Best of 2019

[Esox Luciano]

Another year of fishing in the books for good ol' New Jersey waters. It's about that time of year, winding down and getting ready for the new year. Time to recollect, and think about our most memorable moments on the water and best catches of 2019. Be it small or big, I've definitely had some memorable moments for this past year.
From smallmouth and Largemouth, to carp and pike, and everything in between, oh I enjoyed it all! Always a pleasure teaching my friends the ropes & seeing them enjoy the waterworld as well. Here's a few pics of my more memorable moments of the year.

[reason162]

Always impressed by you bushwackers...hiking in and catching quality fish from shore. Looks like you had a great year!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Awesome post man! I’m happy you put this thread up. Some absolutely beautiful Jersey fish you have pictured here. Love the colors on the Carp and Pike. And it looks like you have the Bass bite locked in! Let’s keep this thread going!!! 2019 is coming to an end! I can’t believe it! Tight LINEZ to all!!!

[RWole]

Some really great pics. I have to say that I personally had a really good 2019 season.I had a really great season catching smallies.
Wish everyone a Happy, Healthy , Safe 2020 season. As always hope for more time on the water. I might have spent a little less time on the water this year , my daughter had a very busy schedule with school and events but it was worth it. She is a senior in high school, recently was inducted into the National Honor Society, and has been accepted to numerous colleges and universities, so even though I was not always fishing , it was for great reason ( i did get plenty of time to fish just always want more)

[AndyS]

Clean ups on the lower South Branch near Neshanic and 2 clean ups on the main stem of the Raritan river, Piscataway and a tidal section near New Brunswick. Also ongoing efforts on the Green Brook from Plainfield to Bound Brook. I know some people who caught fish also.

Esox love your posts and your passion for the sport. Great stuff, looks like you had a very good 2019. Some very nice pike. Remember that beast you posted I think it was in 2016 maybe. Have shown that picture to at least 100 people with the same reaction from each which is "Can't believe the size and that it was caught in NJ". That was one impressive fish. Keep doing what you love my friend, you know how to follow your passions in life.

Andy your dedication to the environment is inspiring. Thanks for all your hard work and leadership over the years with your conservation efforts and best of luck down south with your family. Give us your mailing address, need to know where to send all the tires. We know your life wouldn't be the same without them so at minimum we owe you that!

Keep the pics coming. I only have one and it actually was caught in 2017 so I decided not to post it!

[Chrisper4694]

The northern waters, not to be outdone by the warm gulf waters, produced a great bluefin tuna jigging adventure in cape cod for Jdtuna, myself, and his other friend chris...where i proceeded to get my ass kicked by these beasts!



October in NJ showed me, hands down, the most epic striper fishing i've ever seen fishing with my buddy Brant for the first time....we both had multiple fish over 45" up to 48" and dozens over 38"...crazy!



Last but not least, i was able to pop off my other big goal of a few years by cracking my PB tog. boated with a jig on John's Keyport Seahawk.



It was a hell of a year, it always is! It kind of ended with a fizzle, but looking forward to another year of crazy NJ fishing adventures and beyond!!! happy new year guys!

[bigfishy]

You captured ur yr perfectly!!!! Well done w gr8 pics

[NickM221]

Had an awesome year with many firsts, PBs, and tons of adventures.

Did a lot of exploring new territory this year with Luke, from exploring smaller streams and creeks to floating some new sections of larger rivers. Outside of NJ, I was lucky enough to spend a decent amount of time camping and fishing up in the Adirondacks targeting bass and pike and fishing for trout over in the UK.

In the fall, I brought my muskie curse to Chrisper's tin can (Currently at 23 trips without landing a fish). Headed out with Hookmanski on Squatch's boat for the hybrid meet and greet and had the catch of the day, hauling in a pretty solid spinning combo from the depths of Hopatcong. I went on my first lake trout adventure with Chrisper and got completely hooked on the type of fishing. Luke and I watched Eddie put on a Thanksgiving Trout clinic for us. Luke and I closed out the year exploring some new trout waters.

This year, I also started making my own lures which went from looking like square blocks to actually looking fish-like.

Some firsts for this year include first tiger trout, brook trout, trout slam (Got all four in one session) walleye, laker, and my first surf striper in NJ.

Some PBs include LMB, smallie, rainbow, brown, pickerel, a 13" perch, and an 11" bluegill.

Overall a solid year, and looking forward to seeing what next year has in store! I'm hoping to finally cross the muskie off my list, to actually target walleye, and to break the 24" mark for a brown trout.

Special thanks to Chrisper and NJSquatch for taking me out on your boats and to Eddie, JD, and Sako1 for your help/info over the course of the year. Happy New Year All!

[NickM221]