Central Jersey fresh water report

[NJ219bands]

I caught a black crappie on my first cast into 54 degree Carnegie Lake with a tube jig Sunday, then caught nothing after that. Gizzard shad were jumping. Sunday I caught 17 black crappies and a bluegill in a 55 degree beaver pond in Central Jersey on a 1/32 oz twister jig. When I returned there today, I only caught 2 bluegills and a black crappie in 49 degree water on the same lure as Sunday. I lost a big fish that was probably a bowfin.

[Chrisper4694]

I've wanted to catch a bowfin. Tried in wawayanda this spring with no luck though.

[xDirty]

NJ219bands would you be willing to share some locations? Lol ever since late fall things have gotten really slow for me.

[NJ219bands]

NJ219bands would you be willing to share some locations? Lol ever since late fall things have gotten really slow for me.

My best fishing is where there are no people. People ruin fishing spots and don't even know it.

[xDirty]

My best fishing is where there are no people. People ruin fishing spots and don't even know it.

I understand. no worries

[Fishinfire]

xDirty, try grabbing a bucket of shiners, tail hook them and either drift them under a float or even just live line them and let them swim free at the water way I ran into you at. Just remember to either have a wire leader on or some heavy line so the toothy critters don't break you off! Hoping to get out there today some time to end the year.

Happy New Year everyone and stay safe out there!

[phil]

My best fishing is where there are no people. People ruin fishing spots and don't even know it.

i agree with you, but its kind of a dick move to come here and post about catching fish then someone asks for some info and you come back with that.

[Jigman13]

Not a dick move at all. He asked if he'd share his spot lol! Dude said no, prob bc he put time and research into finding a hole off the beaten path. We all have our sugar spots man... one reserves the right to deny another to keep his low pressured spot productive.

[phil]

Not a dick move at all. He asked if he'd share his spot lol! Dude said no, prob bc he put time and research into finding a hole off the beaten path. We all have our sugar spots man... one reserves the right to deny another to keep his low pressured spot productive.

I guess...if it was me and the guy seemed normal id have pm'd him at least, send him to a place with no fish see how it goes from there

[xDirty]

I guess...if it was me and the guy seemed normal id have pm'd him at least, send him to a place with no fish see how it goes from there

Hey Phil, I appreciate your comments and thanks for looking out for me.
NJ219bands definitely has the right to keep his fishing spots secret. I'm just gonna keep trying till i figure out a new spot thats more productive in the winter and if all fails my usual spots should be good in the spring.

xDirty, try grabbing a bucket of shiners, tail hook them and either drift them under a float or even just live line them and let them swim free at the water way I ran into you at. Just remember to either have a wire leader on or some heavy line so the toothy critters don't break you off! Hoping to get out there today some time to end the year.

Happy New Year everyone and stay safe out there!

FishinFire! whats up buddy.

The problem i have with shiners or live bait in general is i dont like to kill anything lol. The fish i catch, I release, and no live bait for me. But i will go back to that spot and try again. I feel less sorry for worms lol maybe i'll follow your advice and get some of those.

Happy new year everyone

[thomaskgrosvenor]

I found crappie to be fun to catch when they were of decent crappie size.
After quickly unhooking, they are definitely a cool fish to take a moment to look at before releasing.
I have read they are good to eat with the right recipe.
Also I enjoy telling passerby's of my crappie fishing exploits. Recently, a woman witnessing my crappie fishing prowess said "Oh he just catches sunfish" to which I quickly and proudly exclaimed, "no, no, no young lady this is a crappie!"
I must say that with my recent mastering of the crappie magnet, that I now feel that I can confidently consider myself a crappie fisherman.
Then I see the pictures of some of the beasts being caught by the NJ Fishing Community and feel a little less proud of myself. But only a little.