2017 Bucket List - Flatheads, Grass Carp, Musky

[TheDreamCatchers]

Im not asking to give away honey holes but what are my best bets in the way of location, tactic, and bait for my bucket list species.

Flathead Catfish
Musky/Tiger
Bowfin
Grass Carp
Hybrid Striper
Snakehead
Tiger Trout
Salmon

I know all can't be done but if I can knock off at least a couple I will be happy. I have only caught bowfin on this list but never in Jersey. #1 on this list are definitely flatheads. Thanks guys!

[Jigman13]

Google and fish and wildlife website would be a good start...

[Delawareriver]

Everything is very possible with a little time and effort. Grass carp would be the hardest by far. Tiger trout would take some effort and luck but everything wouldn't be too bad. If willing to fish the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania it would save you a lot of effort. I agree with jigman the new jersey fish and wildlife is a great resource to start with, can look up stocking information, as well as articles on many of those species. Then use Google and other resources to continue to research the species and the water bodies in NJ. I've always been the angler that gets bored and likes new challenges so did my research and caught all those species besides grass carp (have shot a few while bowfishing but never caught with rod and reel). Not gonna spot burn but the information is out there if you are willing to do the research

[Delawareriver]

I'm sure if you do the research and pick a body of water most guys would be willing to help with what tactics part of it

[Chrisper4694]

grass carp and tiger trout going to be very hard considering you can't really specifically target those species without dealing with their close relatives you know what i mean; there'd be a big luck factor involved.

the rest of the list is very doable, just need to travel and hit the right places and some at the right times.

bowfin and snakehead are on my list...i know what i have to do, just haven't made the trips yet.

[Delawareriver]

Tiger trout isn't as hard as you expect, I know of several clubs that stock them and can catch above or below the private water sections. Sure you will catch plenty of bows and browns but with a few trips should be able to find a tiger mixed in

[americandesi]

Lake Hopatcong from late September through early November is a good place to catch hybrid stripers. My friend and I fished there with a guide last fall and got into some nice ones with his help. He also helps people fish for Muskies there and Greenwood Lake.

For Tiger Trout, I would try the Musconetcong River downstream of Rt. 31 or the South Branch of the Raritan River between Long Valley & High Bridge. There have been private stockings done on both of those streams. 20 years ago I caught a wild tiger trout at India Brook in India Brook Park, but in recent years I've only caught wild browns and stocked rainbows there.

I've never looked into fishing for salmon. But I know that Tilcon Lake, Lake Aeroflex, and Waywayanda Lake are all stocked with them. Not sure if they can be caught from the shore in winter (since there is no ice), so you will probably need to use a boat to catch one. Hope that helps.

[briansnat]

Here are a few options.

Flathead Catfish - Delaware River, D & R Canal
Musky/Tiger - Monksville, Greenwood Lake, Hopatcong
Hybrid Striper Spruce Run, Hopatcong, Manasquan Res.
Tiger Trout - Hopatcong and I think the RVTA has stocked them in Round Valley in the past
Salmon - Tilcon Lake, Wawayada Lake


I have no idea
Bowfin
Grass Carp
Snakehead

[Delawareriver]

Here are a few options.

Flathead Catfish - Delaware River, D & R Canal
Musky/Tiger - Monksville, Greenwood Lake, Hopatcong
Hybrid Striper Spruce Run, Hopatcong, Manasquan Res.
Tiger Trout - Hopatcong and I think the RVTA has stocked them in Round Valley in the past
Salmon - Tilcon Lake, Wawayada Lake


I have no idea
Bowfin
Grass Carp
Snakehead

Bowfin and snakehead both can be found in the Delaware River tributaries and lakes in the tidal section. So can grass carp but they are needle in a haystack.

[TheDreamCatchers]

I do know there are flatheads in the canal but they are few and far imbetween compared to the Schuk. But Im in essex county so i would rather try there.

The state record grass carp was caught in a Mercer county pond so i might try that. Also some ponds in NY with em.

Bowfin are in lake wawayanda and all the ponds around there but arent as common as south jersey. Snakeheads live in the same southwest jersey rivers but its just such a long drive.

I could get some hybrids at some private lakes out west i just dont know how to catch em.

Believe me I have done a fair amount of research but I just wanted to see if there was anything yall knew that i didn't. The where isnt as big as an issue as the how.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Yea I don't know! Do these fish even exist in NJ? Haha! It's national dick day and I'm the president, lol! You could spend a weekend in dirty south Jerzy and get at least 3 maybe 4 off the list....... Put the time IN,,,,,,,,,

[Chrisper4694]

Let me save you some time, don't bother targeting bowfin at wawayanda...spent a spring doing that, caught some nice bass and pickerel, no bowfin. Go south, and then go further south. Til you can smell Camden hahaha

[Jigman13]

The 'how' part comes with time invested. Lots of us here earned our stripes by putting our time in...simple as that. Research and time. It's more satisfying that way too. Don't think about the long drive or how late it's getting.

[Delawareriver]

The 'how' part comes with time invested. Lots of us here earned our stripes by putting our time in...simple as that. Research and time. It's more satisfying that way too. Don't think about the long drive or how late it's getting.

20 states the last 5 years and only thoughts were about exploring new water, catching/shooting new species, meeting new people and where next? Haha guess it's an addiction. Leaving in 8 hours and headed north to get on ice, 5 hour drive but hopefully will be well worth it

[HerringKing]

Yea I don't know! Do these fish even exist in NJ? Haha! It's national dick day and I'm the president, lol! You could spend a weekend in dirty south Jerzy and get at least 3 maybe 4 off the list....... Put the time IN,,,,,,,,,

What you mean "dirty"?


I have a similar list(flathead, grass carp, tiger trout, golden trout and snakehead)

I know where to catch all of them but the fish gods hate me!

[HerringKing]

Let me save you some time, don't bother targeting bowfin at wawayanda...spent a spring doing that, caught some nice bass and pickerel, no bowfin. Go south, and then go further south. Til you can smell Camden hahaha

If you want bowfin, you have to go 60 miles south of Camden. If people look inbred then your in the right spot.

[briansnat]

The 'how' part comes with time invested. Lots of us here earned our stripes by putting our time in...simple as that. Research and time. It's more satisfying that way too. Don't think about the long drive or how late it's getting.

I'm willing to use my experience regarding how and where to help newbies when I can. I want them to succeed.

Like most of us, I've spent much my life looking for areas to fish and spent many hours trying different techniques. I see this and similar forums as an opportunity to share what knowledge I have with others.

Sometimes this forum seems like little more than a brag board. "Hey, look at what I caught, but I'm not telling you where or how".

You mention research. The simple act of registering on this site (and similar ones) and asking questions IS research. If there something I can impart that will give a new angler who goes through the trouble to register here some advice, I will provide what I can.

[thmyorke1]

I'm willing to use my experience regarding how and where to help newbies when I can. I want them to succeed.

Like most of us, I've spent much my life looking for areas to fish and spent many hours trying different techniques. I see this and similar forums as an opportunity to share what knowledge I have with others.

Sometimes this forum seems like little more than a brag board. "Hey, look at what I caught, but I'm not telling you where or how".

You mention research. The simple act of registering on this site (and similar ones) and asking questions IS research. If there something I can impart that will give a new angler who goes through the trouble to register here some advice, I will provide what I can.

Some of the true fun comes from learning yourself, and this forum has been very helpful for me as well.

Some things are hard to explain and are easier done than said from what I've noticed.

[Chrisper4694]

I'm willing to use my experience regarding how and where to help newbies when I can. I want them to succeed.

Like most of us, I've spent much my life looking for areas to fish and spent many hours trying different techniques. I see this and similar forums as an opportunity to share what knowledge I have with others.

Sometimes this forum seems like little more than a brag board. "Hey, look at what I caught, but I'm not telling you where or how".

You mention research. The simple act of registering on this site (and similar ones) and asking questions IS research. If there something I can impart that will give a new angler who goes through the trouble to register here some advice, I will provide what I can.

going to have to completely disagree with that...

information doesn't have to be put out in the open. you have to realize how many people lurk on this site with no intention of contributing to it AT ALL; looking for an easy way to fill their bucket with as little effort as possible. (i'm in no way aiming this at dreamcatcher btw, just making a point)

if you contribute to the site and send a pm to someone about a post they made, most of the time they will be more than happy to share information with you if you are a responsible, contributing angler.

[bigfishy]

going to have to completely disagree with that...

information doesn't have to be put out in the open. you have to realize how many people lurk on this site with no intention of contributing to it AT ALL; looking for an easy way to fill their bucket with as little effort as possible. (i'm in no way aiming this at dreamcatcher btw, just making a point)

if you contribute to the site and send a pm to someone about a post they made, most of the time they will be more than happy to share information with you if you are a responsible, contributing angler.

x2
:D

[GetANet]

X3

[saxmatt]

X4

[thmyorke1]

You never know when a fish rights activist group can be lurking and figuring out how to ruin one of our holes :eek:

If that ever happens we need to figure out a counter mob and form a fishing barrier.

I'd like to say spot burning shouldn't be taken too seriously however; most spots such as some places that were pm'd to me I already knew about, and I'm new to the business.

Today it's quite easy to look up on google maps for a nature park on side of a river or a park with a pond. Especially with satellite you can pin point features such as falls and ez parking.

It's exactly how I've done it; and I'm not the first.

Ofc I'm all for pms on revealing actual spots, not just a pond but the part of the pond that produces, not just a river but some key areas/pools that many people don't find.