Last week, I picked up a NPSFA trophy so the 2000 recipient's name can be engraved on a plaque and presented at the awards ceremony in March. This trophy is really something. It is called the "Jerry Sylvester Memorial Award" and it is for the "Largest Bass from Shore" (got their priorities right :P ).It stands about three feet tall and has a surfcaster on top lugging around a surfstick and a large striped bass. So this is sitting on my dinning room table and I start reading the names and size of fish. Amazing, so here goes;

1968 Jack Goda 30#s2ozs
1969 Willard Jones 26#s10ozs
1970 Oliver Gilottone 24#s4ozs
1971 Nelson Valles 29#s8ozs
1972 Mathew Squilante 40#s
1973 Russ Troy 55#s
1974 Russ Troy 493s8ozs
1975 Mathew Squilante 51#s11ozs
1976 Russ Troy 37#s
1977 Joseph Goodeness 38#s
1978 Joseph Goodeness 54#s
1979 Russ Troy 58#s8ozs
1980 Bill Gavit 63#s
1981 Mathew Squilante 57#s
1982 Art Lavalle 57#s12ozs
1983 Andy Lemar 47#s
1984 Jack Linton 59#s
1985 Gene Spring 51#s8ozs
1986 Joseph Kasyan 47#s
1987 Al Pellini 61#s
1988 Steve McKenna 47#s8ozs
1989 Art Lavalle 42#s
1990 Gene Spring 34#s
1991 Steve McKenna 43#s14ozs
1992 Steve McKenna 35#s
1993 Steve McKenna 48#s
1994 Steve McKenna 36#s
1995 Thomas McQuire 43#s
1996 Steve McKenna 39#s
1997 Joe (Flip) Filipkowski 34#s6ozs
1998 Joe (Flip) Filipkowski 28#s
1999 Michael Dunphy 34#s

In recent years, catch, weighed, and release witnessed fish have been accepted as well. The 2000 recipient, matter of fact, is Bill "#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&" Nolan with a 42# fish... Maybe, just maybe, I'll get my name up there one of these years too :o ...

Interesting, John. Look at that run of big fish from 1978 to 1988. Pretty impressive.

In my opinion, this speaks to the recent thread regarding whether there are still as many large fish around. Given, one club trophy is anecdotal evidence. But the fish are substantially smaller from 1989 on, without a 50 pounder in the bunch. I bet plenty of other club trophies would show a similar pattern.

#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, your 2000 trophy win notwithstanding, you have to admit that looking at these numbers it appears it's been quite a bit harder to come by a 50 in the last 10-12 years.

Hey Blitz,

It is interesting as it dovetails somewhat consistantly with the "cycle" of big fish in general. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&'s argument will be that he's gotten fish in the 40 pound to low 50 pound range for the several years in a row as well... I can see it coming :P

The results from the MSBA shore fish I think follow a similar trend too. Good point though...

Hey Blitz,

It is interesting as it dovetails somewhat consistantly with the "cycle" of big fish in general. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&'s argument will be that he's gotten fish in the 40 pound to low 50 pound range for the several years in a row as well... I can see it coming :P

The results from the MSBA shore fish I think follow a similar trend too. Good point though...

During that period from 1978-1988, remember fishing pressure dropped of sharply as did the numbers of juvenile fish.
Therefore for those diehard surfcasters most of the fish they were targeting were big. These fish had little competition for food so would weigh 40+lbs and only be 45" long. 1978-1988, can you say Block Island.....

Definately some nice fish and I also find it interesting to note the decline in big ones in recent years. We can only hope that Frank D is correct and we only need give that big year class time to grow. I am not holding my breath, because I would think by now you would have good numbers of 40 lbers and I don't see it.

Tight lines.

Jack Goda---- the original King/// of the chunkers/// Brings back memories of what he did to the boys from Cutty,Westport, New Bedford, the Cape . Not once, but EVERY single day.//

OK, thanks to the new digital camera that will work wonders under all conditions.... Another shot with some of the names and fish will be next...

[img=http://www.striped-bass.com/npsfa/npsfatroph.jpg]

Another pic... take a look at some of the sizes there... :P (gets me all worked up for this season ;D )

[img=http://www.striped-bass.com/npsfa/npsfatroph2.jpg]

Looks like there is just enough room for a nameplate that says Saltheart , 2001 , 79pounds , World Record!! At least I can dream about it!! :)

Then you need to join :P ... Remember the joke about the old lady complaining that she never won the lottery? She never PLAYED :P ....

I know it's hard to see it but there a few in there over 60#s... And there is plenty room for more ;D