NJ Fishing Report

[BassFishingMachine]

Well the cabin fever just got to be too much for me today, so I set out on an attempt to find some open water and cast a few. Know that 95% of my freshwater fishing is done on small local ponds/lakes, or local rivers. This being said, I went to check out a pond nearby that I caught crappie/sunnies in during january of last year, the pond was completey frozen over, and there were even kids walking on the ice out to the center of the lake, so to say the least it was pretty thick :'(.

Then I headed to another lake that I normally fish, and the entire lake was frozen, but this lake has a dam on it, and the water fall kept the small river below from freezing. The river splits into two as it goes around a small wooded island in the middle, and on one side there is a deep hole that drops to about 6 feet or so, figured if there was anything around in this area of the river, this is where it'd be. Well I played around with the fly rod using a small sinking fly in an attempt to catch some panfish, but no luck. The eyes on the fly rod kept freezing, and at times it was hard to strip the line through the eyes, because of the ice. At one point I couldn't even move the fly line what so ever. Other then that my hands were freezing, and there seemed to be no sign of life what so ever in this river.

Its funny because in the middle of spring you wouldn't be able to make a cast with a small fly and not hook up with a sunny or crappie. And all the small sunnies and guppies you see while walking through the river is amazing. Just amazes me how in the winter the life tends to magically disappear. All in all I got out of the house, and enjoyed being out on the waters edge, though a fish would have been a nice treat too ;D.

Next time I make an attempt at going out, I'll give you guys another report, but it probably won't be until one of my ponds defrosts, atleast enough for me to make a cast, until then, I'll keep the fishing gear indoors..

[bilgerat]

What part of Jersey are you from ?

I'm from Lindenwold in Camden County. I was out about two weeks ago messin' with my new rig. I didn't get anything either, but it was still nice to get out. This time last year I nailed an 18" pickeral on my ultra lite rig and a Yo-Zuri Pin Minnow. Been spending my time in the man cave getting ready for spring. I've been spotting some new lakes to check out - Malaga Lake and a couple down in Dennisville off of Route 47, plus one in Chatsworth.

One thing for sure, no one is going out this weekend around here.

[BassFishingMachine]

Union county over here. Yeah, I find the pickerel don't mind the cold water too much. But thank you for reminding me about picks, they slipped my mind for what ever reason. Once the ice melts a bit I'll be givin it another shot.

I find March to be the best time of the year to fish for pickerel, they're all over the place, and the bass are still pretty sluggish.

[SmokeRise1]

I hit the ice over the weekend for the first time in my life.  Did pretty well.  2 pickerel, 2 lmb and 2 perch.  Maybe try again on Sunday if it's not snowing too much.