'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Hit a tidal river last nite from 10:30/11:00 PM until 1:30 AM. Threw the box. Had one nice fish smack my plug outta the water early on... damn. Tossed traps until I inevitably lost them. You dont buy and own traps in the rivers--you merely rent them. No strikes or follows on them. Switched it up to small plastic and 3rd cast got banged. Missed the fish... Nipped the tail off! M-F'er! Didnt have any more in that color pattern so I rummaged through my bag and found two in a diff color. The color worked. Tossed the small plastic across a bit of fast water, rolled it through the current and slowed it down as it hit the seam between me and riffle... BAM! Fish on. A quick, short shot upstream, another back downstream followed by head shakes and then I get a glimpse of the slapping, flopping tail. Whoa... Click on the head lamp and I see big ass shiny EYES!!! Sweet... Play her out and get her to the bank and slide her up on some wet leaves. Sweet Jebus... F'n toad. She taped out at 27.5" and was fatter than I couldve ever imagined--straight up engorged with who the hell knows what. Snap some shots with both my phone and camera. Walked her back to the water and let her have her time finding her bearings. She started pulsing her tail then with a big swing, cruised out of sight! Awesome awesome awesome! A new personal best for me by about 4". My guess is she weighed well over 8 lbs--had to with that gut.

Here's some pics. Sorry about the bit of shake n' bake. Aint easy getting these shots when rollin solo! She swam away just fine... Catch em up!

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Solid fish homie! Look at the gut on that pig Walleye. That's a trophy, no doubt! Congrats on the PB and a fine catch. Way to stick it out and make the big girl commit. YEA BUDDY!!!!:D

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Nice pig! Wtg jeremy

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Whoa dude! Great Eye! One of the best I've seen this year! Congrats!

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Beautiful fish but....it's still early enough to break your PB again this season :p.

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

sweet eye buddy, thats a solid fish in ANY state. Like Rob said theres still plenty of time to get one even bigger, 30"+ is def do-able in NJ ;)

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Awesome fish! Always been on my list of fish to catch, congrats Man!

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Thanks guys... I'm still on cloud 9 about it lol.

I like the way you guys think! I want more!

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Nice fish man! Looks thick!! Congrats on the pb!

Re: 'EYES' on the prize - 11-7-14
 

Wow that is one awesome fish and story. Very nice!