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.

[buzzbaiter]

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

Here is one of mine from a few years back.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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 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]

Originally Posted by njfisherman1975

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

Thanks man!