Rahway River 9/27

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

Fished in 2 sections of the river in Rahway and Cranford.

Caught 7 small bass in the matter of a half hour in Rahway. Couldn't find anything of decent size but those babies will get fat one day. Also caught a handful of aggressive little sunnies.

Cranford was a bust but I found some new access points which is always an adventure. Watched some carp swim around and enjoyed the peacefulness of the river.

I was fishing with a black zoom finesse worm and a black and Silver Rapala F-3.

[Chrisper4694]

sounds like a relaxing day

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

sounds like a relaxing day

It really was. The Rahway River park system is a hidden gem in Union County. You can be a stones throw away from the civilization and highways and feel like you're somewhere out west or up north.

[logs22]

I was also out on Rahway in Cranford both Sat. and Sunday and had similar experiences - both days caught multiple small LmB but nothing with much size. My usual go to spot was super clear on Friday though and I spotted a nice sized bass along the bottom. I tried a few different color senkos and dangled them right in from of it with zero interest. Finally one of my casts (drops would probably be more accurate as I was fishing straight down off an elevated ledge) landed right on the fish and spooked it (as well as two other good sized bass I hadn't noticed).

[Suntzu]

The mighty Rahway needs to be stocked with things other than trout
Would gladly give up the trout for pike and smallmouth
Carp tear the place up in most sections
We need an apex predator

[logs22]

The mighty Rahway needs to be stocked with things other than trout
Would gladly give up the trout for pike and smallmouth
Carp tear the place up in most sections
We need an apex predator

I agree, the entire stretch in Cranford from the Mill north until the footbridge is overrun with carp. Maybe it's a coincidence, but none of the bass I have caught in the river have come from that same stretch, despite numerous attempts. The only areas I have had luck are upstrseam and downstream from that stretch where water is on average shallower but with isolated pools that the carp cannot get to when water is low. I have seen occasional carp in these pools but for the most part it's LMB and bluegills (and maybe some of suntzu's 'relocated' trout...still looking for those).

[Suntzu]

Stop looking for my trout, you will not find them ;)
From the mill downstream to the parkway is beautiful smallmouth water
Just no smallmouth only sunnies, stunted at that

[logs22]

Stop looking for my trout, you will not find them ;)
From the mill downstream to the parkway is beautiful smallmouth water
Just no smallmouth only sunnies, stunted at that

Ahh Suntzu, with each post you divulge little pieces of information that will slowly but surely lead me to the promised land. For instance, this most recent post leads me to believe i may have gotten a little too comfortable with my northside waters. I think its about time i cross over to the dark side, i mean south side, and do a little exploration;-) With that new south ave. mexican joint opening right on the river maybe with a little luck i can celebrate successfully catching (and releasing) one of your mythic rahway river holdover trout with tacos and a few margaritas.

On a somewhat related note, i cannot wait for River & Rails to open. My wife and i have been desperate for good mexican food/drink since we moved to Cranford years ago and while union, westfield and roselle park each have OK places, i have a feeling this place will be the answer to our prayers. Plus i can walk home so if food sucks, there are always the margaritas!

[youngdumbandfulloffish]

[QUOTE=
On a somewhat related note, i cannot wait for River & Rails to open. My wife and i have been desperate for good mexican food/drink since we moved to Cranford years ago and while union, westfield and roselle park each have OK places, i have a feeling this place will be the answer to our prayers. Plus i can walk home so if food sucks, there are always the margaritas![/QUOTE]


Try Beana's in Rahway. My Fiance and I love that place. The steep banks on that stretch make it a little tough to fish in some spots.

What are the laws around clearing paths to shore access? Can you carry a small ax or machete to pathways?

[phil]

beanas is good I used to get takeout from there all the time when I lived in clark. nowadays the only real "mexican" food places I can convince my wife to go are jose tejas, chipotle and chilis :(

[phil]

Stop looking for my trout, you will not find them ;)
From the mill downstream to the parkway is beautiful smallmouth water
Just no smallmouth only sunnies, stunted at that

from the mill to the pkway is my hood now. ive only been here 3 weeks and with the drought conditions the way they've been that's good to hear because it was crazy low until last night...

[Billfish715]

The stretch below Orange Ave (once called the Lehigh Stretch) was maintained by avid fishing groups from the area who built rock dams and maintained the "fishability" of the river through there. Former Fish and Game councilman Hank Kelly lived across from the river in the stretch below the mill.That stretch was always maintained and well-stocked. Since the terrible flooding, that entire stretch has been bulldozed and channeled which has encouraged whatever trout that were stocked to move out. It never held trout much before, but the river looked more like a trout stream than it does today.

[phil]

The stretch below Orange Ave (once called the Lehigh Stretch) was maintained by avid fishing groups from the area who built rock dams and maintained the "fishability" of the river through there. Former Fish and Game councilman Hank Kelly lived across from the river in the stretch below the mill.That stretch was always maintained and well-stocked. Since the terrible flooding, that entire stretch has been bulldozed and channeled which has encouraged whatever trout that were stocked to move out. It never held trout much before, but the river looked more like a trout stream than it does today.

interesting stuff, thanks. im thinking about joining the rahway river association and/or the trout unlimited group to stay involved in the goings on.

ive had thoughts about how to improve the fishing in my stretch and how to keep fish around without being obvious and bringing in heavy duty equipment, etc but I don't think the folks upriver would be too happy with my "ideas"

[Suntzu]

I think the Rahway River chapter of TA meets Wednesday's at the cranford community center
They do stream restoration work but not on the Rahway, more on SBR and the Musky I believe
Don't create DSM's in the river. Breaks, weird etc are ok but dams don't help they hurt the fishing

[Billfish715]

The stretch below Morris Ave. has the most promise at rehabilitation. That stretch was worked on extensively over 50 years ago. Some of the little runs and riffles there, today, are a result of the work that was done years ago. To build a dam (in the pure sense of the word) is impractical and impossible. Rocks placed in strategic positions and heights oxygenate the water and improve its quality and flow however. Fish are attracted to those spots and tend to hang around longer. They would have to be maintained yearly given the history of flooding on the Rahway. The area below St. George's Ave. is an attractive stretch that should be included on the spring stocking list. It is more fishable than most other places upstream, The river is not dead by any means but the effects of flood control have changed its character. It is a stream that is stocked with trout but certainly not a trout stream. It was and still is a put and take fishery so take it for what it's worth. You can put the trout you catch into buckets and move them to other areas, but eventually the river will claim them as well.

I learned to fish on the Rahway when I was a kid along with hundreds of other kids who found it a safe place to go that was within a bike ride for most of us. Opening day was a big deal back then. The banks were lined with kids and adults and families. For most of them, it was a yearly tradition and an event. The area above and below the dam in the center of town was packed. It was elbow to elbow with people staking their spots well before dawn. Winfield, Jackson's, Drescher's, the foot bridge, Route 22, Morris Ave., were packed. The Rahway might as well have been the South Branch or Musky. It was that popular. Those are stories for another day, but there is still a warm spot in my heart every time I pass by those places that were so much a part of my past, present and future.

[Suntzu]

Same for me. I have fished it every opening day for the last 40 years save one when I was living too far away
Hope is in the horizon as there is a plan underway to do significant dredging Nd flood control
The Mill Dam gate broke 12 years ago and cannot be closed. As a consequence the river upstream from there is essentially drained and silted over They should simply remove the dam

I remember fondly the opening days lines bs ms, making bonfires and the sense of community and love if fishing this created. I and every kid in the neighborhood fished the river all summer, and explored the UC lakes and ponds
It's a 23 mile river that travels through some of the most densely populated parts of the state and yet is very accessible and for the most part picturesque it deserves to be saved so that future generations of kids can learn to love fishing as we did

[Billfish715]

Fishing was fishing when we were kids. No matter how big or small or which species was around, if it had gills and fins, it was a target. Whether it was big red comet goldfish in Nomahegan Park or using size 14 hooks on 8# test mono to hook chubs and fall fish at the shooting range( before the dam was built) or shiners in Echo Lake, it was fishing. We dug worms in a manure pile at a local farm or found them under the leaves and thatch along the banks.. Homemade dough balls and hand picked night crawlers from the lawn at night all worked as bait. A bass was an exotic species that was seldom caught. If we wanted any other exotics like perch or crappies, we'd have to bike over to the Clark Reservoir. The Ash Brook in Clark also used to be stocked with trout. Our whole world was right here in Union County. Can you imagine a time when the section of the Rahway River just above, under and below the bridges on Route 22 was stocked with trout and crowded with fishermen? More on this at another time.

[logs22]

89889. I learned to fish on the Rahway when I was a kid along with hundreds of other kids who found it a safe place to go that was within a bike ride for most of us. Opening day was a big deal back then. The banks were lined with kids and adults and families. For most of them, it was a yearly tradition and an event. The area above and below the dam in the center of town was packed. It was elbow to elbow with people staking their spots well before dawn. Winfield, Jackson's, Drescher's, the foot bridge, Route 22, Morris Ave., were packed. The Rahway might as well have been the South Branch or Musky. It was that popular. Those are stories for another day, but there is still a warm spot in my heart every time I pass by those places that were so much a part of my past, present and future.

I hope my son has these same type of memories growing up in Cranford near the river, and I am doing my best to ensure he does....(pictured are just two of our many adventures, Echo Lake and Rahway River near Sperry Park...)

[phil]

89889

I hope my son has these same type of memories growing up in Cranford near the river, and I am doing my best to ensure he does....(pictured are just two of our many adventures, Echo Lake and Rahway River near Sperry Park...)

***live update received within the last hour:

the sunfish in cranford are blitzing on munchkins at the no named pond near the gsp. its a hot bite and the uncatchable koi are shallow.

[logs22]

***live update received within the last hour:

the sunfish in cranford are blitzing on munchkins at the no named pond near the gsp. its a hot bite and the uncatchable koi are shallow.

I think it's formal name is 'Big Bend Lake' although lots of people call it Mohawk Lake/pond. Has the weed/algae/slime situation improved enough there to make it worth fishing for some bass? I know they are in there somewhere, although I usually start in pond and end up fishing river by dam. It's good like Rahway River Park pond like that - pond on one side and river right behind - two for price of one.

[phil]

I think it's formal name is 'Big Bend Lake' although lots of people call it Mohawk Lake/pond. Has the weed/algae/slime situation improved enough there to make it worth fishing for some bass? I know they are in there somewhere, although I usually start in pond and end up fishing river by dam. It's good like Rahway River Park pond like that - pond on one side and river right behind - two for price of one.

its gotten better but its nowhere near clear. ive managed a few small bass the last couple times out using 4" senkos wacky rigged with a weedless 1/0. the pond is filled with sunnies/crappies and bullheads so its a great kid place, but it would be very low on my list of places to go if you're looking for bass.

[Suntzu]

I think it's official name is Sperry Pond
Locals if my generation always called it parkway pond
Used to be ok bass fishing but not so much now
Believe it or not for a couple of years about 10 years ago they use to stick it with trout for a kids fishing derby

[Jay1111]

I agree, the entire stretch in Cranford from the Mill north until the footbridge is overrun with carp. Maybe it's a coincidence, but none of the bass I have caught in the river have come from that same stretch, despite numerous attempts. The only areas I have had luck are upstrseam and downstream from that stretch where water is on average shallower but with isolated pools that the carp cannot get to when water is low. I have seen occasional carp in these pools but for the most part it's LMB and bluegills (and maybe some of suntzu's 'relocated' trout...still looking for those).

I am relatively new to this river. You've mentioned: "Cranford from the Mill north until the footbridge" Can you tell me where exactly that is? I would love to try to catch some carp..
Thank you

[phil]

Some people really suck. Theres no chance this washed up randomly it was placed in a flat spot around boulders that make a great seating area when I fish for sunnies with my son by some tweaking litterbug scumbag. This is right behind my house. By a park. In cranford. Where kids explore the woods and catch sunnies and chase deer and walk dogs. Theres still a couple trout around my spots, but this ruined my night. I left a nasty sarcastic note basically saying if you wanna kill urself taking drugs go ahead but not in my backyard and dont litter your shit. I waited around till dark, never saw anyone. Gonna go back out there early tomorrow am. ****ing furious right now.

[logs22]

Some people really suck. Theres no chance this washed up randomly it was placed in a flat spot around boulders that make a great seating area when I fish for sunnies with my son by some tweaking litterbug scumbag. This is right behind my house. By a park. In cranford. Where kids explore the woods and catch sunnies and chase deer and walk dogs. Theres still a couple trout around my spots, but this ruined my night. I left a nasty sarcastic note basically saying if you wanna kill urself taking drugs go ahead but not in my backyard and dont litter your shit. I waited around till dark, never saw anyone. Gonna go back out there early tomorrow am. ****ing furious right now.


I was fishing at that spot wed. Or thurs. night and there were a bunch of kids hanging out doing something shady. Since I didn't catch a Wiff of any smoke maybe that needle was theirs. I think the shady characters hang there at night because there is really no good way to patrol the area since only accessible on foot and at night kids would see any cop in plenty of time to get rid of anything illegal. There were also
Some kids out bow fishing which I was surprised to see. Saw them pull some large carp from the pond and river.

[River Renegade]

Some people really suck. Theres no chance this washed up randomly it was placed in a flat spot around boulders that make a great seating area when I fish for sunnies with my son by some tweaking litterbug scumbag. This is right behind my house. By a park. In cranford. Where kids explore the woods and catch sunnies and chase deer and walk dogs. Theres still a couple trout around my spots, but this ruined my night. I left a nasty sarcastic note basically saying if you wanna kill urself taking drugs go ahead but not in my backyard and dont litter your shit. I waited around till dark, never saw anyone. Gonna go back out there early tomorrow am. ****ing furious right now.
Agree and it's a shame to find a needle & trash on the ground near other people's houses. The cops need to patrol over there much stronger and often.

[Esox Luciano]

Agree and it's a shame to find a needle & trash on the ground near other people's houses. The cops need to patrol over there much stronger and often.

THIS, we all can definitely agree on!!!

Anywhere we see this while enjoying the outdoors is disgusting, especially in someone's backyard!! You should contact some authorities and tell them that it's a dope spot!

Check pm's Jay

[phil]

I was fishing at that spot wed. Or thurs. night and there were a bunch of kids hanging out doing something shady. Since I didn't catch a Wiff of any smoke maybe that needle was theirs. I think the shady characters hang there at night because there is really no good way to patrol the area since only accessible on foot and at night kids would see any cop in plenty of time to get rid of anything illegal. There were also
Some kids out bow fishing which I was surprised to see. Saw them pull some large carp from the pond and river.

I cant believe anyone would bowfish those spots. Might as well throw some m80s or a cast net wtf

[Jigman13]

Loaded with Carp and it's legal with a license. I've contemplated trying it actually. Just haven't bit the bullet.

[logs22]

Loaded with Carp and it's legal with a license. I've contemplated trying it actually. Just haven't bit the bullet.

I worry about getting hassled by cops for night fishing with a rod and reel. I can't imagine walking back to the car in the middle of a residential street in Cranford armed with a bow and arrow. I don't think 'bow fishing' would be the first thing that came to any cops mind if he saw some kid walking around at 2 am armed with a deadly weapon.

[Jigman13]

I worry about getting hassled by cops for night fishing with a rod and reel. I can't imagine walking back to the car in the middle of a residential street in Cranford armed with a bow and arrow. I don't think 'bow fishing' would be the first thing that came to any cops mind if he saw some kid walking around at 2 am armed with a deadly weapon.

They've got a pretty noticeable reel attached to them. if u have your license on you and you're not doing anything wrong they'll leave you alone. If it's part of the Union County Park system they may tell u to leave...depends on the parks operating hours.