Record Skipjack Herring

[Johnsfolly]

I can't imagine the size hook that he used to catch this fish, since he was attempting to snag a paddlefish. I would say probably a little heavy tackle for this fish. Still impressive for the species.

O’Fallon angler takes state-record skipjack herring

Congratulations to James Lucas on breaking the state record by snagging a 1-pound, 10-ounce skipjack herring on the Mississippi River.

O’FALLON, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that James Lucas of O’Fallon became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he snagged a skipjack herring on the Mississippi River.

The new “alternative method” record skipjack herring caught by Lucas on April 8 weighed 1 pound, 10-ounces with a length of 16 1/2 inches. This beat the previous state record, which was held by Lucas, by 2 ounces. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in O’Fallon.

“I really can’t believe I broke my old record with this fish,” said Lucas. “I was trying to snag spoonbill and out of nowhere I snagged this skipjack. I’m just really grateful. It’s always nice to upgrade the state record.”

Lucas added he snagged the skipjack herring off the bank with 80-pound braided line and a 10-foot fishing pole.

“The skipjack herring didn’t put up much of fight when I snagged it. After getting it on the bank I knew the fish was going to be close to my old record, but I wasn’t sure I beat it until I got it home and put it on the scale,” he said.

Lucas is familiar with state-record fish. He also holds the state record for the skipjack herring he caught with his pole and line in 2010.

“I plan on making a replica of the skipjack herring and putting it on the wall. I also may try to use it for bait,” he said.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

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Congratulations to James Lucas on breaking the state record by snagging a 1-pound, 10-ounce skipjack herring in the Mississippi River on April 8, 2016. (NOTE: High-res image available at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/32769).

[Johnsfolly]

Well that record was short lived.

Another St. Louis area angler catches a state-record skipjack herring

MDC congratulates Steve Wengler on breaking the pole-and-line state record by catching a 2-pound, 5-ounce skipjack herring on the Mississippi River.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Steve Wengler of St. Louis became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a skipjack herring on the Mississippi River using a rod and reel.

The new “pole and line” record skipjack herring caught by Wengler on April 17 weighed 2-pounds, 5-ounces. It broke the previous state-record of 1-pound, 14-ounces. Wengler was using two 1/8-ounce white and chartreuse jigs to catch the skipjack herring. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in Defiance.

“The skipjack put up a pretty good fight, but I got it in as fast as I could because I didn’t want to lose the nice fish,” he said. “Once I got it in, I had an idea that I had caught the state record, but wasn’t sure until I put it on the scale.”

Anglers often catch skipjack herring to use for bait. The fish is boney, lacking in flavor, and is seldom used as food. But it fights spectacularly when hooked and can provide considerable sport on light tackle. The oil present in its flesh is said by fishermen to attract catfish. Skipjacks can usually be found in swift water below dams and around the ends of wing dikes.

“2016 is shaping up to be a big year for state record fish in Missouri,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “We have already had nine new records so far, which is more than an entire year sometimes. The mild weather we have had so far this year means more anglers are fishing, and catching big fish.”

Wengler added that he intentionally tried catching a state-record skipjack herring.

“I’m really thrilled to have caught a fish like this,” he said. “I’m really glad I was able to get my name in the record books. My plan now is to get back on the water and go after many more records.”

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl.

James Lucas of O’Fallon recently snagged a state-record skipjack herring under the “alternative methods” category on the Mississippi River on April 8 that weighed 1 pound, 10-ounces with a length of 16 1/2 inches.  

For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

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Congratulations to Steve Wengler on breaking the pole-and-line state record by catching a 2-pound, 5-ounce skipjack herring in the Mississippi River on April 17, 2016. (NOTE: High-res image available at http://mdc.mo.gov/node/32775). 

[Ham]

Nice upgrade!

[Smalliebigs]

I know we have caught some Skippy's bigger than 16 or 17 inches on the Meramec....I wonder how much they weighed??? this one hit a 4 inch topwater bait.....they are THE best Blue bait bar none