On 12-3-99, I was float fishing for smallmouth bass and much to my surprise I had a monster 'eye strike my minnow. This beast fought like a diesel train and took me for a ride on the river. I was using only 8# test w/o any type of steel leader. I finally landed him and he weighed 13 1/2 pounds and was 32 1/2 inches long. I have been checking with my local DNR and it may be the longest walleye taken from the New River in WV.

Congratulations Marc, sounds like you caught the fish of a lifetime!!

Above or below Sandstone Falls???

<center><font size="1" color="#ff0000">LAST EDITED ON Dec-07-99 AT 08:04PM (EST)</font></center>

Fishin Fred,

It was below Sandstone Falls.

Marc

why would you think you need a steel leader to catch walleye? I hope you threw it back so a real walleye fisherman could have a chance at her.

just exactly what is a real walleye fisherman

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Hey Just Curious, what gives? The guy brags about a big walleye, no make that a huge walleye, and you slam him? If you reread his post it says he DID NOT use a leader. Even if he did use one, what difference does it make? Also can you tell me what is a "real" walleye fisherman? Are you a "real" walleye fisherman?

That fish is a great fish, and if he took it home to be mounted I hope he has fond memories of the day he caught it everytime he looks up at it!! So what if it was an incidental catch; thats what fishing's about - you never know what you're going to catch, if anything!!

Just Curious,

To answer your question, I do not think one has to use a steel leader to catch walleye. I was testing some new Maxima 8# line. I was very thankful and fortunate to land a trophy smallie, muskie, and walleye in the same day using this line. My reference to "w/o a steel leader" was basically referring to the strength of the line. Ya know something brother....I was always taught if you can't say something nice....!!!

Marc

Hey, Just Curious, I am also curious...just exactly WHAT or WHOM do you consider a real 'eye fisherman???

Here is my real name and real email address if you care to share those qualifications with me off the board....

Brian King
brikng@outdoorsite.com

Congratulations, Marc, on a fine walleye!

Marc--thanks for the answer. Just a couple of more questions---and not to pin you down to any location. What was the river condition were you were experiencing. Were you working the shoals , bank or deep water. If my memory serves me right, didn't the WV state record come out of the New above Thurmond? Congrats on a fine fish. Ps how big was the Muskie. Fred

Fishin Fred,

I was drifting in the deeper holes, but I caught the 'eye in 4ft. of water. I also caught the muskie in 4ft. of water approx. 50 yards from where I caught the 'eye. BTW, the lunge was 38" long. It truly was a great day to be alive and on the river.

See ya on the river,

Marc

Fishin Fred,

The state record walleye in WV were taken from the Gauley River (1990 / 17.22# and 33" long) and Kanawha Falls (1976 / 15# and 35" long).

Marc

Marc, congrats on a great fish. I have only just recently gotten the walleye bug and have never seen a fish like yours much less caught one. Keep up the good work and just so you know guys like just curious are a minority and it sounds as if he is jealous.

honest