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Red hake are rarely known to attain weights exceeding 6 or 7 pounds, so this particular fish can truly be considered a monster hake. White hake on the other hand are very similar looking and known to attain weights of as much as 40 pounds. Since the two species are so similar and the weight of the fish Watson caught was more in the white hake range, marine fisheries biologists diligently examined the fish to confirm its identification and its world record status.

Division of Fish and Wildlife marine fisheries biologists first examined the fish and counted scale rows and the gill rakers on the upper portion of the first gill arch, which are both reported to be valid diagnostic characters. The initial examination showed the fish to be a red hake. The identification was then confirmed by ichthyologists at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia who x-rayed the specimen to determine the number of abdominal vertebrae, another diagnostic character. This too identified the fish as a red hake and it has been added to the Academy's extensive fish collection.

The red hake can be found from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to North Carolina, and is most abundant from the western Gulf of Maine through Southern New England waters. They are a member of the cod family and as such possess a distinctive barbel on their chin. Red hake vary in color depending upon their environment, but tend to be a mottled red/brown to olive/brown on their upper sides with large irregular pale light brown patches becoming a dirty white to bright white underneath.

Red hake prefer soft sand or muddy bottom, and feed primarily on crustaceans and rock crabs, as well as fish such as haddock, silver hake, sea robins, mackerel and small red hake. Primary predators of red hake include spiny dogfish, cod, goosefish, and silver hake.

With identification of the fish confirmed, Billy can now enjoy his new world record holder status and rest assured that his catch will definitely be a hard one to beat!

New Jersey Record Saltwater Fish

via www.njfishandwildlife.com

Arcadia motorcyclist survives turkey head-on

| HeraldTribune.com

"I was coming home one night," said the 42-year-old teacher from her hospital bed in St. Petersburg, "when I had this hog come right at me. It charged me over there, at Horse Creek Road."

But that's not what landed her in Bayfront Medical Center on Saturday afternoon. What flung her like a rag doll at 55 to 60 mph into a webbing of barbed wire as she hurtled west on State Road 72 last weekend was a wild turkey.

"I saw it out of the corner of my eye, for just a millisecond," said Hansen, who never wears a helmet. "I ducked left to avoid it but it hit me in my head, and I lost consciousness."

The bird, whose 20-pound carcass was recovered by a nearby resident and stuffed into a freezer, had bolted from pastureland east of Myakka River State Park shortly before noon. Hansen's fiance, Kurle Gibson, was trailing her in his Harley-Davidson Road King as they rode to Sarasota for his grandson's first birthday party. He'd never seen anything like it.

read via www.heraldtribune.com

SENATOR NORCROSS TO CHAIR NEW JERSEY ANGLER AND HUNTER CONSERVATION CAUCUS

By Anthony P. Mauro, Sr

TRENTON - Senator Donald Norcross, of the Fifth Legislative District, will take over as the Democratic Co-Chair of the New Jersey  Angler and Hunter Conservation Caucus.

The New Jersey Angler and Hunter Conservation Caucus was initially formed by Senate President Stephen Sweeney, with assistance from the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Conservation Foundation and others. It grew quickly to 26 members from both parties and served to promote responsible enjoyment and protection of New Jersey's diverse and rich environment.

Senate President Sweeney will remain a member, but yielded his responsibilities to Senator Norcross.

"From anglers and hunters, to hikers and campers - every year thousands of New Jerseyans and tourists enjoy our forests, pine barrens, shores, rivers and lakes," said Senator Norcross (D-Camden/Gloucester).

"What is clear to me is that we need to continue to make New Jersey a safe and attractive place for these people to visit and enjoy while protecting our natural treasures. Anglers and hunters understand the pleasure of enjoying and the value of protecting these natural gifts, which is just one reason I am honored to be asked to head up this caucus," Senator Norcross added.

"I am glad to have my friend Senator Norcross take my position. He is someone I trust to balance the need for conservation and the types of activities New Jerseyans enjoy in our great outdoors," said Senate President Sweeney.

The NJ Angling and Hunting Conservation Caucus is a bi-partisan group, organized in part to address the needs of New Jersey citizens who fish, hunt, and pursue other outdoor activities. It seeks to ensure not only access to public lands, but to make sure there are strong protections and conservation measures in place.

"We are thrilled that Senator Norcross has accepted the position," said New Jersey Outdoor Conservation Foundation Chairman Anthony P. Mauro, Sr. "It is an acknowledgement not only of his commitment to safeguarding our state's natural resources but is recognition of the important economic contributions of New Jersey's anglers and hunters. Spending by Garden State anglers and hunters directly supports 16,000 jobs, which provides $585 million of wages for working residents and generates $109 million in state and local taxes."

Senator Norcross is currently working with members to develop the caucus' agenda and meeting schedule for this legislative session.

JOIN NJOA:  http://www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html