Lake Hopatcong

[thefishermanmechanic]

Got a late start at around 8:30, it's hard coming off of midnights. Started trolling the shallows with an original rapala and picked up a nice pickerel about 2lbs. Made my way to Dows to pick up some bait, talked about the wipers and was told "Exactally" where to go as his brother got 15 yesterday! So I'm setting up one high one low when the strike guard pops on the low but nothing there ok reset and again pop, nothing there, hmm maybe I'll adjust the tension a little more, when I hear a strange but familiar sound. I turn around and the high rod is bent in half and the drag is Screaming! I knew it was not a snag especially in water this deep, some how the strike guard popped and the bail closed, this can only happen with a violent strike! So it's game on, this fish peels off about 30yards of line, I have caught some Muskie before and some 4-5# smallies but this is different! After about 10min and some catch up with the motor I netted a node 8# hybrid ! If you haven't fished for these I highly recommend it as these fish fight like no other fresh water fish that I know of! I'll try to upload a pic later.

[AndyS]

Nice report, how was the boat traffic ?

[Skunk City]

Fighting a Hybrid is freshwater pandemonium. I landed a 7lb'er last month that made some serious runs. One of my favorite fish to target, especially in the pitch black. Definetly get a picture up!

[steverom]

i just started fishing from my boat and i was on lake hopatcong monday night and got skunked!!! Would love any help i can get from you guys as i read everyone is catching fish and i find it very hard to catch from my boat. I always catch fish from land but nothing from my boat!!! I was thinking of going friday morning to try again,any help from my brothers?
TIGHT LINES TO ALL

[FASTEDDIE29]

Gotta love the CRAZY HYBRIDS, good stuff buddy!!!

[thefishermanmechanic]

Nice report, how was the boat traffic ?
Hardly any? nice day to fish not too sunny and no jetskiers!

[thefishermanmechanic]

i just started fishing from my boat and i was on lake hopatcong monday night and got skunked!!! Would love any help i can get from you guys as i read everyone is catching fish and i find it very hard to catch from my boat. I always catch fish from land but nothing from my boat!!! I was thinking of going friday morning to try again,any help from my brothers?
TIGHT LINES TO ALL
You have to put your time in Steve ,I cant imagine fishing the lake at night too dangerous for me but if you are comfortable go for it!

[thefishermanmechanic]

You have to put your time in Steve ,I cant imagine fishing the lake at night too dangerous for me but if you are comfortable go for it!
It seems easier to catch these than putting up a photo of the ones you catch!

[thefishermanmechanic]

Got a late start at around 8:30, it's hard coming off of midnights. Started trolling the shallows with an original rapala and picked up a nice pickerel about 2lbs. Made my way to Dows to pick up some bait, talked about the wipers and was told "Exactally" where to go as his brother got 15 yesterday! So I'm setting up one high one low when the strike guard pops on the low but nothing there ok reset and again pop, nothing there, hmm maybe I'll adjust the tension a little more, when I hear a strange but familiar sound. I turn around and the high rod is bent in half and the drag is Screaming! I knew it was not a snag especially in water this deep, some how the strike guard popped and the bail closed, this can only happen with a violent strike! So it's game on, this fish peels off about 30yards of line, I have caught some Muskie before and some 4-5# smallies but this is different! After about 10min and some catch up with the motor I netted a node 8# hybrid ! If you haven't fished for these I highly recommend it as these fish fight like no other fresh water fish that I know of! I'll try to upload a pic later.
pic

[thefishermanmechanic]

pic
pic

[DoubleG]

Nice Striper!