In 2010, 127 applications representing 25 different species were officially processed. Since the program's modest beginning (31 applicants in 1983), the Division has granted Skillful Angler status to 3,068 anglers.

INTERESTING FACTS:

The most frequently entered species by skillful anglers in 2010 (adult, junior, and catch and release categories combined) were rainbow trout with 16 entries, followed by largemouth bass (13), chain pickerel (13) and striped bass saltwater (12).

The following is a breakdown of applications received per species (all categories combined): largemouth bass (13), smallmouth bass (5), striped bass hybrid (4), bullhead (3), carp (1), channel catfish (7), crappie (8), muskellunge (4), yellow perch (5), chain pickerel (13), America shad (1), brook trout (4), brown trout (6), lake trout (1), rainbow trout (16), sunfish (4), walleye (5), black sea bass (4), striped bass caught in saltwater (12), black drum (2), bluefish (1), fluke (6), kingfish (1), tautog (1) and big eye tuna (1).

In 2010, no entries were received for the striped bass freshwater, pike, cod, dolphin, winter flounder, blue marlin, white marlin, pollock, mako shark, albacore tuna, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, tuna (other) categories and weakfish.

Overall, more freshwater catches (99) were entered than saltwater (28).

The 2010 Skillful Angler Winners are as follows:

ADULT CATEGORY FRESHWATER SPECIES:

Striped Bass Hybrid - 10 lbs, 5 oz. caught by Bobby Kreutz of Grove, OK on July 10. Bobby was fishing from a boat in Culvers Lake when he landed the fish at 7:44 pm. Fourteen-pound test was used with a Quantum rod and reel. A grub served for bait. The fish measured 28.5 inches in length and had an 18-inch girth.

Bullhead - 2 lbs, 0 oz. caught by Thom Begoss of Randolph on August 27. Thom was fishing from the shore of Heddon Lake Park in Dover when he landed the fish at 6:50 am. Twelve-pound test was used with a Southbend rod and a Mitchell reel. A worm served as bait. The fish measured 14.5 inches in length. Girth was unknown.

Channel Catfish - 18 lbs, 8 oz. caught by Alex DeRocco of Landing on October 13. Alex was fishing from a dock when he landed the fish at 11:30 pm. Herring were used. The fish measured 31 inches in length and had a 22.5 inch girth.

Crappie - 3 lbs, .14 oz. caught by Frank Sliker of Newton on February 23. Frank was fishing through the ice at Lake Owassa when he landed the fish at 10:00 am. Six-pound test was used with a homemade rod and a Mitchell 300 reel. A castmaster with perch eye served for a lure. The fish measured 17 inches in length and had a 14-inch girth.

Yellow Perch - 1 lbs, 12 oz. caught by Mike Dargel of Succasunna on January 24. Mike was ice fishing on Lake Hopatcong when he landed the fish at 6:45 am. Four-pound test was used with a jigging rod and spinning reel. A jighead with a fathead served as a lure. The fish measured 14.5 inches in length with a 10.25 inch girth.

Chain Pickerel - 5 lbs, 13 oz. caught by Krzysztof Czyz of Garfield on February 28. Krzysztof was fishing through the ice on Lake Hopatcong when he landed the fish. The fish was caught on a tip up. A shiner served as bait. The fish measured 27.5-inches in length. Girth was unknown.

Brook Trout - 3 lbs, 3 oz. caught by Allen Loyer of Milltown on May 13. Allen was fishing from the shore of the Raritan River, South Branch when he hooked the fish at 8:45 am. Four-pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and Michale reel. A castmaster served as bait. The fish measured 19.0625 inches in length with a 10.5 inch girth.

Rainbow Trout - 11 lbs, .5 oz. caught by Michael Holwitz of Farmingdale on April 10. Michael was fishing from the shore of Spring Lake when he landed the fish at 3:00 pm. Four-pound test was used with an ultralight 4' Browning Sila Flex and a Browning spinning reel. Bait was unknown. The fish measured 26 inches in length and had a 19 inch girth.

Walleye - 8 lbs, 7 oz. caught by Robert Muraszewski of Ridgewood on October 10. Robert was fishing a boat on Lake Hopatcong when he landed the fish. Eight-pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. A herring served as bait. The fish measured 29 inches in length and had a 16.5-inch girth.

ADULT CATEGORY SALTWATER SPECIES:

Black Sea Bass - 4 lbs, 1 oz. caught by Jim Mulvey of Gillette on October 30. Jim was fishing off a boat out of Point Pleasant when he landed the fish at 1:00 pm. Twenty-five-pound test was used with a Shimano Muskie Stick rod and conventional Ambassador reel. Clams and squid served for bait. The fish measured 24.5 inches in length and girth was unknown.

Striped Bass - 57 lbs, 12 oz. caught by Phil Lagrossa of Toms River on May 13. Phil was in a boat off Monmouth County when he hooked the fish at 7:30 pm. Fifty-pound Power Pro test line was used with a Kevin Bogan custom 8' rod and Quantum 60 pts reel. A danny swimmer served for bait. The fish measured 50 inches in length and girth was unknown.

Black Drum - 90 lbs, 0 oz. caught by Patrick Groves of Monroeville on August 11. Patrick was fishing from a boat on Delaware Bay when he reeled the fish in. Twenty-pound test was used with an Okuma Solaris IM6 rod and a Penn Sargus reel. Clams and squid were used for bait. The fish measured 52.5 inches in length and had a 38 inch girth.

Fluke - 12 lbs, 15 oz. caught by Harvey Yenkinson of West Chester, PA on July 15. Harvey was fishing from a boat on Delaware Bay when he landed the fish at 2:00 pm. Fifteen-pound Spiderwire was used with a Shakespeare rod and a Shimano reel. Sea robin served for bait. The fish measured 34 inches in length with a 29 inch girth.

Kingfish - 1 lb, 14 oz. caught by Sherm Andres of Sherrills Ford, NC on October 8. Sherm was fishing from the surf at North Beach Haven when he reeled the fish in at 3:00 pm. Fifteen-pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and Daiwa spinning reel. Bloodworms were used as bait. The fish measured 16.75 inches in length and had an 8.5 inch girth.

Tautog - 10 lbs, 12 oz. caught by Joseph Campellone of Mount Laurel on April 3. Joseph was fishing from off a boat at AC reef when he landed the fish at 1:00 pm. Thirty-pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a Penn reel. A clam served as bait. The fish measured 24.75 inches in length with a 19 inch girth.

Big Eye Tuna - 256 lbs, 8 oz. caught by Susan Kaiser of Long Beach Township on June 26. Susan was fishing from a boat at South Tom's when she landed the fish at 12:05 pm. Eighty-pound test was used with a trolling rod and a Penn 80 reel. A Hawaiian eye served as the lure. The fish measured 71 inches in length and had 54 inch girth.

JUNIOR CATEGORY FRESHWATER SPECIES:

Striped Bass Hybrid - 7 lbs, 14 oz. caught by 13-year-old Marion Macaoay of Milford on September 25. Marion was fishing from the shore on Lake Hopatcong when he caught the fish at 2:00 pm. Six-pound test was used with a Cabelas spinning rod and spinning reel. A worm was used as bait. The fish measured 26 inches in length and had a 16 inch girth.

Chain Pickerel - 4 lbs, 7 oz. caught by 15-year-old Michael Pelligrino of Wayne on January 24. Michael was fishing through the ice on Lake Hopatcong when he landed the fish at 1:00 pm. The fish was caught on a tip up. A shiner served for bait. The length and girth were unknown.

Brook Trout - 2 lbs, 3 oz. caught by 15-year-old Christopher Robertson of Carneys Point on October 23. Christopher was fishing from the shore of Schadlers Sand Wash when he hooked the fish. Six-pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. A spinner served as the lure. The fish measured 16.5 inches in length and had a 10.5 inch girth.

Brown Trout - 6 lbs, 8 oz. caught by 14-year-old Tyler Getz of Phillipsburg on April 28. Tyler was fishing from the banks of Musconetcong when he landed the fish at 5:50 pm. Twelve-pound test was used with a Shimano rod and a spinning reel. An Anglia Long served for a lure. The fish measured 23 inches in length with a 14 inch girth.

Rainbow Trout - 5 lbs, 11 oz. caught by 12-year-old Joseph Schank of Pennington on March 21. Joseph was fishing from the shore of Rosedale Lake when he landed the fish at 3:15 pm. Six-pound test was used with an Ugly Stik 30th Anniversary rod and a Shakespeare reel. Powerbait served as bait. The fish measured 23.25 inches in length and had a 13.5 inch girth.

Sunfish - 0 lbs, 12 oz. caught by Matthew Hasara of Milford on May 29. Matthew was fishing from the shore of a private pond when he reeled in the fish at 2:00 pm. Four-pound test was used with a spin casting rod and reel. An earthworm was the bait. The fish measured 9 inches in length and had a 15 inch girth.

Walleye - 5 lbs, 6 oz. caught by 9-year-old Justin Dornblasser of Easton, PA on May 16. Justin was fishing from a boat on Swartswood Lake when he landed the fish at 6:00 am. Ten-pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a Shimano reel. A shiner served for bait. The fish measured 26 inches in length and had a 13 inch girth.

JUNIOR CATEGORY SALTWATER SPECIES:

Black Sea Bass - 4 lbs, 12 oz. caught by 9-year-old Hailey Pacyna of Toms River on July 25. Hailey was fishing from a boat 8 miles off Barnegat Inlet when she hooked the fish. Twenty-five-pound test was used with a Shimano rod and reel. Clam was the bait. The fish measured 24 inches in length with a 16 inch girth.

Striped Bass - 41 lbs, 4 oz. caught by 8-year-old Danny Burns of Point Pleasant on May 16. Danny was fishing from a boat off Lavallette when he hooked the fish at 10:00 am. Thirty-pound test was used with a Shimano rod and reel. A spoon served as lure. The fish measured 48 inches in length and girth was unknown.

Black Drum - 68 lbs, 0 oz. caught by 11-year-old James Edwards of Holmdel on June 26. James was fishing from a boat off of Sandy Hook when he landed the fish at 12:30 pm. Twenty-five-pound test was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a spinning reel. A squid served as bait. Length and girth were unknown.

Fluke - 11 lbs, 4 oz. caught by 13-year-old James Laco of Long Branch on July 27. James was fishing from a boat at Sandy Hook when he landed the fish 4:00 pm. Twenty-pound Spectra was used with a spinning rod and reel. A bucktail served for a lure. The fish measured 31 inches in length and had an unknown girth.

CATCH AND RELEASE CATEGORY FRESHWATER SPECIES:

Largemouth Bass - 25 inches caught by Tom Ridinger of Thorofare on March 31. Tom was fishing from the shoreline of a pond in southern New Jersey when he reeled the fish in at 10:00 am. Twenty-pound test was used with a Quantum rod and a Shimano reel. The lure was a Storm sunfish. The girth was unknown.

Smallmouth Bass - 20 inches caught by Henry Buergel of Phillipsburg on June 12. Henry was fishing from a boat on Merrill Creek Reservoir when he reeled the fish in at 9:30 am. Eight-pound test was used with a Shimano rod and a Diawa reel. A shad rap served as bait. Girth was unknown.

Striped Bass Hybrid - 26 inches caught by Steve Holick of Sparta on May 14. Steve was fishing from a boat on Lake Hopatcong when he reeled in the fish at 9:00 pm. Ten-pound test was used with a St. Croix Mojo Bass 7' rod and a spinning reel. A live herring served for bait. Girth was unknown.

Bullhead - 21 inches caught by Dalton James Povilaitis of Oak Ridge on September 25. Dalton was fishing at a William Clark Pond when he reeled in the fish at 10:15 am. Six-pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. Worms served as the bait. Girth was unavailable.

Carp - 38 inches caught by Timothy DeVries of Wrightstown on May 17. Timothy was fishing from the shore at Oakford Lake when he reeled in the fish at 1:30 pm. Twenty-pound test line was used with an Ugly Stik rod and a Daiwa reel. Dough balls served as the bait. The girth was unknown.

Channel Catfish - 34 inches caught by Patrick Giglio of Mt. Laurel on July 24. Patrick was fishing from the shore of Mt. Laurel Lake when he reeled in the fish at 2:35 p.m. Six-pound test line was used with a Fin-Nor rod and a Shimano reel. Cut bait was used to attract the fish. Girth was unavailable.

Crappie - 16 inches caught by John Swayser of Trenton on March 21. John was fishing from the shore at Rosedale Lake in Hopewell when he reeled in the fish at 10:00 am. Six-pound Trilene was used with a Daiwa rod and reel. A Rapala was the lure of choice. Girth was 13.5 inches

Muskellunge - 50.25 inches caught by Joe Satkowski of Hampton on October 24. Joe was fishing from a boat on Lake Hopatcong when he reeled in the fish at 7:40 am. Eighty-pound test was used with a St. Croix rod and an Okuma reel. Girth was 24 inches.

Yellow Perch - 15 inches caught by Michael J. Murray of Montvale on May 16. Michael was fishing from a boat on Canistear Reservoir in Sussex County when he reeled in the fish at 5:45 am. Eight-pound test line was used with a Shimano Crucial rod and a Shimano reel. A Keitah, Little Spider 3.5" with Gamkatsu #24 football jig in 3/16 oz. served as the lure. The girth was unknown.

Chain Pickerel - 26 inches caught by Chris Bogoly of Easton, PA on May 23. Chris was fishing from a boat on Swartswood Lake when he reeled in the fish at 11:00 am. Ten-pound test was used with an Eagle Claw rod and reel. A white spinnerbait served as the lure. The girth was unknown.

American Shad - 24 inches caught by Kevin J. Long of Bernville, PA on May 1. Kevin was fishing from a boat on the Delaware River when he landed the fish. A Cabelas fly rod and reel were used. A flutterspoon served as the lure. Girth was unknown.

Brook Trout - 20.25 inches caught by Kyle Frank of Green Brook on April 3. Kyle was fishing from the shore at the Pequest Trout Conservation Area when he reeled in the fish at 4:00 pm. Eight-pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. A Rapala countdown served as the lure. Girth was unknown.

Brown Trout - 25 inches caught by Henry Buergel of Phillipsburg on June 22. Henry was fishing from a boat on Merrill Creek reservoir when he landed the fish at 8:00 am. Eight-pound test was used with a Shimano rod and reel. A spoon served as the lure. Girth was unavailable.

Lake Trout - 40 inches caught by John F. Korn of Flemington on December 11. John was fishing from a boat on Round Valley Reservoir when he landed the fish at 11:30 am. Ten-pound test was used Shimano 7' rod and a Daiwa spinning reel. A chartreuse Gitzit tube served as the lure. Girth was unknown.

Rainbow Trout - 25 inches caught by Kyle Frank of Green Brook on April 4. Kyle was fishing from the shore of the Pequest Trout Conservation Area when he landed the fish at 4:30 pm. Eight-pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. A Rapala countdown served as the lure. Girth was unknown.

Sunfish - 10.25 inches caught by George Horvath of Trenton on July 27. George was fishing from the shore at Carnegie Lake when he reeled in the fish at 7:00 pm. Twelve-pound test was used with a spinning rod and reel. Cornmeal served as bait. Girth was 9.25 inches.

CATCH AND RELEASE CATEGORY SALTWATER SPECIES:

Striped Bass - 46 inches caught by Tara DeLeon of Bloomfield on June 26. Tara was fishing from a boat off Shrewsbury Rocks when she landed the fish at 6:30 am. Thirty-pound test was used with a 7' custom rod and a Penn Jigmaster reel. A bunker served as the bait. Girth was unavailable.

Bluefish - 34 inches caught by Bill Vivona of Bound Brook on August 21. Bill was fishing from a boat northeast of Shrewsbury Rocks when he landed the fish at 12:30 pm. Forty-pound test was used with Daiwa 40-lb. class rod and a Penn reel. A moss bunker served as the bait. The girth was unavailable.