15 miles on the river and my new PB Pike

[Skunk City]

Had a nice open schedule this weekend so I took advantage of the great weather and spent it covering some new water. Did 7-8 mile float trips both days, picking up today where I ended yesterday. Had the pleasure of "guiding" two first timers in my uncle and kid cousin Saturday and had a blast. Picked up 3 Pike to 32", a slab Crappie, and Yellow Perch and my first ever PR Pickerel. Wasn't big, but my first Pickerel for the hundreds of Pike landed in the river, pretty exciting.

Day 2 started a little later than desired. 6am alarm went off this morning and a quick check of the radar showed rain passing through. Fell back asleep til 9, then headed out. Did another 7-8 miles on a stretch of river I've yet to wet a line in and was rewarded heavily. Ended up with 5 Pike, including my new personal best 39" gorilla. Was getting lots of short strikes on my crankbait, so I swapped on a big spinnerbait and it got hammered first cast by this big girl. Not a long fight, 2 quick surges under the yak and she was in the net. Hopped onto the muddy banks for a solid measurement and a few photos. Oh so close to that 40" mark, but I'll take it. I'm a big believer of being up early/late to catch fish during magic hour, but this one came at 1:45 in the afternoon!? River was crazy low, had to portage around complete blockages twice. Deepest holes held the fish.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_122234_zpsvp0udpk4.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/user/QuikSilverSRT4/media/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_122234_zpsvp0udpk4.jpg.html)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_065515_zpsgilwx1d4.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/user/QuikSilverSRT4/media/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_065515_zpsgilwx1d4.jpg.html)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/Fishing%20Photos/0816141247a_zps2ppeowdw.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/user/QuikSilverSRT4/media/Fishing%20Photos/0816141247a_zps2ppeowdw.jpg.html)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_034403_zpsv4xvjqd2.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/user/QuikSilverSRT4/media/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_034403_zpsv4xvjqd2.jpg.html)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_075453_zpsjumzt64j.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/user/QuikSilverSRT4/media/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_075453_zpsjumzt64j.jpg.html)

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/QuikSilverSRT4/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_021502_zpsntvcvizv.jpg (http://s66.photobucket.com/user/QuikSilverSRT4/media/Fishing%20Photos/IMG_20140817_021502_zpsntvcvizv.jpg.html)

[The Birdman]

Some BIG girls, nice fish man!

[Eskimo]

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That's awesome. Great pics.


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[ScowardNJ]

Sick reward for covering all that water, gator!

[NorthJerzyG]

WOOOO Beast Mode!!!! Nice catches!

Def cool when a pickerel comes out of the river. They fight just as well if not better than a pike of the same size.

[stevejordan]

sick, that things head is massive

[NJD Bassman]

Sweet fish dude. You kill it out there

[msgdan]

Nice going Skunk and congrats on your new PB pike !! Nothing like trying new areas and catching a few.

Danny V

[bigboy5522]

I believe I seen your car When I fished the passiac river on Sunday. Was that you and did you catch your fish close to that launch? because I did not have any luck at that spot

[Esox Luciano]

Always feels good 2 conquer new spots! Great job n sweet fish man!!

[Skunk City]

Thanks guys!



We didn't have much luck for the first 2 miles or so, just a few nice Crappie to keep things interesting. Lots of shallow, moving water until you get into the woods a bit. The key was finding deeper holes in the oxbows of the river. The ones deeper than 3ft usually held the fish.

I believe I seen your car When I fished the passiac river on Sunday. Was that you and did you catch your fish close to that launch? because I did not have any luck at that spot

[Skunk City]

Nice going Skunk and congrats on your new PB pike !! Nothing like trying new areas and catching a few.

Danny V

Been on a quest the past few months to get away from the popular areas to find some fat, virgin Pike that haven't been caught or seen a spinnerbait or Rapala wiz passed their face 100 times. Been catching lots of fish miles away from the nearest stocking points, which is a good sign that these fish are moving around a bit. Plus it's nice having the river to yourself for 6 hours :p.

[Mikey topaz]

Nice going Robbie. Really nice shits as usual! Don't worry man youl get that 40 incher ice season!!

[Skunk City]

Nice going Robbie. Really nice shits as usual! Don't worry man youl get that 40 incher ice season!!

If I have to wait til ice season, it needs to be bigger than 42" lol.

[MikeNJ]

Nice looking Pike! Congrats on the new PB!!

[bigboy5522]

Thanks guys!



We didn't have much luck for the first 2 miles or so, just a few nice Crappie to keep things interesting. Lots of shallow, moving water until you get into the woods a bit. The key was finding deeper holes in the oxbows of the river. The ones deeper than 3ft usually held the fish.

Thanks I have a kayak so I might try soon

[FASTEDDIE29]

Congrats on the PB bro! You definately put in the time. Well deserved catch!!!!!!!
YEA BOYYYYYEEEEE!!!:D

[jimmythegreek]

thats a solid beast there buddy, good job Rob. U def put your time in on that river, time to enjoy the rewards!! lemme know when u wanna jump on for some stripes bro

[Gatto1227]

39?!?!?! Ughh! That's like a slap in the face lol. j/p nice job man you're on fire

[Jigman13]

if i have to wait til ice season, it needs to be bigger than 42" lol.

Or 42.5! Lol!

Nice fish dude... Way to get away from the high traffic and reap the rewards!

[Skunk City]

39?!?!?! Ughh! That's like a slap in the face lol. j/p nice job man you're on fire

HAHAHA my father said the same thing!

[muskynut]

really nice Rob....congrats....I bet there are a few fish in there pushing 30 lbs.:)

[liveitup1.75liter]

Great GORILLA!!!!