pics from this year. I got a PB common carp and unofficial record at 53lbs 12oz, and PB mirror that won the big fish prize at the spring wild carp classic up in Baldwinsville NY.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7184615302_7da88ba7df_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7315928484_93a6a5e511_c.jpg

sax, that's one of the best shots I've ever seen of what it must be like to stare down the gaping jaw of a toothy critter before you kiss your tail fin goodbye!

[saxmatt]

Thanks! Photo credit goes to my buddy Kierran Broatch. Kierran is an excellent photographer, story teller and all around fisherman I know. He writes for On The Water magazine, did their interview and pics of the world record srtiper caught last year. Check out his blog, it's great:

http://www.thectyankee.com/

[PAMonger]

My first NJ skillful angler award:

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/86/86/5/80/96/2247580960098291709ltpLbI_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2247580960098291709ltpLbI)

Plus getting my dad his first 35#+ striper...

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/86/86/7/1/23/2163701230098291709NOMUfN_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2163701230098291709NOMUfN)

[jimmythegreek]

[QUOTE=catfishonthelake]I caught a 200-pound sand tiger and battled a 250-pound blue marlin, but below is what I consider my best catch of the year...and maybe my life. February 24th, 2012 in a rented boat from Dow's on Lake Hopatcong in at 20+mph NW wind with water temps hovering in the mid-30's. Found, hooked and landed all by myself. Put my camera on my cooler on the front bench seat, set the timer, took the big girl out of the net for the pic and then let her go alive. I was more concerned with getting her back in the water than getting a measurement, but almost everyone I've asked in Muskie Inc. and anyone I consider to be a good musky fisherman has told me this was a 50-inch fish. Absolutely the fish of a lifetime.
[QUOTE]

catfish that things a hog, unbeleivable. I saw a pic in rollie and helens catalog I just got of a smaller one of you, nice job bro. Im on the hunt for one myself this year just tryin to figure them out

[FASTEDDIE29]

Couple good fish from the Raritan River.:D

[AndyS]

Brown trout video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZt2HquSvbA

[catfishonthelake]

[QUOTE=catfishonthelake]I caught a 200-pound sand tiger and battled a 250-pound blue marlin, but below is what I consider my best catch of the year...and maybe my life. February 24th, 2012 in a rented boat from Dow's on Lake Hopatcong in at 20+mph NW wind with water temps hovering in the mid-30's. Found, hooked and landed all by myself. Put my camera on my cooler on the front bench seat, set the timer, took the big girl out of the net for the pic and then let her go alive. I was more concerned with getting her back in the water than getting a measurement, but almost everyone I've asked in Muskie Inc. and anyone I consider to be a good musky fisherman has told me this was a 50-inch fish. Absolutely the fish of a lifetime.
[QUOTE]

catfish that things a hog, unbeleivable. I saw a pic in rollie and helens catalog I just got of a smaller one of you, nice job bro. Im on the hunt for one myself this year just tryin to figure them out

Thanks Jimmy. And yeah, my friend is a friend of Jim at Rollie's and snuck that pic in there without telling me. It was pretty cool. If you need help figuring them out, feel free to PM me or even better, come to one of the Muskies Inc. meetings. We meet the last Tuesday of every month at the Arrowhead Lodge in Denville. Great group of guys and it's helped me seriously cut the learning curve down.

[Lard Almighty]

The fruits of calling in sick, 4/18 on a kastmaster:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/4-18-12.jpg

My first ever shad, on the Raritan River, 5/2 on a grub:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/RR050212-shad.jpg

A few minutes later, my first ever Raritan River walleye, on the same grub:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/RR050212-walleye-1.jpg

My PB shad on the Big D, 5/5 on a Blue Fox:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/IMG_1267r.jpg

A decent pike on Champlain, 6/30 on a spinnerbait:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/599352_411213405581473_1601941935_n.jpg

My best bass of the year (so far), 7/28 on a Slug-Go:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/Photo184r.jpg

My biggest rainbow of the year (so far), on the West Branch of the Delaware, 9/29 on a Panther Martin:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/Photo188r.jpg

About half an hour later, my biggest brown of the year (so far) on the same Panther Martin:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee260/BlackSeventeen/Photo190r.jpg

[catfishonthelake]

Some more 2012 highlights.....and I ain't nearly done.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/423065_3379579574518_1055239715_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/391497_3584914427761_1406393840_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/542782_3602942958463_1278593829_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/557807_3603065441525_1017237452_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/545102_3642751393649_1589379080_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/526480_3683583254420_182595829_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555380_3988677881595_659929469_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/564945_4053694946981_1768496809_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/530902_4477955433228_30705908_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404079_4506367903522_721073832_n.jpg

[ChaosStarter]

Didn't get a SMB over 3.5lbs (my pb) so no pictures of that. But I did get my first 5lb LMB, and then 2 weeks later, my second. I also got my best (for the time being) hybrid at spruce. Hoping to break all of these records and finally get a 4lb+ SMB eventually.

Candlewood Lake
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/418889_461417053879072_638485013_n.jpg

Round Valley
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/483947_456589411028503_466592226_n.jpg

Spruce
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/579687_419514378069340_396017299_n.jpg



I did get my new PB Striper though. :D
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/521497_415880275099417_1201893833_n.jpg

[jimmythegreek]

Thanks Jimmy. And yeah, my friend is a friend of Jim at Rollie's and snuck that pic in there without telling me. It was pretty cool. If you need help figuring them out, feel free to PM me or even better, come to one of the Muskies Inc. meetings. We meet the last Tuesday of every month at the Arrowhead Lodge in Denville. Great group of guys and it's helped me seriously cut the learning curve down.

thanks bro, I'll do that. What day does it fall on this month and what time is the meeting? I would like to come check it out and learn sumthin lol

[jimmythegreek]

Chaosstarter that last pic of the striper is a beauty. I am jealous lol

[catfishonthelake]

thanks bro, I'll do that. What day does it fall on this month and what time is the meeting? I would like to come check it out and learn sumthin lol

Cool man. It's Tuesday the 30th

[m(a)ce]

Great job everyone! lots of great fish ^^^ yay NJ!

my first Muskie!

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s387/matthewerrico/2b80f223.jpg

bass on the Big D

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s387/matthewerrico/659165872a719145c07ebda48aa039fd.jpg

my gf getting some big bass. She was stoked!

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s387/matthewerrico/9DF2A79B-3467-4767-8A8A-EB9A69455C7B-8200-00000840675CA11F.jpg

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s387/matthewerrico/28F4DFE4-05D0-499C-8A27-CA8BEADA2283-8200-0000084079471FFA.jpg

[dfish28]

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/44fbde4a.jpg
First bass on our new/used boat "Bad Habit"

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/16c01e13.jpg
Why I've been slow gettin back in full gear!

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/c8c50b18.jpg
Yup... Muddysquan, but I fought this guy hangin over the tree for more than a few seconds... No net all I catch there are handled in the water by hand...,usually..., this one made the smoker grade

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/null-3.jpg
First ever Bft trip that I did the nav... Sore arms ... Plus many more since
http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/null-6.jpg
Dozens n dozens- first trip to SRr like those jc spreaders... They got the Bft too above,,, wanna get em all but got to get out on a private boat..

It's not over!!!

[NorthJerzyG]

Awesome fish EVERYONE!!! All caught in this great, grimy state of NJ!!!!!

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0782.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0836.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMG_6168.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0026.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0184.jpg

[NorthJerzyG]

And remember, RESPECT YOUR FISHERY!!!! LOL.........

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0150.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0716.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0710.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i419/NorthjerzyG/IMAG0956.jpg

[GetANet]

My Biggest Rainbow of the year 4 1/2 lbs.....Tagged Trophy Trout / Biggest Largemouth / Biggest Crappie so far.................

[tycomps]

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/44fbde4a.jpg
First bass on our new/used boat "Bad Habit"

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/16c01e13.jpg
Why I've been slow gettin back in full gear!

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/c8c50b18.jpg
Yup... Muddysquan, but I fought this guy hangin over the tree for more than a few seconds... No net all I catch there are handled in the water by hand...,usually..., this one made the smoker grade

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/null-3.jpg
First ever Bft trip that I did the nav... Sore arms ... Plus many more since
http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o588/dfish28/null-6.jpg
Dozens n dozens- first trip to SRr like those jc spreaders... They got the Bft too above,,, wanna get em all but got to get out on a private boat..

It's not over!!!

that makes two of us! how'd you manage yours?

[crustyangler17]

my football caught in the summmer 3lbs 5 oz but only 16" :D

[tycomps]

8lb channel cat on catfish night at the canal.

[FASTEDDIE29]

WHOOOOOOOOO, we sure do have some HOGS in our little state. Great job fellas. If I forget at the end of the year, lets have a repost of this thread when all is said and done. Theres alot of anglers on here that fish right through the colder months. I mean Walleye, Pike and Musky season is here as I type. And of course there is always slab Crappie, Smallies and Trout to catch. By the end of December when we do this again I expect this thread to be about 50 pages long. Lets get em boyz. TIGHT LINES!!!!!:D

[NJ219bands]

My 27th NJ Skillful Angler Award Fish.

[Eskimo]

at the end of the year, lets have a repost of this thread when all is said and done. Theres alot of anglers on here that fish right through the colder months.

There shouldn't be a need to make another thread. This is a 'living thread'. Feel free to bump it back to the top any time up until 2013.


Here is another Largemouth Bass catch-and-release that was almost 18 inches.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/Full_Stringer/Bass9_2012.jpg

[bunker dunker]

congrats to all,those are some really great fish.i'll have to work harder this year so i can post some pics

[FASTEDDIE29]

37 inch PIKE with half a tail. 11 lbs 7 oz:D

[FASTEDDIE29]

Biggest, fattest Brook Trout Ive ever caught. March 2012 in the KLG.:D

[tycomps]

37 inch PIKE with half a tail. 11 lbs 7 oz:D

I can only imagine what bites the tail off a 37" pike! big ass snapper? 38" pike?

[shucker]

54255

54256

54257

54258

[shucker]

54260

54261

54262

54263

[basspilot]

Got this one on a plane old chigger craw. If you know the spot dont burn because you know the reason why. It was 8.2Lbs beat my previous PB by over 2lbs.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Huge Bucketmouth!!! Sweet!!!

[tjc76]

18 inch smallmouth, 3-6 on my digital scale, new personal best

[tjc76]

bad pic of a 16 inch brookie

[tjc76]

at 15 inches, not the biggest, but beautiful coloration on this smallie

[tycomps]

Got this one on a plane old chigger craw. If you know the spot dont burn because you know the reason why. It was 8.2Lbs beat my previous PB by over 2lbs.

whoa, that's impressive!

[dopderbeck]

Lake Ontario King Salmon with my best fishing buddy:

http://flic.kr/p/dmmTSP

and stripers in Atlantic Highlands

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yqvffvgoa4h3g6l/fishstipe.JPG

and a nice pickerel in the Adirondacks:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ibr87smpi8r6xin/fishpick.jpg

[dfish28]

Don't know if you'll see this Ty comps but I was in the dominican on a company trip getting a drink for my woman and her friend and took a slide with two in hand and just twisted the FUBAR out of
My ankle on a rainy day at the bar... Unfortunately I wasn't drinking yet... Prob wouldnt have happened if I was " looser" Ohh well, now I get the prolific random search each time at the airport...

[Jerseydix]

Manasquan Res bass from Sept. Hit a craw patterned crankbait.

[tycomps]

Don't know if you'll see this Ty comps but I was in the dominican on a company trip getting a drink for my woman and her friend and took a slide with two in hand and just twisted the FUBAR out of
My ankle on a rainy day at the bar... Unfortunately I wasn't drinking yet... Prob wouldnt have happened if I was " looser" Ohh well, now I get the prolific random search each time at the airport...

bummer, and i had to get slammed to the pavement at 40mph to get mine! haven't flown yet but they say I don't need a card or anything, mine's titanium. it'll be a year on 11/27/2012, I've gotten about 80% back and it still hurts everyday.

[Jigman13]

6.02 lb brown trout, variety of chubby largemouth, pb pike, and a nice 75 lb yellowfin on the chunk!