This close to PB pike (pic)

[msgdan]

First of all, lip readers be aware that this may be a graphic picture!

Hit the river this morning for a couple of frustrating hours. I had at least 6 solid strikes without a hook up. WTF !!! It seemed like every pike would take a huge strike at the spinner bait and never really commit to it.

Then I finally hooked up with a monster! This fight was the longest ever for me with a pike. There was at least 3 times I had it near the kayak when it took a run accross the river and one time almost spooled me.

After a ten minute battle, I had him close to the kayak and tried to grab it behind the head, and there was no way my hands would reach around with one hand to land it. I tried to grab the spinner bait and lift it (which I knew was going to be a mistake) but as I grabbed the spinner bait, I saw that after the long fight, the hook was just holding on to a small piece of skin, in the mouth.

Needless to say, as I went to lift the pike, the hook came out and the fish was free before a good picture.

I am estimating this fish at close to 46 inches and about 25 lbs. A real river monster!

Here are a couple of pictures. The first one is when I had it to the kayak for the third time and it took a nasty run accross the river, with me trying to hold on.

The second picture is how close I came to a good picture of my PB. Only about 2/3rds of the fish is pictured in the water. You can see me holding the spinner bait that was in his mouth about 2 seconds before the picture was taken.

Happy fathers day to all !!!!

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/msgdan/IMGP0477.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/msgdan/IMGP0478-1.jpg

Danny V

[NorthJerzyG]

Sorry for your loss! The look on your face says it all.

Look at at it this way, win or lose, at least you had the battle........

[Gatto1227]

Ya thats a tough one. And yes that is a big fish. Had to be fun in the kayak!

[Tony Cav]

Wow....great photo non-the-less. Definitely get a solid idea of the size of the fish.

A full size shot, holding the fish would be better but...oh well.

You are defiantly keeping us all up to date on this great fishery. (even though pike were introduced to jersey waters more than 40 years ago).

Best of luck in all of your attempts to break the state record.

[AndyS]

Ya know where he lives now, next time. It looks like a true beast !!

[iceehot6766]

Nice one!....That was some beast of a fish.....You are the Pike-King!!....You'll get her again I'm sure

[flyboy1]

Bro, why dont you have a net in the YAK for situations such as these????? I never boat with out a net..... especially when lookin for Pike...

[msgdan]

Bro, why dont you have a net in the YAK for situations such as these????? I never boat with out a net..... especially when lookin for Pike...

Good point! I think next time I will take one. I never really had a problem landing the fish, but holding one for a picture is always an adventure.

Just a thought here.......this "pike" fought like none that I have ever caught. With 3 straight out runs across the river, mouth open head shakes at the kayak and the longest fight ever. When I had the fish at the kayak, I thought that this fish was lighter in color than any pike I have landed.

I am wondering now if this was a Passaic River muskie???????

It makes me even more upset about not getting a picture

Any thoughts???

Danny V

[Skunk City]

Good point! I think next time I will take one. I never really had a problem landing the fish, but holding one for a picture is always an adventure.

Just a thought here.......this "pike" fought like none that I have ever caught. With 3 straight out runs across the river, mouth open head shakes at the kayak and the longest fight ever. When I had the fish at the kayak, I thought that this fish was lighter in color than any pike I have landed.

I am wondering now if this was a Passaic River muskie???????

It makes me even more upset about not getting a picture

Any thoughts???

Danny V

:eek:

Great fish dan. The look on your face is priceless!

[bunker dunker]

awsome,looks like ya got the best part of him.what more could you ask for,agreat fight and release.;)

[flyboy1]

Good point! I think next time I will take one. I never really had a problem landing the fish, but holding one for a picture is always an adventure.

Just a thought here.......this "pike" fought like none that I have ever caught. With 3 straight out runs across the river, mouth open head shakes at the kayak and the longest fight ever. When I had the fish at the kayak, I thought that this fish was lighter in color than any pike I have landed.

I am wondering now if this was a Passaic River muskie???????

It makes me even more upset about not getting a picture

Any thoughts???

Danny V

Bro, I wouldnt at all be suprised if it was Musky... remember that the Passaic connects to hundreds of different Tribs that connect other major rivers throughout NJ and we always have major flooding every year where now all these different waterways get connected for short amounts of time... I have talked to many people that claim they have caught walleye in certain parts of the Passaic.... Nothing suprises me in that river....

Awesome Awesome catch... well, almost catch :rolleyes:

PS.. I gotta find out the area your hitting for those Giant Pike...

[Skunk City]

Bro, I wouldnt at all be suprised if it was Musky... remember that the Passaic connects to hundreds of different Tribs that connect other major rivers throughout NJ and we always have major flooding every year where now all these different waterways get connected for short amounts of time... I have talked to many people that claim they have caught walleye in certain parts of the Passaic.... Nothing suprises me in that river....

Awesome Awesome catch... well, almost catch :rolleyes:

PS.. I gotta find out the area your hitting for those Giant Pike...

This. Have seen pictures of a buddy who landed one last fall on the river. The Passaic never ceases to amaze me.

[antgogz]

It would not surprise me if it was a musky dan. I know a guy who caught two muskies one day that were only 24" inches and they were caught in little falls very close to the route 46 bridge! You may get him again though. Earlier this spring I had a nice pike snap my line and I went back four days later and hooked him again and my old hook was in his mouth. Keep trying pal your bound to get him again.

[FASTEDDIE29]

You will be the next to have your name on the state record list for Pike! I guarantee it!!! Great pics even if you didn't get em on the yak...