Split rock info needed.

[XXlyakattacker]

I'm going fishing at Split rock this weekend. Never been there and would appreciate any info that would help make this trip successful. Thanks in advance.

[Skunk City]

I haven't been there this year yet, but heard the water level has been dropped significantly. We used to do well in the back past the big island with both LMB's and SMB's. Senkos and smaller Rapalas did most of the damage.

[briansnat]

I've done really well with green pumpkin Senkos and Yumndingers, unweighted. I seem to catch the most at the north end. As Skunk City mentioned the reservoir is (or was) way down for dam repairs.

I have no idea how it fishes when down this low, never fished there before when it was down. Hopefully it's filling back up. Let us know how you did.

[Eskimo]

.


XXlyakattacker, were you on Spruce Run the weekend before last?

I saw a big guy in a yellow Ocean Kayak fishing with another guy in a similar kayak. I thought it might be you.

.

[XXlyakattacker]

thanks for the info guys. Really appreciate it. Hope the water isn't as low as Spruce Run. Carrying the yak 400 yards through mud has killed my ambition. And yes that was me at Spruce. My buddy is in the yellow prowler and I am in the camo big game prowler. Been doing well there just want to try some place new. Haven't been to split rock since 1986.

[phil]

I went a couple months ago. The water was down at least 30 feet. It was really amazing to see all the structure and imagine what its like when the water is higher. We picked at fish all day, when we found structure they were stacked up tight on it. I can't wait to go back, but only when it fills back up...If you go and the waters low I'd head somewhere else

[Eskimo]

.

And yes that was me at Spruce. My buddy is in the yellow prowler and I am in the camo big game prowler.

I knew it! I should have paddled over and introduced myself. I had nagging doubts about whether it was you and I was afraid if I was wrong those two guys would think they were being followed by a crazy person. http://www.smileysnetwork.com/fou/fou33.gif


.

[acabtp]

I went a couple months ago. The water was down at least 30 feet. It was really amazing to see all the structure and imagine what its like when the water is higher. We picked at fish all day, when we found structure they were stacked up tight on it. I can't wait to go back, but only when it fills back up...If you go and the waters low I'd head somewhere else
the res is only about 30' deep at the dam. do you mean the water was 30' out farther from where it normally is? or did they drain it almost all the way? (it was only down 5-6' in the spring)

[phil]

the res is only about 30' deep at the dam. do you mean the water was 30' out farther from where it normally is? or did they drain it almost all the way? (it was only down 5-6' in the spring)


It was my first time on split rock and I didn't take out a tape measure, we got as close as we could jigging the dam wall area and it was maybe 8ft deep. There were shallow spots where the regular shoreline was really far from the water edge, like hundreds of feet. Directly across from the launch where the shoreline is vertical the water line on the rock wall was above our heads by a bunch, standing in the boat

[XXlyakattacker]

is it a challenge to launch? Trying not to have a workout in the mud before fishing. I don't mind some distance but mud gets on my nerves. Been in up to my waist at Spruce already.

[phil]

Getting to the water is a steep walk. Once you get there its not too bad if you walk to the right, no mud issues. We had a jonboat and there was 2 of us so it wasnt bad we just dropped right it next to the rocks and made a couple trips up and down for gear. If you have a kayak cart it makes everything easier

[UglyStick]

Stopped by Split Rock yesterday - the water is about 10 - 12 feet below normal full pool from the dam repairs draw down.

In The 2nd pic, notice the water line up on the rock cliff. In the 3rd pic, I'm standing a few feet from the waters edge looking at shore.

For some added fun the last 2 pics are the boat launch at Cannistear as of yesterday. At the waters edge the ground has already gone from gravel to thick mud and in the water there are numerous large rocks in the way of the trailer path

[AndyS]

WOW, thanx for the pics, that is a major draw down on Split Rock ! Is that a pallet and a tire in pic number 2 ?

[UglyStick]

Good eye Andy - if you look just to the right of the rock the tire is leaning against, you will also see some metal appliance (about 2 or 3 feet square). There is a lot of garbage there, both stuff that has long been in the water and is now exposed and new junk from people fishing, drinking/partying, etc. at the lowered waters edge. My wife and I each filled up a bag of garbage and took it away but the place could really use a group clean-up effort immediately prior to when they let it fill back up (whenever that is).

[AndyS]

Thanx for the clean up efforts, every little bit helps. I saw the list of stuff that came out of Lake Hopatcong when they did a clean up during a draw down and I was amazed at the amount of stuff they got out of the lake. Always wonder what lies beneath the surface of the water in some of these lakes. You know me I'd be up there pulling that stuff out of Split Rock but I got my hands full down here on the Raritan river. I'm sure there must be someone you can contact and drop them a line in order to get that stuff outta there before they fill it up again.

[The Birdman]

Stopped by Split Rock yesterday - the water is about 10 - 12 feet below normal full pool from the dam repairs draw down.

In The 2nd pic, notice the water line up on the rock cliff. In the 3rd pic, I'm standing a few feet from the waters edge looking at shore.

For some added fun the last 2 pics are the boat launch at Cannistear as of yesterday. At the waters edge the ground has already gone from gravel to thick mud and in the water there are numerous large rocks in the way of the trailer path

yea i fished it yesterday afternoon, very muddy going down. some rocks to bump over while in the water, you really gotta go straight back or else your grindin on rocks. 1 guy took 25 min to get his boat on the trailer but i just patiently waited:rolleyes:.
it is pretty hard to launch a boat cuz the ground is now flat so you dotta do the back n forth bunk roll off move.
and the fishing was not worth the launch hassle.

hey xxxyaker, how did u do ?

[XXlyakattacker]

We did very good. I'd say about 60 fish between the 2 of us. Found a couple spots where you could catch perch and pickerel all day long. The pickerel were so thick it was scarey. Picked at large and small mouths until midday when we found a nice concentration of them. Spinnerbaits, spinners, X rap shallows, and small jigs with hellgramite power bait did the job. Small is were sucking up those hellgramites! Thanks for all the info guys. Bee lined it to the north end to get away from the freak show. Payed off well.

[Chrisk]

It's down about 10 feet.

[AndyS]

Some nice healthy looking fish there !!!