First trip at night and THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY!

[Mikeps326]

Figured I had my boat for a few years now, I think it was time for me to take it out first night trip and first trip this year on my boat. Got there around 8 and couldn't even get anything to follow. After a few hrs of me getting to know how to fish with the lure I was using I get a nice explosion but loose it. Then my brother catches a largemouth that had to be over 5lbs. About 30 min later I catch my first NJ walleye! Later on in just reeling in my lure when something hooks into my lure and it had to be my strongest and biggest fish to ever be hooked on a lake! I had him for maybe a few seconds and he pulled the drag a little but I didn't have enough time to loosen the drag and snap goes the line. After the line snapped the fish decides to jump, it sounded as if someone my size jumped into the water. So I'm going with a 10lb+ hybrid or a big Muskie. I guess this will be a moment of my life that will haunt me but will be a good story to tell friends and family around the fireplace! Still actually pissed I missed him but hey it's fishing maybe I will get a bigger fish one day! Then my brother did one more cast and caught another largemouth. We called it a night at around 2.

[Mikeps326]

My brothers second bass.

[Mikeps326]

And my first NJ walleye 18 1/2 inches

[Chrisper4694]

muskies, the makers of haunting nightmares...the biggest ones always hit when you're fishing for other species!

[MudCat08]

Your walleye looks like a Sauger. Nice fish!

[Mikeps326]

Your walleye looks like a Sauger. Nice fish!

Is there sauger in NJ lakes?

[Predator]

Nice adventure no doubt. I haven't gotten the courage to take my boat out at night yet. Hopefully that will change very soon..Maybe a little dumb to try it solo at first but I just might have to. The best catches are at night that's for sure. And your brother caught one hell of a Bass.

[Adrenalinerush]

Nice fish and good story. We all have the "one that got away". That's why we fish. I little piece of advice, you should never have to loosen your drag so your line doesn't snap. Your drag should always be set so a big fish can take line without you having to do anything. If your not sure how to preset it, hook whatever lure or bait you are using to something solid, stand back a couple of rod lengths and lift up on your rod. Your drag should release line without your line snapping. Also if you get snagged that's a great time to check your drag tension. One final thing, the more line in the water the more resistance so if your fishing real deep there will be extra pressure on the line when you hook a fish.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Congrats on your first NJ Walleye Mike! Pretty colors on that fish. Man oh man we all have those stories about the one that got away. Don't be afraid to use heavy line while night fishing. You can even tie directly to power pro if you want. Keep the reports comin!!! YEA BUDDY!!!

[Mikeps326]

Thanks guys and thanks for the advice, I will be going tonight to try it again!

[Esox Luciano]

Porky lookin bass and great lookin walleye. Nice catch all around!! The markings on that eye really are nice, I'd like to believe Mudcat if they are running rogue. And those ones that get away always make you more prepared for a second coming. Nice post, great catch!

[Esox Luciano]

Is there sauger in NJ lakes?

I was Soo interested in the looks of your fish and did some research. There has to be sauger out there somewhere, but I think what you landed was a saugeye, a hybrid of both sauger and walleye. Very cool though because if it's a saugeye then there's sauger. And they're gettin freaky with the walleyes...more fish!!! Here's the page I was looking at http://www.google.com/url?q=http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/faq.asp%3Fid%3D42&sa=U&ei=f8dPVc7COemJsQSq84GYDQ&ved=0CBoQFjAE&usg=AFQjCNG08dM2qbXeBErnuM9t9yKKAbgvBA

Again, sweet catch man!! Thanks for the pics and Congrats!

[Mikeps326]

Thanks man didn't even know they exist but I'm back out tonight and trying it again!

[Skunk City]

Before misinformation spreads, THERE ARE NO SAUGERS or SAUGEYES in NJ, much less the lake where this was caught! The only possible way would be an illegally stocked fish by someone who landed and transported one to this lake. The closest area that does has Saugers or Saugeyes is in PA. in the Allegheny and the Ohio Rivers. Walleye, Saugers and Saugeyes are not native to NJ. Sometimes they will display the dark bands as seen in Mike's picture, and camera flash usually brings it out at night.

With that being said, very nice job on the first night trip and nice 'Eye!

[Andrushkin33]

Beautiful fish.

Nice to locate them and bring them out.

Andre

[jimmythegreek]

good job and congrats. Anyone who wants to tackle the heavyweights especially at night needs to have the right gear and tackle. even a small striper can run u ragged and feel like a monster. You gotta remember that a fish with a stick bait in its mouth that snaps your line is a dead fish in the end, I had a buddy catch one last summer that had a rod and reel and hook in its gut when he pulled it up, that fish got saved. Go right to 15-20 powerpro and use 15# floro leader, you wont lose another oen, and change your leader every trip at least and at any sight of a fray. good luck