Pike are still active

[msgdan]

After a few hours in Raritan Bay this morning with a typical summer day with 10 small blues, 5 short fluke and a couple sea robins, I hit the river at about 4 PM. I had great action for 2 hours, with 7 landed and at least that many hook-ups, that got off. Here is a video of a good one from today, but there was a bigger one than this, that broke off right at the kayak after the line got wrapped around a branch in the water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdaCSss9Tn8

Danny V

[saxmatt]

How wide is your kayak?

[saxmatt]

Never mind, saw on one of your other videos you use a tarpon 120 kayak with a 30" width. I'd guess that pike was around 34-36" because it's nose was still in the seating area, not on he edge, but it's tail was hanging over maybe 6"? Nice pike!

[Skunk City]

Solid fish Dan. It was nice running into you on the river sunday. Was this fish from the same area?

[msgdan]

Solid fish Dan. It was nice running into you on the river sunday. Was this fish from the same area?


Nice seeing you on the river too !!! This was an area way up river from where I saw you. There are a couple deep holes that always produce a few fish, but getting there is not that easy.

After looking at the video, I would say the fish was closer to 36-38" but very thick! When I went to grab it, I thought from the weight that it was an over 40" fish. But the one I lost after this fish was at least 6" longer, but not as thick.

Danny V

[saxmatt]

Dan, it seems like the Passaic is the best for numbers, and that's a thick fish for that river, but I've never seen a pike posted from there that I would consider "thick" when compared to some of the lake fish I've seen. Here's a pic of my first big pike. It was barely 40" with the tail pinched, probably closer to 39", and there is no way I would have been able to grab it behind the head, and I'm not a small guy.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7740372592_664381009e_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7740373592_4fcdfa14d6_z.jpg

[Skunk City]

Dan, it seems like the Passaic is the best for numbers, and that's a thick fish for that river, but I've never seen a pike posted from there that I would consider "thick" when compared to some of the lake fish I've seen. Here's a pic of my first big pike. It was barely 40" with the tail pinched, probably closer to 39", and there is no way I would have been able to grab it behind the head, and I'm not a small guy.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7740372592_664381009e_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7740373592_4fcdfa14d6_z.jpg

Amazing fish! Jersey caught?

[saxmatt]

CT, there are a few lakes up there that have genetic monsters that have been breeding for years. I'd post some pics but I don't want to hijack the thread any morr than I already have. Dan, I'll PM the pics to you if you want to post them. I think you'll like them, and I'll give you the name of a few good lakes up there in case you want to do a road trip ;)

[msgdan]

Sax, I have only caught pike from the Passaic and never from a lake, so I guess I am calling "thick" from my own experience. I have caught many that were as thick as an eel, and there have been many that were two hand jobs getting into the kayak.

Your mount looks GREAT and is a trophy for sure.

Here are a couple from this year that I would consider "thick" (in my eyes) LOL

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/msgdan/IMGP0048.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s183/msgdan/IMGP0455.jpg

I may have to join you in CT one day for my first lake caught pike !!!


Danny V

[saxmatt]

Those are some nice ones. I'll definitely be hitting those lakes through the ice this winter if your interested. I've caught 5 40" fish and my biggest was right at 20lbs, but I think you can see those pike in the pics I sent you absolutely dwarf anything either one of us has caught...and the best thing is they were all released!

[AndrewT]

Those Passaic pike definitely look thick to me. Nice catches my man. That mounted pike is flat out obese haha

[antgogz]

As always dan I am very impressed. Nice Fish!

[buzzbaiter]

You guys r nutz laying those things across your laps. Your just asking for a Spinnerbait to harpoon your junk. Love to see the doctors face when he asks whats wrong :p

I've bloodied my hands/fingers so much from those things head shaking(lures have cut me more than the pikes teeth), I've pinched the barbs down on my lures so release is quick & easy. I lose more fish but I'd rather lose them and see them survive to battle another day, than vulcan death grip them with gloves for money shot photo ops knowing its 50/50 they make it.

And yes they are active. Water levels were good and the river had finally cleared up a bit. Had about 30-35 hits today and landed 16 pike(16-28") in 3 hrs. Also got seven bass(8-16") and one overzealous sunfish. Most fish were near shore hanging near cover like weedbeds, snags and logs. In fact most hits came within ten feet of me which made for some 'holy sh*t' moments. A few were out in the open but not many. Did see a few 35-40" plus biggies but alas they remained in the river to battle next time.

Hopefully the rain they r predicting will avoid the watershed as I need to scout out more spots.

[tycomps]

fished the river with rutgersfan1 this morning before the rain and managed to beat the skunk with a healthy twenty something.

[FJR]

Hi Dan, I see you are uo to your old tricks:) nice going !!