New Jersey Fishing Reports and Info

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brendanc
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Joined: Thu May 03, 2001 4:00 pm

New Jersey Fishing Reports and Info

Post by brendanc »

New Jersey BAss Fishing Information and Reports:

New Jersey Bass Fishing Info and Reports

LARGEMOUTH BASS:

General Facts
Largemouth bass are the most sought after freshwater fish nationwide. Popularized by numerous fishing shows and professional fishing organizations, the largemouth has gained a loyal following from bass fishing enthusiasts and beginning anglers alike. Historically, New Jersey does not have the reputation for producing world class trophies. However, our overlooked fisheries are some of the best around. The current New Jersey State Record largemouth is 10 lb. 14 oz., caught in Menantico Sand Pond (pdf, 370kb) in 1980. Recent reports indicate that anglers have come close to beating this long-standing record.

Where
New Jersey has a wide variety of excellent habitat for largemouth bass including deep clear lakes, shallow stained lakes, lakes with aquatic vegetation, tidal freshwater rivers, and small park ponds. Most likely there is a great bass lake very close to you. Lakes with excellent largemouth bass populations include Union Lake (pdf, 430kb), Assunpink Lake, Manasquan Reservoir, Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, Monksville Reservoir, Delaware Lake (pdf, 500kb) and Splitrock Reservoir (pdf, 300kb).

When
Rising water temperatures in the early spring bring largemouth out of the deep wintering areas and onto the shallow flats of bays in close proximity to deep water. The metabolism of the fish is gradually increasing making them more likely to bite. Largemouth will remain in these areas throughout the spring and through early summer. Elevated surface water temperatures associated with mid-summer usually move fish slightly deeper in the lakes seeking cooler water temperatures. Bass will now be found relating to deeper aquatic vegetation, creek channels, and in some lakes under boat docks.

Dropping water temperatures in late September and October create another fabulous time of year. Bass begin to feed heavily in preparation for the upcoming winter. Fish will school heavily in the open areas of the lake chasing forage fish. Additionally, many fish will be found shallow actively feeding. Winter can be another great time to catch bass, either ice fishing or even if no ice is present.

How
The great thing about largemouth bass is that they are willing to bite a variety of baits and lures throughout the year. Early spring bass can be caught with reaction type bait such as lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits. When water temperatures rise to about 50 degrees, lures such as jigs and spinnerbaits are extremely effective. Mid to late spring bass can be caught with plastic worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater lures.

Summer bass can't pass up a plastic worm or a topwater lure such as a chugger or a buzzbait. Fall bass that are actively chasing forage fish will most likely hit a spinnerbait or crankbait. Winter bass require patience, so a slow moving jig or suspending jerkbait can be effective. Keep in mind that anglers do not have to limit themselves to artificial lures.

At times, especially during the cold winter months, live bait can be the difference between a day of fishing and a day of catching. A small minnow fished on a leadhead jig can produce great catches during the winter. Live shiners fished with a float during the spring and summer can produce some giants.

SMALLMOUTH BASS:

General Facts
Smallmouth, like their largemouth cousin, can produce heart pounding strikes and aerial acrobatics. The smallmouth bass is arguably one of the nation's most beloved species primarily due to the way they explode on a topwater lure. Where present in lakes, smallmouth bass can be found relating to weedlines, current breaks, points and rocky humps.

Where
Smallmouth bass are widely distributed in the northern part of New Jersey in lakes such as Round Valley Reservoir, Oak Ridge Reservoir, Monksville Reservoir, Swartswood Lake, Merrill Creek Reservoir, the Upper Delaware River and the South Branch Raritan River. In the central region smallmouth bass can be found in Manasquan Reservoir. Smallmouth bass fishing is limited in South Jersey to Union Lake (pdf, 430kb).

This species can be targeted around aquatic vegetation, rocky humps, points, sandy flats, and ledges. In rivers smallmouth can be found around aquatic vegetation and near current breaks created by rocks, fallen trees, or bridge abutments. This species also has a greater tendency than the largemouth to suspend in open water areas of lakes feeding on the predominant fish, mainly alewife where present.

When
There really is no bad time to fish for smallmouth bass, however winter is probably the most difficult time to catch this species. The best time is spring through fall, when smallmouth are most active. Early morning and low light conditions are typically considered the most favorable, however bright sunny days can also produce outstanding smallmouth catches. Fall is probably the best time of the year when smallmouth begin to school up and feed heavily before winter. Referred to as "wolf packs", these monster schools of smallmouth will devour anything in their path.

How
Want to know how to catch this fish? Spring and early summer smallmouth can be found roaming the shallows. Lures such as crawfish imitators including tubes and jigs are sure bets. Another lure to use is soft plastic stickbait, made by many manufacturers, but the most famous is the Senko. Work this lure around shallow vegetation, rocks, and course gravel. Fast moving baits such as spinnerbaits, topwater lures, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits always catch the attention of smallmouth from spring through fall.


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Brendan C.
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