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View Full Version : I am telling ya, there are no fish in the Canal!


Fishinfire
05-07-2017, 10:56 PM
Hit the water at about 11:30 last night in hopes of a cooperative Walleye or two. Started my standard practice of grabbing the UL armed with a tiny Gulp minnow on a gold Trout Magnet jig head.
Couple of bounces near the wall never fails to give up a sunny or rock bass no matter what time of day it is! Time for Mr sunny to get a hands on lesson on piercings the food chain!

A 3/0 football jig just behind his dorsal usually does the trick. I like to call it turning little fish into big fish! Down into the was it goes. About 10-15 mins of him trying to swim into the falls goes on with no results. Cross over to the tow path side and redeploy. 30 seconds later a monstrous slam followed by a determined descent to the bottom of the locks began. The struggle for control lasted about 15 minutes or so and I finally got it to the surface. Hoping to see big white pearly eyes I look down and see a bit fat mouth of a cat! I attach the rope to the line and slide the hook down like a zip line. A slight lift and I feel the weight. I continue hand over hand and the weight gets heavier and heavier. Hoist it over the top of the wall and BOOM!!! There she is! All 33" of her! I don't carry a scale so I am not sure of a weight. I can however tell you that I needed 2 hands to hold her off the ground!

The Canal is coming to life!! I was going to post pics of recent weeks catches at the Canal but they are not worthy after this pig!

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a630/FishinFire/Mobile%20Uploads/1494139342_zps4c8ffdjs.jpg

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a630/FishinFire/Mobile%20Uploads/20170506_235456_zpszmjt2k8h.jpg

AndyS
05-07-2017, 11:04 PM
Looks like a Flathead. As per NJF&G rules you are not to release Flatheads back into the water as they are invasive.
Nice post, haven't heard from you in a while !!

Sako1
05-07-2017, 11:58 PM
Looks like something off the show 'River Monsters'

Nice catch and congratulations!

Dave

TheDreamCatchers
05-08-2017, 01:11 AM
Is that right where the Raritan meets the Canal?

thmyorke1
05-08-2017, 01:23 AM
No fish in the canal cause that thing has been eating them all! Definitely looks like a flathead and Andy said it right.

Which lock was this taken out of? I'm guessing they're all over it

Cuz
05-08-2017, 01:32 AM
What a great catch. Very kool. My best fighting fish in a stream was a three pound channel catfish caught on a ultra lite trout rod and four pound Trilene line. Your fish is a monster compared to mine. Congratulations.

FASTEDDIE29
05-08-2017, 07:54 AM
Hahahaha! Great report dude! That's a big ole Flathead right there! Fish is gona be around 18-20 lbs or so! Big canal dweller, WOW! Great job landing that slob!!! YEA BUDDY!

P.S. I agree if course, "there are no fish in the canal at all!":D

Mark B.
05-08-2017, 08:14 AM
No fish,.........with the exception of every species that swims in the Delaware River, from where the D&R Canal emanates.

Chrisper4694
05-08-2017, 12:55 PM
how in the world did you land that on ultralight!!!??? well done!

Eskimo
05-08-2017, 01:34 PM
.


Wow - that is amazing! :eek:


.

dfish28
05-08-2017, 02:00 PM
Would love to see a pic of your custom top of the wall gaff set up! Nice catch!!

Skunk City
05-08-2017, 03:29 PM
Wow! Impressive invasive!

JDTuna
05-08-2017, 04:01 PM
Very nice flatty!

Fishinfire
05-08-2017, 09:14 PM
Let me clarify. LOL! forgot to mention the 3/0 hook is on my medium action 6' Uglystick spooled with 15 lb Spiderwire braid.

Also the invasive species was not returned to the water. It was given to a friend of mine. He says that flatheads are his freshwater lobster. Swears the flesh is white as can be and is similar in texture to lobster when broiled.

thmyorke1
05-08-2017, 10:32 PM
Let me clarify. LOL! forgot to mention the 3/0 hook is on my medium action 6' Uglystick spooled with 15 lb Spiderwire braid.

Also the invasive species was not returned to the water. It was given to a friend of mine. He says that flatheads are his freshwater lobster. Swears the flesh is white as can be and is similar in texture to lobster when broiled.

Good news, the panfish population of that lock thanks you :)

NorthJerzyG
05-09-2017, 12:32 PM
Congrats!!! That's a beast!! ITS A GOONCH, lol..........