By Joe Cermele

Though details are still slowly getting pieced together, the striper world has been turned upside down over the last few hours with Internet reports of an 81.88-pound striped bass taken in Connecticut waters. Though it's not clear yet if this is a surf fish or boat fish, caught on live eel or live porgy, angler Al Stromski Greg Myerson may have just landed what I'd argue is the most coveted saltwater fish record.

Al McReynolds' 78.8-pound record, caught in Atlantic City, NJ, has stood since 1982. Though many anglers have come close to that mark, it has yet to be topped. Over the years, there have also been a large amount of hoax record catches, though this time, it would seem, evidence is mounting that Stromski has legitmately toppled a record thousands have dreamed of crushing. Actually, I just got word that Stromski Myerson quickly weighed the fish and fled the scene at the tackle shop, so there is still a slight element of shadiness here. Head over to Gofishn.com for another photo and a little more of the story. We'll keep you posted as we get more information.

*Here's another quick update from a credible source. Mr. Stromski Myerson is apparently being so hounded he's had a panic attack. The fish is supposedly on ice in his truck, which is parked at the hospital where he's in the ER. Still not knowing how legit this catch is, it just goes to show you how powerful this fish is and how crazy people are about it.

*Now one of our sources says the angler is potentially Greg Myerson, not Al Stromski. This is exactly the kind of chaos I expected when this day finally came.

*Confirmed: Greg Myerson is the angler, and we've tracked down his phone number. Stay tuned.

*If you'd like to keep up with the chaos, check out this ever-growing thread on Stripersonline.com. Already the term "photoshopped" has popped up.

*Click here to read our exclusive interview with Myerson and see exclusive photos of the fish right after it was landed the night before.

Comments (20)

from Moose1980 wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Being from CT I'll be waiting for the details. But man a panic attack? I thought fishing was supposed to be relaxing.

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from Jeremy Verdugo wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

well the lucky guy could possibly top an almost 30 year old world record and have his name in the books for just as long or maybe even longer, that's a weight heavier than the fish he's holding

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from vasportsman wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Isnt easy being a celebrity, hope he is ok and that his fish is a record breaker.

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from Koldkut wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

This is gonna be dizzying, hope you get good details. Congrats to the angler if it was legally caught, extra congrats if it's a record breaker.

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from catfishonthelake wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

A Red Sox fan. Kill me.

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from Koldkut wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

A cool million for that fish if it is certified IGFA and he was using mustad hooks.....I sure hope the rumors of him turning down the IGFA certiification are made with sound knowledge...seems to me that he may be running on an empty gas tank after an all nighter, which can mess with your brain.

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from vasportsman wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Reporting now that he is not going to have it IFGA certified after his panic attack!!!! Hes taking his fish and going home!!!!!!!

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from weedless97 wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

They should try friending him on facebook!

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from weedless97 wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

WOO! WE TOOK THE RECORD BACK FROM.... NEW JERSEY!

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from Jeremy Verdugo wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Gives a whole new meaning to BFF

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from CAPTBOB LINLEY wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

If this guy is dodging everybody and avoiding any legit attempts to document this fish, then he for sure is hiding something. there is no other explanation for his actions and he should give up fishing and take up knitting or some other form of entertainment because we will all laugh him off tthe water, he is all done. In my logbook it will read, (HE SUCKS FARTS OUT OF DEAD SEA GULLS) NO ROOM FOR HIM OUT THERE

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from riverdemon10 wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I believe that this is completely truthful. This guy could just not want all this crazy attention. I read that he is a private person and I can see why this could bother him. Also, in order to register his catch he has to become part of the IGFA. He actually has to become a member and even though I personally would want to do this, it doesnt mean this guy wants all the attention. He's just a fisherman who enjoys catching fish. Give this guy a break.

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from itwas wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I would love to mount thies fish.
I would do a beautiful fiberglass repro with a molded in mouth and gills...It is difficult to tell my skin mounts from my reproductions
congratulations on a catch of a life time

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from Bear74 wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

the panic attack stuff is bs, and so is the not reporting to IGFA. I know Greg well, and this is legit, he will have the record. He's the one laughing at the losers/haters.

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from buckhunter wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I am happy for this guy. Appears to be a hardcore dedicated striper fisherman and deserves the record.

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from Fishit 2 wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I wouldn't put it past the guy to stuff weights/bait in the fish' gut. a lot of money is at stake. Nice fish yes, but I still recognize big Al's AC record for striper caught of the jetty - a bigger accomplishment in my eyes...

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from CAPTBOB LINLEY wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

I HOPE ALL THATS GOING AROUND IS NOT TRUE AND HE REALLY DID BREAK THE RECORED, IF SO STEP UP AND CLAIM IT. I'LL BE THE FIRST TO SHAKE YOUR HAND

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from jamesti wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

i say he can do as he wishes. if you want to call him a cheater, prove it! congrats to him.

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from Greenhead wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

Well said, Jamesti. It is quite a fish, and I hope he learns to enjoy everything that goes along with it.

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from ckRich wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

Congrats to Greg! Sounds like a dedicated fisherman to me.

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from catfishonthelake wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

A Red Sox fan. Kill me.

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Koldkut wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

This is gonna be dizzying, hope you get good details. Congrats to the angler if it was legally caught, extra congrats if it's a record breaker.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Koldkut wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

A cool million for that fish if it is certified IGFA and he was using mustad hooks.....I sure hope the rumors of him turning down the IGFA certiification are made with sound knowledge...seems to me that he may be running on an empty gas tank after an all nighter, which can mess with your brain.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from weedless97 wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

They should try friending him on facebook!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from weedless97 wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

WOO! WE TOOK THE RECORD BACK FROM.... NEW JERSEY!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I am happy for this guy. Appears to be a hardcore dedicated striper fisherman and deserves the record.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jamesti wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

i say he can do as he wishes. if you want to call him a cheater, prove it! congrats to him.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from riverdemon10 wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I believe that this is completely truthful. This guy could just not want all this crazy attention. I read that he is a private person and I can see why this could bother him. Also, in order to register his catch he has to become part of the IGFA. He actually has to become a member and even though I personally would want to do this, it doesnt mean this guy wants all the attention. He's just a fisherman who enjoys catching fish. Give this guy a break.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Bear74 wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

the panic attack stuff is bs, and so is the not reporting to IGFA. I know Greg well, and this is legit, he will have the record. He's the one laughing at the losers/haters.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Fishit 2 wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I wouldn't put it past the guy to stuff weights/bait in the fish' gut. a lot of money is at stake. Nice fish yes, but I still recognize big Al's AC record for striper caught of the jetty - a bigger accomplishment in my eyes...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Greenhead wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

Well said, Jamesti. It is quite a fish, and I hope he learns to enjoy everything that goes along with it.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Moose1980 wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Being from CT I'll be waiting for the details. But man a panic attack? I thought fishing was supposed to be relaxing.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jeremy Verdugo wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

well the lucky guy could possibly top an almost 30 year old world record and have his name in the books for just as long or maybe even longer, that's a weight heavier than the fish he's holding

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from vasportsman wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Isnt easy being a celebrity, hope he is ok and that his fish is a record breaker.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from vasportsman wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Reporting now that he is not going to have it IFGA certified after his panic attack!!!! Hes taking his fish and going home!!!!!!!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Jeremy Verdugo wrote 41 weeks 5 days ago

Gives a whole new meaning to BFF

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from itwas wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

I would love to mount thies fish.
I would do a beautiful fiberglass repro with a molded in mouth and gills...It is difficult to tell my skin mounts from my reproductions
congratulations on a catch of a life time

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from CAPTBOB LINLEY wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

I HOPE ALL THATS GOING AROUND IS NOT TRUE AND HE REALLY DID BREAK THE RECORED, IF SO STEP UP AND CLAIM IT. I'LL BE THE FIRST TO SHAKE YOUR HAND

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ckRich wrote 41 weeks 3 days ago

Congrats to Greg! Sounds like a dedicated fisherman to me.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from CAPTBOB LINLEY wrote 41 weeks 4 days ago

If this guy is dodging everybody and avoiding any legit attempts to document this fish, then he for sure is hiding something. there is no other explanation for his actions and he should give up fishing and take up knitting or some other form of entertainment because we will all laugh him off tthe water, he is all done. In my logbook it will read, (HE SUCKS FARTS OUT OF DEAD SEA GULLS) NO ROOM FOR HIM OUT THERE

-2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.