New State VA record 73 lbs.

[wicked dan]

I just read on another site that a 73 lb. striper was caught today. If everything holds up it looks like it will be a new state record. There are several pictures on the other site, but I am not sure how to post them here. Congrats to a great catch!

[rjf3]

http://hamptonroads.com/files/images/25971.jpg


By Lee Tolliver
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 23, 2008
Fred Barnes of Chesapeake on Wednesday shattered the Virginia state striped bass record with a 73-pounder caught off the Virginia Beach coast.

The previous record was a 68-pound, 1-ounce fish caught in 2006 by Clay Armstrong.

Barnes was fishing new Cape Henry aboard the Country Girl, skippered by Pat Foster, when the big fish hit a red and white Stretch 30 trolling plug.

Barnes' fish is one of only a few 70-pounders ever caught. The International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record is a 78-8 caught from the New Jersey surf in 1982 by Albert McReynolds.

Russ

[Skmag357]

that fish does not look 73lbs at all

[rchipbrown]

maybe that guy is 6' 8" tall

[Sandollar's Child]

Fish of a lifetime. :)

[rob]

of course it's 73 lbs.... he has his hand on the scale ;)

... I could only dream of a fish that size...

[fishdog]

2 posts in and it's starting already. Nice fish congrats.

[fishhard]

that fish does not look 73lbs at all

What is it that makes you think that?

[IGGY2]

That is definately a big fish, the fish's head is twice the size of the anglers, congrats to the angler.

[rob]

2 posts in and it's starting already. Nice fish congrats.

hey, we're fishermen, right? what'd you expect *LOL*!!

[IGGY2]

What is the black thing in the fish's mouth? looks like an eel tail!

[Bridge Kid]

the hook hes hnging by.........awesome fish

[young~gunz]

What is the black thing in the fish's mouth? looks like an eel tail!

It is the scale.......WOW what a fish!!!!!!

[IGGY2]

DUH!!! I need to fish!

[Mike Grabbe]

How'd that fish escape Monica:confused: :D

Fish of 2 lifetimes!:)

[R401k Angler]

Doesn't look it??
The thing is almost as wide and long as the guy who caught it!!
Sleep well Al McReynolds, your record still stands...for now

[young~gunz]

I hope they remember to bring that fish inside tonite so the racoons dont get to it!! :D

[SURF STRIPER KING 0536]

I hope they remember to bring that fish inside tonite so the racoons dont get to it!! :D

LMAO!!!!!!!!:D

[Skmag357]

What is it that makes you think that?


if that fish is 73 lbs, that picture does no justice for a fish of that size

[gotboost1]

big fish 73.25lb's still not sure where or on what it was caught,some saying north around Cape Henry on a stretch,or south near b4 on a double parachute rig,either way it's a fine fish congrat's the Capt. Pat Foster and the angler Fred Barnes..

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/RACN35/NEW%20STATE%20RECORD/NewStateRecord007.jpg

[The real Clamman]

Whoa !

What a slob !

[striper2278]

And that's the reason I go south every winter!

[young~gunz]

Now that picture is a good shot of how big that thing really is WOW

[Skmag357]

Now that picture is a good shot of how big that thing really is WOW

that picture does a little better...why don't they have a pic of the angler holding it :confused: :confused: :confused:

[fishhard]

if that fish is 73 lbs, that picture does no justice for a fish of that size

I’m guessing that pic does not do it justice but I'm also an optimistic person.

[capt. ed]

It's a great catch. Awesome catch in fact. Wow.

[always fishing]

I think them big mommas like guys in white boots?:D

[BassAssassin8]

I assume they were out in the Chesapeake? :confused:


Beautiful fish.

[bunkerboy15]

I wish i could keep the fish alive weigh it and then throught it back

[zar2754]

very nice, shes a big ol cow.

[B-faithful]

It was caught on a red and white stretch 30

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g34/drjulieball/striper2.jpg

[DEGEND1]

And that's the reason I go south every winter!

Skip, I hear that!

My Uncle (Keyman), cousin (Skmag357), and I started heading down south beginning in January 2006. Our first trip was in January 2006 to the Outer Banks, NC with Captain Donnie Davis of DOA charters (on your reference), but the weather didn't hold up for us. Donnie took us out; however, because of the weather there were no fish, even though Donnie looked hard to find them.

Our second trip was in January 2007 to the Outer Banks with Captain Donnie Davis of DOA charters, but again the weather didn't hold up for us and Donnie cancelled the trip before we left home. We were so bummed out!

This past weekend we just got back from Virginia Beach and fished with Captain Tim and Captain Paul of Clean Sweep Charters. That was one of the best quality striped bass fishing days I have ever seen (see reference in January 20, 2008 post "Clean Sweep Virginia Beach report from this weekend").

I love fishing the Jersey Shore, particularly Cape May, but those big fish down south are hard to ignore. Truly, the fish of a lifetime. I’m so jealous!

[hyperstriper]

nice fish that thing is a slob

[marcusah]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/RACN35/NEW%20STATE%20RECORD/NewStateRecord012.jpg

[Beach Pounder]

Awesome catch! What a cow! I gotta plan a trip in the future, I would have let her go but thats a different story. Congrats to the guy anyway!

[striper2278]

Skip, I hear that!

My Uncle (Keyman), cousin (Skmag357), and I started heading down south beginning in January 2006. Our first trip was in January 2006 to the Outer Banks, NC with Captain Donnie Davis of DOA charters (on your reference), but the weather didn't hold up for us. Donnie took us out; however, because of the weather there were no fish, even though Donnie looked hard to find them.

Our second trip was in January 2007 to the Outer Banks with Captain Donnie Davis of DOA charters, but again the weather didn't hold up for us and Donnie cancelled the trip before we left home. We were so bummed out!

This past weekend we just got back from Virginia Beach and fished with Captain Tim and Captain Paul of Clean Sweep Charters. That was one of the best quality striped bass fishing days I have ever seen (see reference in January 20, 2008 post "Clean Sweep Virginia Beach report from this weekend").

I love fishing the Jersey Shore, particularly Cape May, but those big fish down south are hard to ignore. Truly, the fish of a lifetime. I’m so jealous!I'll be back with Donnie in a couple of weeks. He's the man!;)

[FISHNFOOL]

Beautiful clean healthy looking fish....If you want trophy fish in consistant numbers its hard not to go south....
I travel all over to catch fish but I also look for trophy waters also..

Congrats to the charter and angler....

[rjf3]

I assume they were out in the Chesapeake? :confused:


Beautiful fish.

Bay is closed.

Russ

[underdog]

Great fish. Fish of 100 lifetimes. Congrats to the angler with such awesome fortunes.

[KHP]

Someday!

Nice Catch!

K

[LamiglasMike]

Thats 73lbs heavier then any fish I caught in January!:D:D:D

[B Daley]

I just read on another site that a 73 lb. striper was caught today. If everything holds up it looks like it will be a new state record. There are several pictures on the other site, but I am not sure how to post them here. Congrats to a great catch!

Yep SFC, congrats on a great fish

[DEEP POCKETS]

Wow, just imagine if that fish was caught on light tackle jigging:eek: :D Either way great fish & congrats to the angler on a big ol cow.

Best part is theres probably bigger ones around:)

[TheAdamBomb]

Monsta'! Nice job!

[toolguy73]

[quote=FISHNFOOL]Beautiful clean healthy looking fish....
quote]

I was thinking th same thing. That fish looks great, besides the size.

Congrats to the angler.

Someday........................

[finaddict5]

Wowser! Wtg;)

[Bulls Eye Fishing Rods]

What an awesome fish. Its getting closer and closer to the record.

[yomoe]

Gotboost1 - still not sure where or on what it was caught,some saying north around Cape Henry on a stretch, or south near b4
BassAssassin8 - I assume they were out in the Chesapeake?


In the Virginian-Pilot it says -"Barnes, 63, a Chesapeake telephone contractor, shattered the state rockfish record with a 73-pound giant caught near the 4A Buoy off Cape Henry"

http://hamptonroads.com/pilotonline (http://hamptonroads.com/pilotonline)
The link to story is 1/3 of the way down on the left -

NICE FISH!!

:)

[fishypete]

WOW!!!!! One of these days:rolleyes:

[DEGEND1]

I'll be back with Donnie in a couple of weeks. He's the man!;)

Skip,

Donnie is good and I nice guy, too. We saw Donnie this past weekend on the water in Virginia Beach while fishing with Captain Tim and Captain Paul of Clean Sweep Charters (see reference in January 20, 2008 post "Clean Sweep Virginia Beach report from this weekend"). Good luck on your trip and give Donnie my regards when you see him.

Douglas

[striperbob817]

nice catch how long was it

[ALEX & I]

Nice fish ,I am sure everyone on this site would love to catch. But you will always have your haters.

[The Irish Jig]

That's a beautiful fish! Look at the piling behind her...lol

[bornband]

Such a great fish! I hope some of those swim up to Cape Cod this spring! I will be waiting. :D

[AndyJ]

DOA Donnie has put some friends and I in many a bird plays loaded with 30lb+ rock. He's a good guy and he knows his stuff. It's only a matter of time till someone out of VA or Oregon Inlet takes down the world record.

[StealthMode]

Hopefully, this is a sign of a good spring...:D

...I wonder if there is a 100 pounder somewhere..."records were made to be broken"

SM:cool:

[channel runner]

Congrats to Fred Barnes for his new record fish. That is truely a fish of a life time and his smile says it all. That is a beauty and he deserves much praise for that fish. Lets also say congrats to Capt. Pat Foster of the Country Girl For putting Fred on that fish.

[zar2754]

Hopefully, this is a sign of a good spring...:D

...I wonder if there is a 100 pounder somewhere..."records were made to be broken"

SM:cool:

no doubt. and he didnt get 100LB by eating hook baits.

[JACK BEAN]

Fred,congrats On A Fish Of A Life Time.i Hope You Are Going To Have It Mounted.jb

[Mako13]

Awsome Fish !!!!!!!!!