weakfish world record broken?

[adesai73]

saw on another board where someone pulled a 19lb - 12oz weakie from an unidentified NY spot.  picture, too.

Record catch for Jackson's Alu
Thursday, May 08, 2008
BY AL RISTORI

Dave Alu of Jackson was at the right place at the right time Tuesday night when he joined Capt. Rich Swisstack of Cliffwood for a beach fishing trip to Staten Island -- and ended up with a potential International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all-tackle, world-record weakfish of 19 pounds, 12 ounces.
Star-Ledger Staff
Swisstack and his Shore Catch Guide Service partner Capt. Dave Torrick of Clark were fishing an area that had been producing one or two tiderunners from 12 to 15 pounds each night for two weeks, but they were returning those spawn-laden weaks. Swisstack figured a big bass had been hooked on the bunker head being fished by Alu when he set up on the record weak around 2 a.m. The guide was shocked to see the longest and roundest weakfish ever within his grasp, but was still considering a release until the Boga Grip showed a bit over 19 pounds -- and he thought that might be in record range.

After driving back to Hazlet to weigh in at 19 3/4 pounds at The Tackle Box, and still not realizing it was a world record, Torrick checked the New York record on his computer and saw that Alu's weak was bigger than the 19-pound, 2-ounce standard caught by Dennis Rooney on Oct. 11, 1984, at Jones Inlet. Therefore, they drove back to New York to weigh in again at the same weight on the certified scale at Michael's Tackle in Great Kills.

Richard Swisstack Sr., an IGFA member, then informed his son that the all-tackle record was smaller than the weak they'd weighed in. As it turned out, the New York record was tied with another 19-pound, 2-ounce weak from New Jersey for the IGFA record. The latter weakfish was caught by William Thomas on May 10, 1989, in Delaware Bay. Alu's fish won't be official until all required paperwork is approved, but there shouldn't be any problems such as occurred with last summer's rejected world-record fluke entry. This time there were several witnesses, the fish was weighed on two certified scales -- and I'm sure it's being well-protected from raccoons and dogs.

Swisstack said they also caught six bass that night, three of which were more than 40 inches -- though his thin 41-incher only weighed 21 pounds.

[Art Berkman]

Yep Rich Swiss from Shore catch guided the angler.

The pic is Copyrighted therefore I will not post the pic.

[adesai73]

The pic is Copyrighted therefore I will not post the pic.

that's what stopped me, too.  a quick google search will lead you to it, though.

[IrishAyes]

Thanks for the info Ash. Any controversy over the catch? I'm sure some misbeliever will have something to say. 

Kudos to the fortunate angler. 

[adesai73]

Joe,

As of right now, I haven't read a single disparaging thing.  Everyone seems to be happy for the guy.  From what I can tell, Swiss has a solid reputation amongst those who have been doing this fishing thing a lot longer than I.  As long as they protect the weakie from raccoons, hopefully there won't be any controversy. 

ash

[catfish hunter]

there are some big girls around ,I saw 3 so far this week over 9 lbs

[IrishAyes]

 

[Art Berkman]

Rich Swiss is a class act and 1 of the best Guides around in my book.

The guy puts in his time and know's his stuff !

[Luna Sea 5]

wow

[Art Berkman]

From todays Star Ledger.
 

Record catch for Jackson's Alu
Thursday, May 08, 2008
BY AL RISTORI

Dave Alu of Jackson was at the right place at the right time Tuesday night when he joined Capt. Rich Swisstack of Cliffwood for a beach fishing trip to Staten Island -- and ended up with a potential International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all-tackle, world-record weakfish of 19 pounds, 12 ounces.
Star-Ledger Staff
Swisstack and his Shore Catch Guide Service partner Capt. Dave Torrick of Clark were fishing an area that had been producing one or two tiderunners from 12 to 15 pounds each night for two weeks, but they were returning those spawn-laden weaks. Swisstack figured a big bass had been hooked on the bunker head being fished by Alu when he set up on the record weak around 2 a.m. The guide was shocked to see the longest and roundest weakfish ever within his grasp, but was still considering a release until the Boga Grip showed a bit over 19 pounds -- and he thought that might be in record range.

After driving back to Hazlet to weigh in at 19 3/4 pounds at The Tackle Box, and still not realizing it was a world record, Torrick checked the New York record on his computer and saw that Alu's weak was bigger than the 19-pound, 2-ounce standard caught by Dennis Rooney on Oct. 11, 1984, at Jones Inlet. Therefore, they drove back to New York to weigh in again at the same weight on the certified scale at Michael's Tackle in Great Kills.

Richard Swisstack Sr., an IGFA member, then informed his son that the all-tackle record was smaller than the weak they'd weighed in. As it turned out, the New York record was tied with another 19-pound, 2-ounce weak from New Jersey for the IGFA record. The latter weakfish was caught by William Thomas on May 10, 1989, in Delaware Bay. Alu's fish won't be official until all required paperwork is approved, but there shouldn't be any problems such as occurred with last summer's rejected world-record fluke entry. This time there were several witnesses, the fish was weighed on two certified scales -- and I'm sure it's being well-protected from raccoons and dogs.

Swisstack said they also caught six bass that night, three of which were more than 40 inches -- though his thin 41-incher only weighed 21 pounds.
 

[CapBob]

Great job........congrats to all......

[IrishAyes]

 

[weakfishman]

it's true.  i caught it.  many thanks to rich swisstack and shorecatch crew.  they are the best!

dave a.

[Art Berkman]

it's true.  i caught it.  many thanks to rich swisstack and shorecatch crew.  they are the best!

dave a.

Congrats !

Now what are you going to do for an encore ?

[IrishAyes]

Weakfishman, GREAT CATCH!!! I hope all goes well with the paperwork etc. Sounds like all the bases are covered with that.

I would like to welcome you to the site. Anything you can add, please do so. Any question, ask away. We are a friendly bunch here. All willing to share any info we may have.

Again, congrats on the fine catch. 

[bassnblues]

Nice job!!

You truly deserve your screen name

[Hotrod]

Welcome Dave to the site Dave...Nice Fish.  Any Pictures for this great Post.  Just hit the additional options text to up load

[adesai73]

it's true.  i caught it.  many thanks to rich swisstack and shorecatch crew.  they are the best!

dave a.

Congrats!!!      

[hareball]

Good job man

[ped579]

Congratulations Dave, I have read reports on a different site (not to be mentioned) and the reports are a little sketchy.  Could you please elaborate on it for us. 

I have a feeling this year is going to be the year of broken records.  Big fish are coming in right on schedule and if I am not mistaken they are a lot bigger than they have been in the past few years.

Or maybe there are more being reported than usual.

Congrats again.

Happy Catching

Paul