The record for catching the largest inland striped bass in New York State was recently broken, State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced. Eric Lester of Campbell Hall caught a 60 pound female striped bass measuring 53.4 inches in length and 33 inches in girth from the Hudson River in Newburgh on May 14. The new record surpassed the former record of 55 pounds 6 ounces set in 2007.
Angler Lester knew he had a big fish on the line when a comedy of errors ensued as he fished alone on Newburgh Bay. As the fish fought, the reel came off his rod; he managed a quick fix only to find the line tangled around his prop. Despite these difficulties he was able to successfully land the fish. Lester, while astounded at the size of the fish, managed to get her on board. DEC biologists estimated the fish to be at least 20 years old.