• A fisherman may have set a new Louisiana state record after catching a 256-pound yellowfin tuna.
• The catch was made on a charter boat captained by Eddie Adams of Highlands, New Jersey.

Eddie Adams, a local charter boat captain from the Highlands, may have guided a fisherman to a new Louisiana state record yellowfin tuna after a member of his fishing charter, Jeffrey Tomaloff, landed a 256-pound yellowfin tuna on a Jan. 16 trip to the Gulf.

If the catch is certified, the fish would surpass the current record 251-pound yellowfin tuna set in 2012 by Elliot Sale who landed his near the West Delta Block oil rig, according to the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association records.

Adams told the Asbury Park Press that the paperwork is filed and they’re just waiting on the certification. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed that staff weighed the big fish but it’s the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association that keeps the records.

Adams runs Henry Smulewitz’s 39-foot Contender Down N Dirty. The boat, powered by triple Honda 350 outboard engines, runs charters here in the spring and fall out of Raritan Bay and Manasquan River. This winter the boat is fishing out of Cypress Cove Marina and Lodge in Venice, Louisiana as part of the Fish Venice Charters’ fleet.

On Jan. 16, Adams had a four-man charter on board and was chasing pogy balls – what they call menhaden pods in Louisiana – about 12 to 15 miles off the coast. In one of the thick clusters of bait, Tomaloff, a Floridian, hooked the big bruiser of a yellowfin on a clear popper. Tomaloff fought it on a 8-foot Jack’s Custom spinning outfit spooled with 80-pound hollow core braided line. Adams said from the hook up to gaff, it took Tomaloff 30 minutes to wrestle in the yellowfin tuna. On the boat was also Mike O’Sullivan from Boston, Mike Le from Louisiana and Andy Brown from Florida.

Lake Hopatcong Ice Contest

The frigid air of late has created a nice layer of ice on the state’s largest freshwater body, Lake Hopatcong. Laurie Murphy at Dows Boat Rentals on Nolans Point Road said in the shallows around the coves the lake has 5 to 7 inches of ice on it. Out in the main lake, she said the ice cover is 4 to 7 inches. Next week, the forecast calls for the temperature to drop down to as low as 5 degrees overnight on Thursday, while daytime temps will be in the teens for most of the week. That has the potential to keep the lake locked up in ice for a while. 

As such, the Knee Deep Club will hold its first ice fishing contest on Feb. 1 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are cash prizes for the three heaviest fish in each category. Entry fee is $20 for club members and $25 for everyone else. Anglers can sign up at Dows or Lake End Marina. Both locations will also serve as official weigh stations. As far as the catch goes, Murphy said anglers are picking away at perch and pickerel. There have been some bass around the state park and a couple walleye out in the deeper parts of the main lake. 

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him at dradel@gannettnj.com

BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry has signed a state of emergency for the Louisiana ahead of the upcoming winter storm, which he and other state leaders have called a “dangerous event,” particularly for the northern part of Louisiana. The northern parishes could be facing what State Climatologist Jay Grymes deemed a “triple whammy,” of ice, snow and bitter cold air.

The governor said while this time last year, Louisiana got to enjoy a snow storm, the ice storm predicted over this weekend will likely be far from enjoyable.

Landry signed the state of emergency just minutes before stepping onstage on Jan. 22nd to update the state on what to expect and how best to prepare.

“This state of emergency allows for direct state assistance to support operational measures at the parish level to help protect life, safety, and welfare of our citizens. Additionally, this declaration allows the state to request a waiver for commercial motor carriers and drivers assisting with emergencies to ensure that fuel deliveries or delivered quickly to Louisiana to prevent shortages,” he explained. Because of the possibility of north Louisiana seeing effects and shortages sooner than later, Landry wanted to get the declaration out as soon as possible.

READ MORE Winter storm watch in Baton Rouge starting Friday morning

GOHSEP and the National Guard are activated and prepared, he added, with the Guard armed with generators, water bottles and ready-to-eat meals, and high-water vehicles to help in accessing citizens up north. FEMA has also provided additional assets and necessities, Landry said.

Jay Grymes: Timing and what we can expect

“I urge everyone listening and watching to begin to plan ahead. You want to check on your neighbors, especially if you have elderly neighbors who may need help in preparing as well,” the governor said.

Grymes said that winter storm impacts begin in the northwest on Friday night, rolling through the southeast into Saturday and Sunday.

“Saturday is going to be a statewide mess whether it’s raining or not. In North Louisiana, some of that rain will turn into snow so there could be snow on top of ice. That snow will help keep that ice intact, making it a very dangerous situation,” Gymes said. The snow will likely remain north of Alexandria.

Areas along the I-10, I-12 and 190 corridor will likely avoid any significant icing concerns, Grymes said. The central to northern parishes will receive the worst of the ice potential.

For those along the I-20 corridor, there could be as much as half an inch or more of ice. “Icing of that magnitude is clearly going to create some significant problems,” he explained. For north Louisiana, the rain that follows the ice will likely turn into snow, meaning that northern parishes could have ice and snow layered, allowing the ice to stick around longer.

Temperatures could be below or at freezing for nearly 70 hours in the north part of the state; that’s three days.

The cold air won’t arrive in south Louisiana until after the rain happens, according to Grymes. The coldest of the air doesn’t arrive until early next week, meaning Monday and Tuesday, and that’s when the area will most likely experience hard freezes.

READ MORE What to know about your plants after the cold weather & snow

Preparing now for the winter storm

Gov. Landry advised residents to start preparing today, and to remember the necessities.

“Remember the four P’s: people, pets, plants and pipes. It’s really easy. People, pets, plants and pipes. Check on your neighbors, protect your property, make sure that you have good necessities like food, adequate water, medication and heat,” he advised.

Because of the potential for ice on power lines, he added that people should prepare for the possibility of extended power outages, as well. With the bitter cold air and possibility of losing electricity, the governor is urging everyone to stay indoors and avoid driving on the roads once ice is out.

“Ice on the road is not only dangerous, but it’s deadly too,” said Landry.

Grymes advised hunters that “this is not the time to get going out,” especially with temperatures dropping into the teens in some parishes.

DOTD and other agencies are already preparing for de-icing treatments and placing materials in areas that will likely be hit the hardest. This includes 10 million pounds of salt and 200,000 gallons of brining materials.

Pre-treating bridges, overpasses and other elevated roadways is in progress.

DOTD has also rented extra machinery to help in advance of the storm’s entrance. DOTD’s Traffic Management Center is activating 24-hour shifts to staff the Emergency Operation Center and will also activate 24-hour shifts for the motorist assistance patrol.

Gov. Landry iterated that the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) will have staff in place 24/7 with the Child Protection Hotline fully operational. In addition, the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be open.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal office reminds everyone to safely heat your home and be cautious of fire hazards in this bitter cold. There have been 10 fire-related deaths so far this year, according to Bryan Adams reported.

Some tips to consider in the cold weather:

• Place space heaters 3-5 feet from bedding
• Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets.
• Never leave space heaters or candles unattended. Put out fireplace fires at night.
• Have working smoke alarms and CO detectors.

Staying weather-aware and informed

There is the potential for power outages due to icy conditions. Staying aware of changing conditions and staying indoors during the dangerous cold is something Gov. Landry and other officials are stressing at this time.

“This is why we encourage folks to stay indoors and to prepare for power outages that could last for several days. In that February 2021 event, some folks in North Louisiana were without power for almost two weeks,” Landry said.

The governor repeatedly urged people to stay off the roads once the weather starts to deteriorate, not only for your own safety but the safety of first responders. “Stay off the roads. Once you have checked on your plants, your pipes, your people and your pets, get comfortable.”

“Drivers should avoid being on the roadway, as the governor mentioned, especially in hazardous conditions where travel is not absolutely necessary. If travel is absolutely necessary, please look out for our crews as well as any emergency support crews across the state,” said DOTD’s director at Thursday’s conference.

To stay informed of road conditions and weather news, residents can visit 511la.org, dial 511, visit GOHSEP’s Get a Game Plan site, or visit DOTD’s social media (on Facebook, Instagram and X).

“I beg you, please take this serious. We want you to stay informed. We want you to stay prepared.”

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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Officials are urging safety and preparation this weekend as Louisiana braces for winter weather expected to bring freezing temperatures and potential ice accumulation.

Experts say the major impacts will be in the northern half of the state, but residents statewide should prepare now for what’s ahead.

“Certainly, keep track of the weather,” said Jay Grymes, Louisiana state climatologist.

Freezing temperatures and ice threat

Temperatures are set to drop to near and below freezing in the coming days. Experts warn about the potential for freezing rain and ice accumulation across some parts of Louisiana.

“The question we still have right now is just how far south will the winter weather get, particularly the icing. Because icing of all the elements, icing is the most dangerous,” Grymes said.

The number one threat for the capital region is the cold into next week, when multiple problems will start to emerge.

“The real story here is, be prepared for the possibility of a little bit of icing. Even if we say it’s less than 50-50 chance, it’s still possible. And that could be a problem Sunday evening,” Grymes said.

Preparation recommendations

Many residents are buying firewood to stay warm during frigid temperatures.

“I think that people are getting a little anxious with the cold weather coming, and they want to prepare. And so I think that they’re getting firewood that way. They make sure, you know, if they lose electricity or anything like that, that they have some way to keep their house warm,” said Wade Bailey, owner of WB Lawn and Landscape.

Grymes says before temperatures drop, residents should wrap their pipes over the next few days and be mindful of space heaters and portable generators.

Experts say to not leave space heaters on while sleeping or when not around to monitor them. For generators, make sure they are far enough away from your home to avoid carbon monoxide fumes from getting inside.

“Do those things wisely, and we should be okay,” Grymes said.

“I think it’s very important to prep, and we’ll see if it happens. But, you know, it’s better to be prepared than not be,” Bailey said.

Tomorrow, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will hold a news conference ahead of the winter weather to urge folks around Louisiana to stay alert.

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