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Record NJ White
Catfish
December 1, 2004
 The
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and
Wildlife has certified a new state record white catfish that was caught
from Dallenbach Pond in East Brunswick, Middlesex County on August 14.
Timothy Jasko of Monroe Township, New Jersey caught a 14 pound, 4 ounce
white catfish that weighed 3 pounds 15 ounces more than the previous
record taken from the Raritan River in 1976!
Jasko was fishing with a simple bobber, hook and nightcrawler when he
landed the fish from his boat on 14-pound test line. The fish was weighed
by the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and measured 29 inches in
length with a 19-inch girth. In addition to being positively identified by
freshwater fisheries biologists, the fish was also verified by the curator
of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia (ANSP). The ANSP
estimated the fish to be 18 to 25 years old and will keep the skeleton for
display in its museum.
Jasko was set for a Friday night of fishing with a friend and his children
when it started to rain. The guests didn’t show, but Tim wasn’t about to
waste all those worms. After casting the last one around 7 p.m. and seeing
nothing, he started to reel the rods in when he saw the bobber on one of
them take a dip. Primarily a bass
fisherman, Tim first thought he was
snagged, but soon realized it was a catfish on the other end. After about
10 minutes he netted the catch of his life.
Dallenbach Pond is an old sand wash that is a popular fishing hole. In
fact, Tim’s grandfather used to fish there. Though small in size, it is
very deep in certain spots.
White catfish inhabit the fresh and slightly brackish water of river
channels, streams and ponds. Originally restricted to the Atlantic Coast
from New York to Florida, the species has been introduced and is thriving
widely outside its native range. Although tolerant of swiftly flowing
streams, it prefers a slower current than its cousin, the channel catfish.
Despite the name, white catfish sport a bluish coloring above with a
silver-hued underside. They are not spotted like channel cats and do not
possess a deeply forked tail like a bullhead.
White catfish feed on nearly all aquatic life, including other fish and
insects. This species is prized for its excellent taste and firm, white
meat.
The Record Fish Program recognizes the largest species of fish caught in
the state. It revolves around a specific list of eligible freshwater and
saltwater species, and is based on weight alone; there are no line
classes. Scale certification documentation, including the Certificate of
Inspection/Test Report and Registration Certificate issued by the New
Jersey Office of Weights and Measures, as well as a weighmaster’s
signature, are necessary. Other rules apply.
For more information or to request an application (pdf,
84kb), call 609-633-7768. Visit the Division’s Website at
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/recfish.htm for a complete list of state record
fish.
SUBMITTED BY:
Member "bubba631"
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