July 19, John Cook lands 51 pounder
Local Plum Island fisherman John Cook landed his first, and hopefully not last, 51 pound 3 ounce striper yesterday. The monster had a girth of 27″! John’s well know around the island as a consummate chunk fisherman, knowing what spots to hit on which particular time of the tide. Well, he’s usually pretty productive, but not like yesterday when he dragged up this fish. The boat was anchored and John explained that he was about spooled, his captain let some rope out on the anchor to give a little slack, and then slowly John walked up to the bow and then back to the stern grabbing 10 feet of line at a time. The other boaters were polite and moved away when the they saw it was a big fish on the line. Eventually they got it to the boat and it took two of them to haul it over the gunnel. Take into consideration that this fish was caught at in the middle of the day, without a cloud in sight, and it makes it even more of a grand catch.
You’ll see in the second photo that the side fin of the bass is nearly as big as my hand. Enormous. And eye to eye was about 6″, the tail about 12.” It’s the first 50 we’ve weighed in since 2007, and John moves his photo from the small board to the gang of 50′s we have on the rafters.
We also weighed in a 32 pounder taken by kayak with a tube and worm. Also, the flounder fishing has been great right out at the south jetty, with a trio of guys limiting out yesterday.
catch of a lifetime! its a shame to see an 18-year-old fish killed to get on the rafters though.
HOPEFULLY THIS NEW MOON WILL BRING IN SOME SLOBS. GONNA BE FISHN MON NIGHT TUES WED AND THURS.. LIVIN THE DREAM!!!!!
I know what you mean. I asked a local sharpie about that point. Skip Montello noted that he doesn’t mind keeping a trophy fish because it’s past it’s reproductive prime. Smaller fish do most of the egg producing, and limiting the take on the fish in the 20 pound range would do more for the stock than limiting the taking of the largest fish. It’s a big debate, and every fisherman has to make his or her own decision.
Personally I’d be pretty conflicted. Last year I caught my best fish, at 36 pounds or so, and I measured it and back in the water she went. Didn’t even get a picture cause I was alone and wanted to get her back in the water as soon as I could. In the 50 pound range I’d probably keep it. But it’s pretty sad killing a fish that weighs as much as a small child.
all good points. it is definitely a choice that each fisherman must make, and it is their choice and no one else’s. i have never caught a fish near that size so i will not pretend to know how it feels to make that decision, and i don’t mean to take away from John’s monster.
with that said, the Mass Audubon society estimates that a fish over 40inches produces over 3million eggs, contrary to what Skip reported, while a juvenile produces around 500k.
a neighbor recently landed a 50.5″ gem with a girth of 28″ in NH and opted to take pictures with a tape measure and return her to the water. with the state record in NH at 51″, that could be one of the biggest fish ever released in the state, pretty cool!
while i know tradition is very coveted at Surfland, it would be very respectable if they opened up the rafters to fish that were caught, photographed with a tape measure, and released, as well as the fish they weigh in-store.
“with the state record in NH at 51″, that could be one of the biggest fish ever released in the state, pretty cool!”
You must mean 51 pounds. I used to guide up there and we’d catch a handful of fish over 50″ every season.
The man caught a 50 pounder and has the right to do what ever he wants with it. If it were me it would be on my wall. How about saying congrats before getting all negative on the guy. Maybe he should have caught and released hundreds of micros and watch them float down the river belly up.
Hi John,
WOW!! That’s quite the big fish… GREAT JOB!!! I hope to see you soon.
Rachael
Congratulations John for a terrific catch. I have personally fished with John and he is top notch. He releases 95% of his catches.I am so proud of you. Way to go you deserve it. Your biggest fan.
congrats! on an awesome catch…..I’d be taking it home!
Umm any reports????
John What a fish good job.Fish are made to be caught and eaten do what you want John stand proud.Your sister.
I’ve been with john he knows how to catch the big ones ” way to go ” SAVE one for me. so when are we going back out?
Just like Killing your Grandfather IMO, you wouldn’t do it just because he’s past his reproductive prime, would you?
Take good pics and have it carved!
Great job John!! Your uncle would have been proud of you!
Hey John, Thats the smallest tuna Ive ever seen, hee hee. love pam
That is an impressive catch.
Must have been quite a challenge.
Thanks for sharing!