What's the Catch?

Written by: Hopewell Valley Student Publications Network
  • Summary

  • What’s The Catch? Is a student-run podcast that examines all the aspects of the sport of fishing. Join podcast host, Andrew Rowan, as he breaks down different species of fish, what bait/equipment to use, and where you can catch them.
    Copyright 2023 Hopewell Valley Student Publications Network
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Episodes
  • Snake Eyes
    Jan 13 2023
    Snake EyesEpisode #8

    You are listening to What’s The Catch? the podcast with your host Andrew Rowan.

    In this episode of What’s The Catch? We’re gonna be talking about Snakeheads :what they are, where to find them, how to catch them, and why you should want to catch them. 

    Segment 1: Species Background

    The Northern snakehead are predatory fish native to Africa and Asia. Their name comes from the fact that their pattern along their bodies resembles one of a snakes. Their head is also very snake-like. They’re an invasive species, being introduced to U.S waters because of people dumping their pet snakehead into a local body of water without knowing they are not native here. Their average length is 33 inches and the average weight is around 15 lbs. 

    Fun Facts

    • They can breathe for a little on land because of the sacs above their gills which take in oxygen from the air
    • It can survive out of water up to 4 days
    • They have a big rox of sharp teeth, making it bot possible to golf them by their lips
    • They can “walk” on land

    Segment 2: Where can I find them?

    With being an invasive species, Snakeheads can be found in Jersey but not as common as other species. Their are still some places that have them. The best places to fin them are under vegetation like lilies, underwater grass, and downed trees/tree logs

    Places near/in hopewell

    • Harrisonville Lake
    • Crystal Lake
    • Mantua creek
    • Salem canal
    • Delaware river

    Segment 3: How can I catch them?

    Rods to use

    • Medium- light 7 foot spinning rod/ baitcaster

    Best line

    • 25 lb test braided line

    Best live bait

    • Worms
    • Bluegill cutbait

    Best rigs/lures

    • Topwater frogs
    • Poppers
    • Buzzbaits
    • Chatterbaits
    • spinnerbaits

    Segment 4: Why should I want to catch them?

    Reasons why

    • Good fight, very...
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    8 mins
  • Bass, Round 2!
    Dec 22 2022
    What’s The Catch?Bass, Round 2!

    Episode #7 

    You are listening to What’s The Catch? the podcast with your host Andrew Rowan.

    In this episode of What’s The Catch? We’re gonna be talking about Striped Bass :what they are, where to find them, how to catch them, and why you should want to catch them. 

    Segment 1: Species Background

    The Striped Fish is a Saltwater Fish found primarily along the th Atlantic Coast of North America. They have sleek bodies and are gray in color. They get their name from the stripes along the sides of their body. Their average length is between 20-35 inches and their weight can range from 5 to 20 pounds

    Fun Facts

    • Can survive in salt and freshwater
    • State fish of Maryland, South Carolina, and Rhode Island
    • State Marine fish of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and New Hampshire
    • Largest won ever caught on record weighed 124 pounds in 1896
    • They can live up to thirty years

    Segment 2: Where can I find them?

    Since they can survive in bothy kinds of waters, you can find them almost anywhere. But they usually are still mostly found in saltwater. Stripers move to shallower waters after dark so going on the beach and fishing would be best at night. So unlike other saltwater fish, it can be caught while on land. Going on Kayak as well is a good way to catch them.

    Places near/in Hopewell

    • Delaware River
    • Lake Hopatcong
    • Manasquan Reservoir

    Segment 3: How can I catch them?

    Rods to use

    • Medium power rod

    Best line

    • 30 lb braid
    • 12-15 lb fluorocarbon

    Best live bait

    • Worms
    • Cut bait

    Best rigs/lures

    • Buck tail jig
    • Popper 
    • Diamond jig
    • Spoon lure

    Segment 4: Why should I want to catch them?

    I think that striped Bass are absolutely worth your time and you should definitely consider them when picking your next trip for three main...

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    5 mins
  • Oh Carp!
    Dec 6 2022
     Oh Carp!Episode #6

    You are listening to What’s The Catch? the podcast with your host Andrew Rowan.

    In this episode of What’s The Catch? We’re gonna be talking about Carp :what they are, where to find them, how to catch them, and why you should want to catch them. 

    Segment 1: Species Background

    The Eurasian Carp or European Carp, also known as the common Carp, is freshwater fish native to lakes and rivers of Europe and Asia. They are not native to North America, but they have been introduced to waters here since the mid-1800’s as a heavily farmed fish. They can now be found in local ponds, rivers, and lakes. Two of the big places to find them can be the Mississippi River and the Great lakes. They are bottom feeders, meaning that they swim along the bottom of a body of water and feed what's on the bottom. They are large in size and have large scales, a large dorsal fin, and have two barbels (whiskers) on their upper lip. Their average size can range on average between 4-31 lbs. Adults can be between 16-31 inches long on average. The average lifespan for a common Carp can be up to 20 years. 

    Fun Facts

    • The history of farming common Carp can date it’s beginning all the way to Roman times
    • They are the 3rd most frequently introduced species worldwide
    • There was once a report of a Carp living for 47 years in captivity
    • The largest carp ever recorded was caught by Colin Smith at Etang La Saussaie Fishery, France in 2013. The carp clocked in at 100.5 lbs
    • China is the largest producer of carp, accounting for 70% of the worlds production of the fish

    Segment 2: Where can I find them?

    Like I mentioned earlier, now that Carp have been farmed and spread to almost every state and to every country, you can find them almost everywhere.

    Places near/in hopewell

    • Delaware River
    • Rosedale Lake
    • Curlis Lake
    • WallKill Lake
    • Lake Hopatcong

    Segment 3: How can I catch them?

    Carp are strong fish and you will need to have a strong rod and line to make sure they don’t break you off or break your rod. They feed more in darkness so going early in the morning or at night will be the most effective time to go fishing for them.

    Rods to use

    • 6 ½ to 7 ½ feet long medium-heavy action spinning rod

    Best line

    • 10-15 lb monofilament or braid

    Best live...

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    5 mins

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