For example, several of the biggest largemouth bass ever caught in New Jersey (including the state record) hail from ponds. Steve Buck caught the nearest contender to the record bass, a whopping 10-pound, 9-ounce lunker, while fishing from a local pond in Manahawkin back in 1986. His bass was just 5 ounces shy of tying with Eisele's fish for the No. 1 spot. Two other heavyweight bass -- an 8-pound, 6.5-ounce fish caught by Monte Tabor in 1987 and an 8-pound, 2-ounce bass taken by Joe Angelini in 1995 -- were caught from a private lake and a private pond, respectively.

Other big bass, such as Mercerville resident Sebastiano Stia's 9-pound, 8-ounce lunker from Assunpink Lake (2003 Skillful Angler Award winner), Kenneth Myers' 8-pound, 12-ounce monster, and Jerry Gubbine's 8-pound, 10-ounce brute, were taken from public waters. Myers' 1990 catch was from Sunset Lake (88 acres in Cumberland County), while Gubbine's 1989 award-winning fish came out of Parvins Mill (95 acres in Salem County). Ken Williams' 8-pound, 8.5-ounce bass from 1992 hails from Mary Elmer Lake (also simply known as Elmer Lake in Salem County). Elmer Lake is just outside of the town of Elmer, off U.S. Route 40.

Interestingly, Eisele feels that the next state-record bass will likely hail from Mary Elmer Lake. Eisele was told that according to rumors, several years ago the state may have electro-shocked a bass out of Mary Elmer Lake that might have been bigger than Eisele's record. This bass was released back into the lake.

Several of our state's better-known waters, such as Union Lake (898 acres in Cumberland County), Lake Hopatcong (2,684 acres in Morris/Sussex counties), Swartswood (494 acres in Sussex County) and Little Swartswood Lake (74 acres in Sussex County) have all produced big bass over the years. Union Lake and Little Swartswood provided 7-pound, 10-ounce bass for two skilled anglers. Frank Chinnici took his big bass in 1994 from Union Lake, years before the lake's dam was repaired in 2001.

Union Lake's fishing looks even more promising than before, with more stable water levels and better predator-to-prey ratios after being renovated five years ago. Phil Cummings caught his lunker largemouth from Little Swartswood in 1993. And last but not least, Dominick Bizzari bested a 6-pound, 12-ounce bass from well-known Lake Hopatcong in 1997.

Obviously, all of these lakes will be worth a look this season, too.

AGAINST THE ODDS
And what are the chances of ever catching a 10-plus pound largemouth bass in New Jersey waters? It may be easier to win the lottery. After all, it takes largemouth bass an average of five years to reach 5 pounds in New Jersey's climate. To get to 10 pounds or more, a bass in the Garden State would have to be in the 12-year-old range. Bass will grow a bit faster in south Jersey waters, and savvy readers may have already noticed that most of the biggest bass mentioned here hail from southern state lakes and ponds. Studies indicate that out of 20,000 eggs laid, only 50 bass even make it through their first year. To make it to almost 11 pounds goes against great odds, but it's definitely possible.

Anglers can be recognized for their outstanding catches through our state's Skillful Angler Awards Program. A largemouth bass of 6 pounds or more, properly weighed and processed, will earn you a certificate. For more information, write to New Jersey Skillful Angler Awards Program, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ, 08625-0400; or visit their Web site: www.njfishandwildlife.com. Perhaps you'll be the next angler to catch New Jersey's next record! It won't be easy, but it's not impossible!