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Following is a release from the N.J. DEP on the 2015 Skillful Anglers Awards winners. This year marks the 33nd anniversary of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Skillful Angler Program. For more than three decades the Division has been recognizing anglers who catch fish of "not quite record" size but large enough to have tested the angler's skill and be worthy of recognition in each of the freshwater and marine species categories. The Skillful Angler Recognition Program is designed to supplement the New Jersey State Record Fish Program. Significant changes were made in January of 2015. Although the program's three divisions remained the same (Adult, Junior, and Catch and Release), now there are new categories creating more opportunities for qualifying fish to earn the angler a series of personalized certificates: Specialist Angler - catch five qualifying fish of the same species within one year Master Angler - catch five qualifying fish of five different species (saltwater and/or freshwater) within one year Elite Angler - catch 10 or more qualifying fish of 10 different species (saltwater and/or freshwater) within one year First Fish - catch your first fish of any species Three additional categories (the Slam Series) include: Trout Slam - catch one each of rainbow, brook and brown trout Bass Slam - catch one each of small and largemouth bass Panfish Slam - catch one each of sunfish, crappie and yellow perch The McCardells with winning muskyClick to enlarge In 1983, the program began with 31 applicants. In 2015, 96 applications representing 21 different species were officially processed. Since the program's modest beginning, the Division has granted skillful angler status to 3,701 applicants. INTERESTING FACTS: The most frequently entered species by skillful anglers in 2015 (adult, junior, and catch and release divisions combined) were crappie with 14 applications, followed by sunfish and perch with 11 applications each. The following is a breakdown of applications received per species (all categories combined): Freshwater: Largemouth Bass (7), Smallmouth Bass (7), Striped Bass Hybrid (7), Bullhead (2),Channel Catfish (1), Crappie (14), Muskellunge (1), Yellow Perch (11), Chain Pickerel (8), Northern Pike (3), Brown Trout (1), Rainbow Trout (4), Atlantic Landlocked Salmon (1), Sunfish (11), and Walleye (2). Saltwater: Black Sea Bass (1), Striped Bass (3), Bluefish (6), Winter Flounder (1), Fluke (3), and Tautog (2). In 2015, no entries were received for Striped Bass - freshwater, Carp, American Shad, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Black Drum, Cod, Dolphin, Kingfish, Mako Shark, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Pollock, Albacore Tuna, Big Eye Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Tuna (other), and Weakfish. The catch and release division had the most number of entries with 84 applications, followed by the adult category with 9 applications and the juniors with 3 applications. In 2015, 41 entries in the First Fish category were received. Additionally, two Specialist Angler categories were awarded, as were two Master Angler categories. One Elite Angler status was also awarded for 2015. In the Slam Series, there was one Inshore Slam and two Panfish Slams awarded. Christopher Baggott of Neptune won two categories: Adult Striped Bass-Saltwater and Catch and Release Striped Bass Saltwater. Christopher is also recognized as getting an Inshore Slam category. Christopher Pereira of Hopatcong won four categories: Catch and Release Smallmouth Bass, Bullhead, Winter Flounder and Fluke. Christopher is also recognized as getting a Panfish Slam and a Specialist, Master and Elite Angler Awards. Kevin Kennedy of Mount Ephraim won two categories: Catch and Release Crappie and Rainbow Trout. Frank Ruczynski of Monroeville tied himself and Paul Weidknecht of Phillipsburg in the Catch and Release Sunfish category. Frank is also recognized as achieving a Panfish Slam, as well as a Master and Specialist Award. The 2015 Skillful Angler Winners are as follows: ADULT CATEGORY FRESHWATER SPECIES: Crappie - 2 lbs, 11.2 oz. caught by Randy Blaker of Pitman on October 10. Randy was fishing from a boat in the Salem Canal when he landed the fish at 2:30 pm. Ten pound test was used with a St. Croix rod and a Shimano reel. A crankbait served as the lure. The fish measured 16.25 inches in length. Girth was unknown. Chain Pickerel - 4 lbs, 5 oz. caught by Vinnie DeStefano of Hampton on February 18. Vinnie was fishing through the ice on Lake Hopatcong when he landed the fish. Four pound test was used a jigging rod and a spinning reel. A fathead/jig combo served as the bait. The length was unknown but the fish had a 12.5 inch girth. Brown Trout - 9 lbs, 11 oz. caught by Francis G. Barrett of North Bergen on July 11. Francis was fishing from a kayak on Lake Aeroflex when he landed the fish at 4:45 pm. Ten pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a spin casting reel. A herring served as the bait. The fish measured 27.5 inches in length. Girth was unknown. Rainbow Trout - 6 lbs, 0 oz. caught by Francis Kuchinski of Matawan on January 23. Francis was wading in the South Branch of the Raritan River in Long Valley when he landed the fish at 2:00 pm. Six pound fly line was used with a 7.5' Cortland Crown II fly rod with a conventional fly reel. A worm was the bait. The fish measured 20 inches in length and had an 11.5 inch girth. Atlantic Landlocked Salmon - 4 lbs, 0 oz. caught by Charles McBride of Budd Lake on May 14. Charles was fishing from the shore at Tilcon Lake when he landed the fish at 7:30 pm. Six pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a spinning reel. A gold Kastmaster served as the lure. The fish measured 23 inches in length and had an 12 inch girth. ADULT CATEGORY SALTWATER SPECIES: Black Sea Bass - 4 lbs, 8 oz. caught by William Mayfield of Manasquan on October 22. William was from a boat in the ocean when he landed the fish at 10:30 am. Thirty pound test was used with a St. Croix rod and a reel. A clam served as bait. The fish measured 21.5 inches in length and had a 13.25 inch girth. Striped Bass - Saltwater - 48 lbs, 0 oz. caught by Christopher Baggott of Neptune on October 25. Christopher was fishing from the surf at Monmouth Beach when he landed the fish at 1:30 pm. Forty pound braid was used with an 11' Tica rod and a spinning reel. A live bunker served as the bait. The fish measured 53 inches in length and had a 27.5 inch girth. Tautog - 23 lbs, 0 oz. caught by Shane Burke of Holmdel on January 29. Shane was fishing from a boat out of Cape May when he landed the fish at 2:00 pm. Fifty pound test was used with a custom rod with a Newell reel. A white crab was the bait. The fish measured 30 inches in length and had an 24.5 inch girth. JUNIOR CATEGORY FRESHWATER SPECIES: Largemouth Bass - 6 lbs, 10 oz. caught by 7 year old T.J. Kepner, II of Somers Point on April 19. T.J. was fishing from the shore at Birch Grove Park when he caught the fish at 12:45 pm. Twenty pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. A nightcrawler was used as bait. The fish measured 21.5 inches in length and had a 16 inch girth. Rainbow Trout - 4 lbs, 15.2 oz. caught by 14 year old Kevin Devenney of Jackson on November 2. Kevin was fishing from the shore of the South Branch of the Metedeconk when he landed the fish at 6:30 pm. Four pound test was used with an Ugly Stik GX2 rod and a Quantum reel. Pink Powerbait was the bait of choice. The fish measured 23.125 inches in length and had a 12.25 inch girth. CATCH AND RELEASE CATEGORY FRESHWATER SPECIES: Largemouth Bass - 23.25 inches caught by John Derolco, Sr. of Phillipsburg on June 6. John was fishing from the shore at Merrill Creek Reservoir when he reeled the fish in at 11:45 am. Twelve pound test was used with a Shimano Baitcaster rod and an Abu Garcia Black Max reel. A Berkeley Pitboss served as the lure. The girth was unknown. Smallmouth Bass - 22.0625 inches caught by Christopher Pereira of Hopatcong on August 10. Christopher was fishing from a boat on Lake Hopatcong when he reeled the fish in at 9:30 pm. Ten pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a Cabela's reel. A homemade fly was the bait of choice. The girth was unknown. Striped Bass Hybrid - 25.75 inches caught by Rocco Favina, Jr. of Wayne on November 28. Rocco was fishing from a boat on Lake Hopatcong when he reeled in the fish at 9:40 am. Twenty pound test was used with a Daiwa rod and a Shimano reel. Chicken liver served as the bait. The girth was unknown. Bullhead - 15.025 inches caught by Christopher Pereira of Hopatcong on April 21. Christopher was fishing from the shore of Demott Pond when he reeled in the fish at 8:15 pm. Eight pound test was used with an Abu Garcia rod and a Pfleuger reel. Corn served as the bait. Girth was unavailable. Channel Catfish - 30 inches caught by Rob Jasonek of Nutley on January 26. Rob was ice fishing on the Delaware River when he reeled in the fish at 12:05 pm. Four pound test braided line was used with a light action jigging rod and a spinning reel. A Rapala jig served as the lure. The girth was unknown. Crappie - 16 inches caught by Kevin Kennedy of Mount Ephraim on November 4. Kevin was fishing from the shore of Mantua Creek when he reeled in the fish at 5:00 pm. Four pound test was used with a 6' light rod and a spinning reel. A 2" swim bait was used to attract the fish. Girth was unknown. Muskellunge - 53 inches caught by Shawn McCardell of Thurmont, MD on November 15. Shawn was fishing from a boat on Oxford Furnace Lake when he reeled in the fish at 1:15 pm. Eighty pound braid was used with a rod and an Abu Garcia reel. A rainbow trout served as the bait. The girth was unknown. Yellow Perch - 14.75 inches caught by Chad Kratina of Flemington on January 17. Chad was fishing from through the ice on Lake Kittatinny when he reeled in the fish at 10:30 am. Ten pound test line was used with a tip up and used his hands to pull in the fish. Live bait attracted the fish. The girth was unknown. Chain Pickerel - 27 inches caught by Larry Newman of Brick on December 14. Larry was fishing from a kayak on Lake Riviera when he landed the fish at 3:00 pm. Fifteen pound test was used with a TFO rod and a Quantum reel. A 4" Rapala Xrap was used as the lure. Girth was unknown. Northern Pike - 38 inches caught by Megan Helsel of Nutley on March 20. Megan was fishing from the shore of the Passaic River when she landed the fish at 5:30 pm. Twenty pound test was used with a Daiwa rod and reel. A jerkbait served as the lure. The girth was unknown. Rainbow Trout - 23.5 inches caught by Kevin Kennedy of Mount Ephraim on April 7. Kevin was fishing from the shore at Westville Lake when he landed the fish at 5:00 pm. Six pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. Powerbait attracted the fish. Girth was unknown. Sunfish - 9.5 inches caught by Frank Ruczynski of Monroeville on May 24. Frank was fishing from a boat on Garrison Lake when he reeled in the fish at 2:00 pm. Six pound test was used with a Shimano rod and reel. A Berkeley Gulp served as the lure. Girth was unknown. and Sunfish - 9.5 inches caught by Frank Ruczynski of Monroeville on June 7. Frank was fishing from a boat on Garrison Lake when he reeled in the fish at 5:30 pm. Six pound test was used with a Shimano rod and reel. A trout magnet served as the lure. Girth was unknown. and Sunfish - 9.5 inches caught by Paul Weidknecht of Phillipsburg on August 6. Paul was fishing from the shore of Watergate Lake in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area when he reeled in the fish at 7:15 pm. 5X line was used with a 5 weight G. Loomis fly rod and a G. Loomis reel. A #10 Henry's Fork Grasshopper pattern fly served as the bait. Girth was unknown. Walleye - 27.5 inches caught by Michael Kolodziej of Bound Brook on December 20. Michael was fishing from a boat on the Delaware River when he reeled in the fish at 8:00 am. Ten pound test was used with a 7' St. Croix rod and a spinning reel. A shad served as the bait. Girth was unknown. CATCH AND RELEASE CATEGORY SALTWATER SPECIES: Striped Bass - 44.5 inches caught by Christopher Baggott of Neptune on November 4. Christopher was fishing from a kayak in the ocean off of Lavalette when he landed the fish at 8:30 am. Thirty pound braid was used with a spinning rod and reel. A live bunker served as the bait. Girth was unavailable. Bluefish - 35.75 inches caught by Arthur Kosakowski of Bayonne on May 26. Arthur was fishing from the shore of Upper New York Bay in Bayonne when he landed the fish. Twenty pound test was used with a medium/heavy rod and a spinning reel. A bunker chunk served as the bait. The girth was unavailable. Winter Flounder - 18.375 inches caught by Christopher Pereira of Hopatcong on April 26. Christopher was fishing from a boat on Raritan Bay when he reeled in the fish at 12:30 pm. Thirty pound test was used with a Shimano rod and an Okuma reel. Clam served as the bait. Girth was unavailable. Fluke - 28.0625 inches caught by Christopher Pereira of Hopatcong on May 24. Christopher was fishing from a boat on Raritan Bay when he reeled in the fish at 9:30 am. Twenty pound test was used with a Shimano rod and a Daiwa reel. A custom bucktail served as the lure. Girth was unavailable. Congratulations to all of our winners!

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