Congrats Lard !

[kcritch]

More than deserved my friend. No one takes more beatings from that river than you but every once in a while you get to hit back hard. And that was definitely a knock out brother. Especially at that damned ladder!

Like Jigman I have been watching your vids for years and love the attitude and determination. And if anyone knows what it takes to catch an eye like that from that river it's Jeremy. So take credit where credit is due. Enjoy it while you can...cause you know that bitch of a river is planning her revenge as we speak. HA! Well done buddy...well done indeed.

[Broad Bill]

Beautiful eye no matter where it was caught. BUT in that raging water with no net and from shore, that brings it to a whole different level. It's why fishing is contagious and such a great sport and way to blow off some steam and balance life out. You can fish hard all year without great results and get that one bite and at that time life is perfect! One helluva a catch and pretty cool how you landed that fish, congrats as well on the release. A very clean and healthy looking fish with some huge shoulders! In my world, big girls like that deserve their freedom to pass on those genes to the generations that follow us. Awesome catch my friend!

[Jigman13]

Agreed! Fish of that stature should not be kept whatsoever in NJ. Swim, spawn and make more beasts!

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

Beautiful eye no matter where it was caught. BUT in that raging water with no net and from shore, that brings it to a whole different level. It's why fishing is contagious and such a great sport and way to blow off some steam and balance life out. You can fish hard all year without great results and get that one bite and at that time life is perfect! One helluva a catch and pretty cool how you landed that fish, congrats as well on the release. A very clean and healthy looking fish with some huge shoulders! In my world, big girls like that deserve their freedom to pass on those genes to the generations that follow us. Awesome catch my friend!

[deaone123]

That stretch of the raritan holds some real monsters with so
many spots for them to hide. Going out when the rivers raging and getting rewarded always makes the trip that much more worth it. Like i always say terrible conditions or not fish still gotta eat.

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by deaone123

That stretch of the raritan holds some real monsters with so
many spots for them to hide. Going out when the rivers raging and getting rewarded always makes the trip that much more worth it. Like i always say terrible conditions or not fish still gotta eat.

I would imagine raging waters concentrates fish and doesn't allow them to spread out the way they do under normal conditions. Landing a fish that size in those conditions is what is truly impressive. That isn't easy to do and it seemed like you did it with ease. One run in that fast water and that fish would spool you in a blink.

[Jigman13]

Quite the opposite actually. The fish actually spread out more during high water and put the feedbag on. The raritan for the most part is exceptionally shallow in most areas, especially as you get closer to the tidal line. Low water concentrates and isolates the fish. High water and they're on the move seeking to fatten up!

He geared up for it properly with a beefier rod and heavy braid.

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

Quite the opposite actually. The fish actually spread out more during high water and put the feedbag on. The raritan for the most part is exceptionally shallow in most areas, especially as you get closer to the tidal line. Low water concentrates and isolates the fish. High water and they're on the move seeking to fatten up!

He geared up for it properly with a beefier rod and heavy braid.

Jeremy, interesting as that's just the opposite of what I've experienced in certain bodies of water I fish. Each place has it's own conditions and fish react accordingly.