Phat night time walleye

[nate01]

Yes, I meant to spell it with a "ph" though an "f" would also apply. Got out on the lake Saturday night just before 11. It was a little foggy and there was no moon at all. First stop, nothing. Second stop, got a 21 inch walleye on my second cast as soon as the plug hit the water...nice! Not much herring activity all night, just a few splashes here and there and no blow-ups. Around midnight my plug gets absolutely slammed; flick on the headlamp and watch a hog walleye with a giant head dive under the boat. As soon as I slipped the net under her the lure pops out...and I hoist a beauty over the rail. She taped out at 27 inches and was quite thick. Snap a photo and let er go so she can make someone else's night in the future. By 12:30 I had another 22 inch beauty in the boat, and that was it all night aside from two aggressive smallie-sized rock bass who hit a pretty big bait. All fish released and I went home at 2:30. All of my pictures suck since I usually fish alone, but I stuck my foot in for some perspective.

[FASTEDDIE29]

That's a beautiful breeder Walleye right there! Way to go Nate! Big female!!!:D

[NJSquatch]

awesome....

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gifhttp://www.njfishing.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif on the CPR

[henro]

That's a big eye congrats!

[tycomps]

Yes, I meant to spell it with a "ph" though an "f" would also apply. Got out on the lake Saturday night just before 11. It was a little foggy and there was no moon at all. First stop, nothing. Second stop, got a 21 inch walleye on my second cast as soon as the plug hit the water...nice! Not much herring activity all night, just a few splashes here and there and no blow-ups. Around midnight my plug gets absolutely slammed; flick on the headlamp and watch a hog walleye with a giant head dive under the boat. As soon as I slipped the net under her the lure pops out...and I hoist a beauty over the rail. She taped out at 27 inches and was quite thick. Snap a photo and let er go so she can make someone else's night in the future. By 12:30 I had another 22 inch beauty in the boat, and that was it all night aside from two aggressive smallie-sized rock bass who hit a pretty big bait. All fish released and I went home at 2:30. All of my pictures suck since I usually fish alone, but I stuck my foot in for some perspective.

what do you gestimate the weight was? had what me and a guy next to me estimated to be a 28" er on at the ladder earlier in the year, unfortunately mine did the same hook spit deal at the shore and literally slipped thru my fingers before I could get a pic!

[JDTuna]

Awesome 'eye!

[henro]

what do you gestimate the weight was? had what me and a guy next to me estimated to be a 28" er on at the ladder earlier in the year, unfortunately mine did the same hook spit deal at the shore and literally slipped thru my fingers before I could get a pic!

28" walleye is ~8lbs. That's my pb I've caught one each from SW and LH. Haven't been able to best it in years.

[Skunk City]

27" is a quality eye, very nice! And thumbs up on the release!!!!

[Jigman13]

Thorough walleye for sure. A 27 is very respectable in NJ. Nice fish!

[Chrisper4694]

Ive had a 28.5" weigh 6.5lbs and two 28" weigh 7.5 and 8.5lbs, it all depends. I usually just measure now. Nice fish. Wish everyone released bigger fish so we could start seeing some state records broken!

[henro]

Ive had a 28.5" weigh 6.5lbs and two 28" weigh 7.5 and 8.5lbs, it all depends. I usually just measure now. Nice fish. Wish everyone released bigger fish so we could start seeing some state records broken!

Walleye weights can definitely vary.

Off topic somewhat... I was going onto Swartswood last Thursday as the state stocking truck had just finished stocking 30,000 walleye fry and the state worker mentioned they had trapped 9 and 10lbers in the creek this year. There's still big fish out there.

[Chrisper4694]

Walleye weights can definitely vary.

Off topic somewhat... I was going onto Swartswood last Thursday as the state stocking truck had just finished stocking 30,000 walleye fry and the state worker mentioned they had trapped 9 and 10lbers in the creek this year. There's still big fish out there.

What they didnt tell you is that the survival rate of gill netted fish is about 50%. Asked them once while they were pulling up nets one year and thats what they told us...i couldnt believe it was such a low rate

[ScowardNJ]

If it was caught in Hopatcong, its 6lbs max...If it was caught in GWL could be a 10lber:D:D:D:D:D:D

Nice eye dude!

[henro]

What they didnt tell you is that the survival rate of gill netted fish is about 50%. Asked them once while they were pulling up nets one year and thats what they told us...i couldnt believe it was such a low rate

Holy crap then why do it? Don't they need them alive to bring them back to the hatchery to collect for spawning? Or are they just trapping and releasing to get population estimates?

[AndyS]

Nice phat walleye !!!

[Chrisper4694]

Holy crap then why do it? Don't they need them alive to bring them back to the hatchery to collect for spawning? Or are they just trapping and releasing to get population estimates?

Id assume both. When we saw them they were doing a survey. I guess its the only way to do it idk. They were pulling up nets at mcr a couple of years ago. We asked what they were doing, some kind of survey. Asked the survival ratio and they said about 50%...thats all i know

[tycomps]

28" walleye is ~8lbs. That's my pb I've caught one each from SW and LH. Haven't been able to best it in years.

thanks, 8 was my guess based on how mine (literally) felt. my fingers didn't touch after I went in after it and grabbed it midsection. needless to say I got home and ordered a big net! :p

[icebadger]

that is a good walleye on any of the lakes in nj, nice job thanks for the cpr on that as well.:cool: