The Fish of a Lifetime

Hello friends,

I was wandering aimlessly down the gaping hallways of my memory and experiences. I have experienced many things I do not remember -- some of which happened between 12 and 2 am in college. That notwithstanding, I want to show you a fish I was lucky enough to catch.

Fish: Striped Bass
Length: 46.5 inches
Weight: 43lbs
Caught in: New Jersey (Sandy Hook Bay), United States of America

As a reference point, I am 6'5 and have a large wingspan [Sorry Euros -- I​ do not convert into the metric system]. The fish was caught using bunker chunks while the boat was at a stop. I was also using a spinning reel and 30lb test. This momma was definitely a breeder fish and, having learned so much about the reproductive cycle of Striped Bass, I would have probably let her go had I been more educated.

The fish took about fifteen minutes to haul in and I was DEAD tired. I felt like such a wimp, and in the back of my mind I was saying to myself, "This fish is going to weigh like 15 pounds and I am going to look like a pre-pubescent twig when she surfaces." THEN. SHE. BREACHES. I'm talking airborne. The fish jumped a few feet into the air and turned like a whale. Everyone went nuts and I was gifted the adrenaline surge requisite to finish the catch.

All in all, we ate every bit of this fish. My friends and I had a beach house in Manasquan, New Jersey, which was frequented by guests. I made fish tacos and steaks for THREE nights and fed about 20 people 3 times, with some to spare to give to my family and friends. It was my first striper and probably the largest I would ever catch. That happened two years ago, this July 4th weekend. God Bless America and Happy 4th.

Cheers,
Evan