WEST MILFORD — Adam Faatz of Hawthorne went fishing recently on Greenwood Lake. He ended up with quite a carp - one that is the New Jersey state record for bow fishing.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed that the carp, taken by Adam Faatz of Hawthorne while bow fishing, is officially a new state record at 45 pounds, 6 ounces.
Faatz was targeting carp from his boat at night on Greenwood Lake on May 19 when, after about two hours of fishing, the fish started swimming toward the back of the boat. The carp fought for 10 minutes before being landed.
The extra large carp, was 42 inches long and had a girth of 32 inches. It broke the old record, taken in the Delaware River by Mark Kronyak in 2008, by 1 pound and 8 ounces.
Faatz is a member of a bowfishing team called the "Team Bloody Decks" which is currently working with the Wounded Warriors and other local organizations to take severely wounded veterans out bowfishing as part of their rehabilitation process.
The New Jersey State Record Fish Program revolves around a specific list of eligible species, and is based on weight alone (there are no line classes). The program goal is to increase awareness of fishing opportunities for species that are regularly sought after and routinely found in the fresh waters or off the coast of New Jersey.
For details on the program, see the Record Fish Program page at www.njfishandwildlife.com/recfish.htm.