Hopatcong with child....

[BIGRED2]

Okay, so I am headed to Lake Hopatcong at 5:00 am tomorrow with my 10 year old daughter who, needless to say, is a real trooper. Going to rent a motor boat at Dow's. Personally, I would love to catch a muskie, but more importantly, I want my daughter to catch fish! If we are out as early as 5:00 am, is there anything specifically I should target that early in the morning, and...if there is any advice that will guarantee my daughter fish, other than sunnies (bluegill), I would greatly appreciate it! Short notice, but any advice or help will be appreciated!! PM if need be!! Help!!:) :)

[dfish28]

Get some live bait , you will need an aerator and to change water frequently w the heat, herring would be good but it's a lil hot.
Get out fast and start w some topwater chuggers, buzz baits , and the larger style suspending or sinking rapalas f5 or larger for biggins, get big livies and some fatheads for fallbacks if nothin is Workin out, try for the early morn feast and go from there, don't go nuts w live bait you can always stop back in,shiners are most likely the way to go, fish into the wind direction, meaning head toward the wind to find some cooler pockets. Sorry I don't have better info but it's been a while since I've been there, I'll try to help....

[AndyS]

Last time I went there this time of year I almost got split in half by a 26ft. SeaRay doing 60 mph !!!!!
Probably the last place I would take my kids, maybe in a 30ft. boat.

[BIGRED2]

Thanks Andy for what amounts to being useless info. I am going out. I will take head of 26' Sea Rays..

[AndyS]

Just trying to help.

[FASTEDDIE29]

If you can't fish under pressure than your not much of a fisherman. Stay right in Great Cove, you,ll be fine!!!

[jimmythegreek]

Go over by the state park early in the AM if your fishing w live bait. Theres a point under water (structure) that comes in off the shore, u can tell just by looking. A egg sinker fish finder rig works great, just drift around that area 10 ft down and be ready for a thump. Dont motor thru there or u will spook em, just drift it. shiners work just as well, spinnerbaits too just count them down 2-3 seconds reel steady and slow

[thefishermanmechanic]

stick to the coves and structures bridges etc there is allways life around these! But do be careful in open water the bigger boats and skiers as well as jetskiers will challange your patience.

[Sidewinder]

Fish live shiners in front of the no wake buoys in great cove and you will catch pickerel, bass, crappy... Maybe and eye (Walleye)

The no wake buoys are to the left when you leave dow's Trust me you don't want to be anywhere near the main lake, you go out there past 8am and you are asking for trouble.

I run a bass boat and get trashed on weekends there and i fish it often.

Great Cove where you will be will offer you plenty of different fish and you will fish comfortably and safely. ;)

Catch them up! :)