2012 NJ Skillful Angler winners...

[buzzbaiter]

Idk, some of the biggest fish here seem a bit small for being the biggest. 7lb lmb, 24lb musky, 5lb pickerel? What no 10lb pike were caught??? I think any pike over 35" may qualify. I guess the certified scale requirement is tough to get if you want to release fish alive. The C&R fish are much more impressive: 45" pike, 31" pickerel, 28" brown trout, 19" crappie, etc

http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/skwinn12.htm

[Skunk City]

Got this is the mail this week.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/20130223_135255_zps3e0b8deb.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/20130223_135306_zpsc4652045.jpg

[buzzbaiter]

Interesting in that they don't name the fish species on the actual award:confused:

Here is one of mine from a few years back.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t455/Buzzbaiter/003_zps26893980.jpg

[bigfishy]

Congrats!! I do see ur point about not having species or size on the award??

Just curious, because i have a few fish every year that would qualify, do the fish NEED to be kept in order to recieve this award??

I could see keepin a big stocker trout but i don't know if i would keep a 6+ lb. smallmouth knowing that the fish could be upwards of 5-8 yrs old...Most of my "qualifying" fish would be smallies and i have too much respect for a fish that size that beat the odds,survived and got to trophy stature...

I realize that the fish is just being a fish but i would rather give a fellow angler a shot at catching him, maybe even bigger than before...I think some fish are too valuble to be only caught once...

just my two pennies as i'm sure some guys feel this way about different species...

[acabtp]

There is a C&R category as well as regular weighed category

[Skunk City]

The initial one they send you when you submit it has name, species and size like shown above. Guess it'd be nice to have it on this one, but still cool nonetheless. My buddy/coworker had the biggest Muskie in the C and R category as well. Didn't they use to give rod/reel combos to certain winners? I thought I remember seeing that somewhere. ..

[Skunk City]

Congrats!! I do see ur point about not having species or size on the award??

Just curious, because i have a few fish every year that would qualify, do the fish NEED to be kept in order to recieve this award??

I could see keepin a big stocker trout but i don't know if i would keep a 6+ lb. smallmouth knowing that the fish could be upwards of 5-8 yrs old...Most of my "qualifying" fish would be smallies and i have too much respect for a fish that size that beat the odds,survived and got to trophy stature...

I realize that the fish is just being a fish but i would rather give a fellow angler a shot at catching him, maybe eveningvbigger than before...I think some fish are too valuble to be only caught once...

just my two pennies as i'm sure some guys feel this way about different species...


Some baitshops, granted you keep the fish alive via your livewell or their tanks, will certify it for you. Ive seen Dow's at Hopatcong do it before.

[buzzbaiter]

I've caught plenty of weight-qualifying fish but no way I risk killing them for a piece of paper. I never use a boat so livewell is not an option. I liked their previous rules regarding C&R(side view photo only). This new rule involving a tape measure or ruler in the photo is a hassle. Its not like someone can make a 15" bass look 21".

[njfisherman1975]

Way to go rob...saw your name in that article...congrats!

[Skunk City]

Way to go rob...saw your name in that article...congrats!

Thanks man!

[acabtp]

i'd like to see some pictures of the 17" perch and 13" sunfish!

[Treble Hook Jim]

Back in the day... You used to get an engraved plaque! I have one packed up somewhere...

[buzzbaiter]

I just figured out that if you hold a fish above a ruler , you can make it look sooo much bigger. This could be a record breaking year for me. :p

[AndyS]

In 1991 when the wife won they threw a huge banquet for all the winners, plus all the outdoor writers were there and all the F&G people.

Funny how money just dries up over time. :(

[lunkertaker]

I am already "Self' certified as a Skillful Angler, did this years ago. While I don't have an official document to prove it I have pictures and memories and that is good enough! I never keep FW fish so keeping and official certification if a non issue. Know they have a measurement system in place, but I am already 'Self" certified!

Did catch a trout in 2008 that had a tag in its mouth...Hooked a Winner and got the certificate and patch after sending the tag in. Hopefully this gave the F&G folks info on the guy I caught.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I think Andy's avatar is way more interesting than a Skillful Angler Award. You'll get more respect on this site and alot more congrats on your catch here. Never sent in a fish, not my kinda thing. To each his own. Keep fishing and keep posting!

[Skunk City]

I think Andy's avatar is way more interesting than a Skillful Angler Award. You'll get more respect on this site and alot more congrats on your catch here. Never sent in a fish, not my kinda thing. To each his own. Keep fishing and keep posting!

That's just Andy's Public Service Announcement to ensure everyone gets their daily dose of Potassium :rolleyes: .

[Moz]

For some reason I thought you got a coffee mug for getting the award. Something Andy once posted I must have gotten confused. :confused:

I'd never keep a trophy sized fish and the new requirements for a tape measure and laying it and the fish on the ground is a hassle for me and a possible life-taker for the fish since I mainly fish off of rocks.

I'll stick with the auto-timer and me holding the fish and never knowing how it will turn out until I see it after the fish is back in the water. lol

[The Dominator]

NIce fish everyone I got it in the mail also..Biggest Pike of the year..And I let the monster go for someone else to catch again.....They just added my pic to the NJDEP website also...

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artpassaicpike13.htm