Ice Fishing with Zach Merchant

Zach Merchant is part of a group of Garden State fishermen who spend two or three months each winter trekking out with sleds full of equipment and supplies across frozen bodies of water to take advantage of the chance to go ice fishing.

Full article at nj.com Special thanks to reporter Michael Warren for reaching out to us to get this interview and article done!

The serious, dedicated angler believes that fishing season doesn’t end when lakes and ponds freeze over. For guys like 25 year old Zach Merchant, it’s just beginning. Merchant and some friends spend a a day on Round Valley Reservoir and Furnace Lake catching bass, pickerel and perch. (Video by Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Zach Merchant with a nice size Tiger Muskie caught through the ice in a Northern NJ lake, January 2018

Another Potential NJ State Record American Eel Released

Long-time readers may remember back in August 2010 when our Russian friend Vasili caught a potential NJ State Record American Eel, but never had it officially measured and instead opted to take it home and eat it.

Well, it’s happened again…kinda. Zach Merchant was fishing last night at Round Valley and spotted a rather large eel swimming close to shore so he quickly baited up a four foot ultra-light rod laying around and cast out toward the serpent. As Zach tells it, the mighty beast broke off his 2lb flouro leader twice before he was able to land the fish…er…eel.

Zach Merchant holding 45inch American Eel
Zach Merchant holds a 45+ inch American Eel before releasing it back into Round Valley.

Now as a reminder, the current NJ State Record American Eel weighs 6lbs, 13 ounces, measures 41.75 inches and was also caught in Round Valley Reservoir. Zach’s eel measured 45+inches, no weight taken. The eel was squirming around too much and he didn’t have anything to put it in, so he let it go. Crazy.

#FunFact American Eel spawn in the Autumn in the Sargasso Sea. Visit the USGS site to learn more about the American Eel.

What crazy catches have you seen or been a part of? Share in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
-Tight Lines

Drone Footage – Round Valley Reservoir

EDITOR’S NOTE: I want to thank Lawrence for reaching out to us on our FB page and sharing the below Drone footage. Stay tuned for Spruce Run. -Robert

It was that 4:30 pm work day call when your buddy asks you to join him out on the boat for an evening of fishing out in Round Valley Reservoir. Being heavily involved in the film industry, I quickly ran home to pack up one of the my drones and a few other cameras. My brother joined us as we enjoyed the sunset out on the water and caught a few fish doing so. I hope you enjoy all the sights of Round Valley from above.

Be sure to check out my YouTube channel to see more drone sights and videos. – Lawrence Garafola

Channel Catfish Caught on Trolling Spoon

The biggest fish of the day from an impromptu fishing trip to Round Valley Reservoir with some of my close friends on Saturday September 16, 2017. We were trolling spoons for lake trout when this Channel Catfish hit at 80ft in 85ft of water, quite unexpected. It also ended up being one of my biggest fish out of Round Valley for the year so far!

NJ's Best Fishing Blog