USA Member Lands World Record Bass
By Len Shindel, www.ibew.org
Greg Myerson’s cell phone is buzzing with calls from all over the world. His e-mail box is full. TV stations and newspaper reporters are peppering him with questions. Endorsement offers are coming in. The New Haven, Conn., IBEW Local 90 journeyman wireman and Union Sportsmen’s Alliance member won accolades before as an all-state high school and college football player. But landing the world-record 81.8-pound striped bass on August 4 is a whole different game.
While there was bound to be controversy surrounding a potential new record, it was put to rest when the International Game Fish Association officially approved Myerson’s bass as the new All Tackle World Record on Oct. 19.
Myerson, who’s currently out of work, has been handling rods and reels since he was 12, later buying his first boat with proceeds from trapping muskrats. He had plenty of notable catches before his 20-minute struggle with the 54-inch trophy during a slack tide in Long Island Sound off Westbrook, Conn.
“You fish long enough and, like anything else, you get good at it,” Myerson said. “I have learned about the tides, the moon and the best days to fish. The big ones don’t like to fight tides and only feed for a short time.”
After snagging the bass using a live eel on a three-way swivel rig, the 6’4”, 275-pound former linebacker fought as the fish took off on a strong run dragging One More Drift, his 18-foot boat. After falling and bruising his rib, Myerson reeled the fish closer. His net got caught in the boat’s swimming platform. Myerson and his fishing buddy freed the net and landed the fish.
Myerson told Mama Mia Fishing he knew he had something special on his line. “I noticed the line rising, and I told my buddy, ‘Watch this, the fish is going to break the surface.’ He porpoised out of the water, and I got my first look at him. Oh, man, I knew I had something special then. It’s only the big stripers that will jump like that. I was just hoping the hook was stuck good.”
Myerson, who has spent time in fresh water and salt water fishing hot-spots all over the world, told the Cheshire Patch, “Crashing the surface, [the fish’s] dorsal fin was so big it looked like Batman’s cape.”
Local 90 Business Manager Frank Halloran is not surprised at Myerson’s success and newfound celebrity. “When Greg puts his mind to something, it gets done,” he said.
After reading an online story about the catch, one of Myerson’s long-time friends blogged, “I’ve fished with Greg for over 25 years. He never ceases to amaze me with the fish he pulls up, whether it be stripers or trout. He’s a natural. Then there’s the trophy deer. He once shot and killed a monster buck with a homemade arrow made from an Indian arrowhead he found and homemade shaft. The guy is an amazing sportsman! Congrats Greg, and it doesn’t surprise me one bit.”
The New York Post reports that a nearby bait and tackle shop owner said, in the last year alone, Myerson has caught three fish weighing more than 60 pounds, including a 71-pounder he caught and released.
Myerson and some family members are reviewing prospective endorsements. Myerson is considering starting a company that sells T-shirts, caps, fishing rods and other equipment online. For now, the electrician plans to keep fishing and, hopefully, return to work with his tools. When asked whether he was considering running a professional charter service, Myerson said, “I want to fish when I’m out there. [If I’m working], I’d rather be running conduit.”
