NORTH BRANFORD, CT – The striped bass world record of 78.8 pounds that’s stood for 29 years could fall like a bucket of chum dumped overboard if the mammoth 81.88 pound fish caught by Greg Myerson in Long Island Sound is certified by the International Game Fish Association.

Photo courtesy of Kierran Broatch - On the Water Magazine

According to Onthewater.com, Myerson was participating in an event called the Striper Cup (which he won in 2010) the evening of August 4th when he hooked the beast, starting a 20 minute fight to land the fish.  The angler used a 6 1/2 foot St. Croix tuna rod, a Quantum Cabo reel lined with 50-pound braided line attached to 60-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a gold 6/0 octopus hook. His bait? Live eels more than a foot long.

After catching the 54-inch fish, Meyerson waited 12 hours before bringing the bass to Jack’s Shoreline Bait and Tackle to have the fish weighed on a certified digital scale.

Meyerson is no stranger to large striped bass. The angler has 68-, 57-, and 47-pounders to his credit…and now perhaps, a new world record.

For an entire account of Myerson’s tale and more images of the fish , please check out the report from Onthewater.com.