Delaware River Flatheads 8/2

[FASTEDDIE29]

Left work early and headed down to the BIG RIVER. Stopped off at the Musky to catch some fresh bait, managed to put 7-8 gills in the bucket along with 1 brookie and 1 bow. There was a ton of trout in this hole, it looked like opening day. Hit the spot around 6 pm or so, nobody there, AWESOME. Phil and Tom made there way down to the river around 730 or so. Tom caught a 2-3 LB Channel Cat on a bluegill or maybe he was using a Rock bass at that time not sure. Anyway that would be his only catch of the night. Phil had a good night landing a 7 inch Striper on chicken livers and a 10 inch Channel Cat on worms. Kinda wanted to use that little Channel Cat for bait but we let em live. I caught 2 Flatheads last night, both on fresh LIVE Bluegills. First fish weighed in at 5 1/4 lbs, second fish weighed in at 6 1/4 lbs. The action was good but no where near as many run offs as there were on Sunday night. But this time everybody caught a fish or 2. Good times as always and thanx again fellas for coming out. The fishing is going to EXPLODE after this full moon passes kids, especially in big river systems, get ready. GOOD TIMES, TIGHT LINES!!!:D

[shucker]

Nice,been busy at work and home but i got a hall pass coming up.Did ya use dem trout for bait;)

[FASTEDDIE29]

Nice,been busy at work and home but i got a hall pass coming up.Did ya use dem trout for bait;)
Shucker I would never use our state stocked TROUT for bait, that is against the law!!!

[maddhatterr]

How do those flatheads cook up........How far north on the river are you fishing?:)

[maddhatterr]

Oh.....and nice fish too:cool: ....................

[FASTEDDIE29]

How do those flatheads cook up........How far north on the river are you fishing?:)
They cook up great and are the best tasting catfish I ever ate. We are fishing south of Phillipsburg.

[AndyS]

Nice CATFIZZZ !!!!

[flatcreek]

Does it say somewhere you can't use trout for bait. I thought if it was over 9 inches you could keep it and do what you want with it as long as it wasn't wasted. Useing a smaller fish to catch a bigger one isn't wasting it, heck that's the american way.

[FASTEDDIE29]

This F&G dude used to come to Echo Lake to hang out and check licenses, he lives in Rockaway and I have talked to him quite a few times but have not seen him in about a year. He said theres nothing wrong with using trout for bait or any other fish for that matter as long as they are of legal size. Obviously if you buy the trout from the hatchery you need to have the receipt on you. Using small fish to catch BIG fish is mother natures doing. The nature of the beast. Im not going to say I used the trout for bait on here, too many people are sensitive. TIGHT LINES!!!

[NorthJerzyG]

It only makes sense, parle a 1/2# of delicious trout into 5# of delicious kitty, lol. Nice job man, some nice lookin p#$$y cats u got there..........

[Wilson]

This F&G dude used to come to Echo Lake to hang out and check licenses, he lives in Rockaway and I have talked to him quite a few times but have not seen him in about a year. He said theres nothing wrong with using trout for bait or any other fish for that matter as long as they are of legal size. Obviously if you buy the trout from the hatchery you need to have the receipt on you. Using small fish to catch BIG fish is mother natures doing. The nature of the beast. Im not going to say I used the trout for bait on here, too many people are sensitive. TIGHT LINES!!!
I scoured the fish regulations site and no where does it indicate that Trout cannot be used as bait.
And there is NO size limit on Trout in the Delaware River. The bag limit is 5, and the open season is April 14 at 8 a.m.– Oct. 15
So.....

[FASTEDDIE29]

I scoured the fish regulations site and no where does it indicate that Trout cannot be used as bait.
And there is NO size limit on Trout in the Delaware River. The bag limit is 5, and the open season is April 14 at 8 a.m.– Oct. 15
So.....
Good info, I skimmed through the book yesterday as well. Trout, gotta love em.

[Wilson]

Good info, I skimmed through the book yesterday as well. Trout, gotta love em.
For me personally I only like them smoked, otherwise I like a nice 5 lb. Brown swimming away after I just released it:)

[FASTEDDIE29]

For me personally I only like them smoked, otherwise I like a nice 5 lb. Brown swimming away after I just released it:)
Smoked trout AWESOME and you can keep it forever. Watching that lil 5 lber swim away, WOW, now thats just beautiful! :rolleyes:

[FASTEDDIE29]

Ok fellas, next time going out is probably going to be friday night. Im going to get there pretty early to secure a spot. I want to use some eels for bait so anybody who wants to join bring some live eels. Come on down and get your river monster fix. PM me or give me a call, lets get em!!! TIGHT LINES!!!:D

[JIMMY L]

Sounds like fun but be aware these flatheads are an invasive species and eaten or not should not be returned to the river alive.

[Wilson]

I scoured the fish regulations site and no where does it indicate that Trout cannot be used as bait.
And there is NO size limit on Trout in the Delaware River. The bag limit is 5, and the open season is April 14 at 8 a.m.– Oct. 15
So.....
I emailed a person in the DEP and this is the answer I received back, in record time too I might add.:)

"A NJ freshwater fishing license, with a trout stamp, entitles you to keep the daily creel & size limit of trout. Then, you can do whatever you want with them, …..………..including live lining them. If you possess more trout than the legal limit, and/or, ones that are less than the legal size, you better have a receipt to prove that you purchased them.
Anglers @ the shore, catch their freshwater limit of trout, & live line them in the salt for stripers.

Ditto for trout from Musconetcong River, D & R Canal as bait in the Del. River"


So Trout as bait is ok :p

[FASTEDDIE29]

Sounds like fun but be aware these flatheads are an invasive species and eaten or not should not be returned to the river alive.
All fish have been skinned, filleted and eaten. Very tasty fish. Good fighting fish as well.