Striper fishing is hot in the northeast. Potential world record

Got an email a few minutes ago from Tony Checkowski, the unofficial keeper of a list of striped bass caught along the East Coast that top 60 pounds.

His two books are remarkable bodies of record keeping.

His email floored me.

He had just gotten a call from a Connecticut angler who was fishing from the surf this morning and had beached an 81-pounder. I knew striper fishing was red hot right now up in those parts, but I didn't expect this potential news.

If that weight holds up on a certified scale, the angling community will have topped one of its sport's most coveted records.

Al McReynolds established the current International Game Fish Association all-tackle world record in 1982, with a 78 pounds, 8 ounce giant caught from the Vermont Avenue Jetty in Atantic City, N.J.

I'm trying to get in touch with the angler, who likely at this point is going absolutely bonkers.

His fish wouldn't bring him the kind of money a world record largemouth would bring, but he'd do pretty well with endorsements and tackle.

First, let's see if there's anything to this.

Stay tuned.

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