Frank Hubert Jr.’s passion for bowfin fishing has led to a potential New Jersey state record after catching a 12-pound, 10-ounce specimen from Mantua Creek. The catch is currently awaiting official confirmation as the state record for the species.
Hubert, 55, a Wilmington native, has long been captivated by the prehistoric fish, which he considers North America’s most underrated game species. Known for their bony mouths, sharp teeth, and relentless fight, bowfin are a challenge for even the most experienced anglers.
This isn’t the first time Hubert has landed a potential record-breaking bowfin. Several years ago, he caught a 13-pound, 12-ounce bowfin but released it, unaware he could certify the catch without killing the fish. Now armed with that knowledge, he has been diligently prepared for another opportunity, always carrying a large cooler to transport potential record-breakers for official weighing.
On a solo kayak trip in Mantua Creek earlier this week, Hubert found ideal conditions in a warm, shallow slough. Using a subsurface lure designed by his nephew, he hooked into what he immediately recognized as a monster fish.
“I knew it was big,” Hubert said. “Landing it solo was hectic, but once I got it in the net, I thought, ‘This could be the one.’”
After securing the fish, Hubert paddled back to shore and began the certification process with New Jersey Fish & Wildlife. He had the bowfin weighed at Blackwater Sports Center, where it tipped the certified scale at 12 pounds, 10 ounces—surpassing the current state record of 11 pounds, 8.5 ounces set in 2017.
The species, often nicknamed mudfish or choupique, is considered a “living fossil” due to its evolutionary history dating back millions of years. Found in swampy habitats like Mantua Creek, bowfin are rarely encountered by anglers and are often mistaken for invasive northern snakeheads. This confusion has contributed to their undeserved reputation as a “trash fish.”
Despite their reputation, Hubert sees the bowfin as a top predator and exciting quarry. He frequently fishes for them throughout the warmer months and relishes the challenge they present, given their hard mouths and powerful resistance.
“Even this one, when I landed it, the hook just fell out. They have the hardest mouths of any fish species—it’s all bone,” Hubert said.
The potential record fish has drawn attention not only for its size but for Hubert’s dedication to bowfin fishing. A frequent angler in the Mid-Atlantic, Hubert has also made a name for himself targeting snakeheads, another formidable predator. While New Jersey does not currently recognize snakehead records, Hubert is eager to pursue one if the opportunity arises.
“I’d love to see New Jersey acknowledge snakeheads, but for now, they’re still at war with them,” he said.
The bowfin world record, set in South Carolina’s Forest Lake in 1980, stands at a staggering 21 pounds, 8 ounces—a mark Hubert acknowledges is in a league of its own.
For now, he’s content with his recent achievement. If confirmed, his 12-pound, 10-ounce bowfin will secure its place in New Jersey’s record books and reaffirm his status as one of the region’s most dedicated bowfin anglers.
Image/Source: inquirer
