Big trout

[tycomps]

Despite being out of commission since June with a respiratory issue 2017 has still been a year of PB's for me. Feeling better now I'm thinking of launching the river rat in the Raritan again to pick up where I left off and target the larger fish being stocked this week. I know where the holes are and leaves are not as much an issue from a boat. The spring stockies were a dime a dozen with gold spinners but I'm thinking the big girls would prefer a larger/slower presentation (like a rapala) going into warmer water with bigger appetites. Any intel from those with experience with the bigger bows is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

[thmyorke1]

Hmmm I'm always looking for advice too.

My plan is to jig and jig and use some floating rapalas (smallest model) and rooster tails.

Stockies in spring hit the weirdest things such as a half senko on a jig before, I don't think these guys would be different.

But surely theres better advice on this board than this.

[AndyS]

You want my advice................wait till November.

[Jigman13]

Pink salmon eggs

[thmyorke1]

Pink salmon eggs

That scent is deadly- it also attracts fish LOL :D

I still gotta half jar, might use it. But a better idea would be to dip my jigs in the liquid.

[tycomps]

You want my advice................wait till November.

been four months since I wet a line, I'm not waiting another. with luck I'll be out there in November too! :D

[tycomps]

Hmmm I'm always looking for advice too.

My plan is to jig and jig and use some floating rapalas (smallest model) and rooster tails.

Stockies in spring hit the weirdest things such as a half senko on a jig before, I don't think these guys would be different.

But surely theres better advice on this board than this.


I'm thinking that the larger fish, presented with a new world full off potential pray will instinctively go after the largest meal requiring the least effort. A rapala fits the bill, I'm thinking about slow trolling a few off my stern, (the larger size may discourage the smaller fish), and throwing oversized spinners to the holes and laydowns as I pass them.

PS- Andy only gets small trout with those maribou's! :p

[FASTEDDIE29]

Where and when are they stocking fall Trout in the main stem of the Raritan? Are you fishing for the big holdovers that are already in the water?

I fish plugs, jigs and sometimes bait if I'm desperate. But I'm all for plugs! That twitch twitch boom turns me on!

[tycomps]

Where and when are they stocking fall Trout in the main stem of the Raritan? Are you fishing for the big holdovers that are already in the water?

I fish plugs, jigs and sometimes bait if I'm desperate. But I'm all for plugs! That twitch twitch boom turns me on!

Not main stem, I launch at the confluence, as far as I know that's the last stocking stop on the NB in the fall this year. from there I can cover the NB up to the rt202 bridge (another possible stocking point), and the SB up to Studdiford (possibly the last stocking point on the SB), if anyone knows if they passed over those spots let me know. that's three potential stocking areas, the waters in between them, as well as the wide main stem down to the head dam I can cover. gonna try to get the larger bows they throw in.

[AndyS]

They are hatchery fish, don't over think this one. ANYTHING shiny.

[antgogz]

Believe it or. not i caught most of my big trout on worms jigged off the bottom in deep holes last fall. I also caught one one on a yozuri pin minnow.

[tycomps]

They are hatchery fish, don't over think this one. ANYTHING shiny.

true, thanks.

[Jigman13]

That scent is deadly- it also attracts fish LOL :D

I still gotta half jar, might use it. But a better idea would be to dip my jigs in the liquid.

Toss it and buy a new one. They don't hold very well once opened and stored. You'll start to see brown marks in them. Cheap enough to got the new route. Pretty sure the sporting life has a good selection.

[Jigman13]

PS- Andy only gets small trout with those maribou's! :p

I've had some really nice fish on marabou jigs. They're my late fall early winter go to when trout fishing. 2nd are pins minnows. Got my pb brown on a pins minnow few yrs back in November. She was 7.3 lbs and released.

[tycomps]

I'm all for plugs! That twitch twitch boom turns me on!

which ones?

shiny gold Luhr Jensen Hot Shot looks interesting

[Jigman13]

which ones?

shiny gold Luhr Jensen Hot Shot looks interesting

CD3 rapalas work well. And they cast a mile on ultra light. Not worth complicating it. Basic approach should suffice. They're hatchery fish. Not the smartest or overly selective.

[shucker]

They are hatchery fish, don't over think this one. ANYTHING shiny.


Diamond jigs!!!!

[tycomps]

Diamond jigs!!!!

on umbrella rigs! :p

[FASTEDDIE29]

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Rapala, Daiwa, Pins Minnow knock offs and jigs! Original floating rap, cd3, husky jerks, xraps, all common plugs that catch Trout! I catch lots of Browns and Tigers, they're usually all on small plugs that are 1.5-2 inches in length. Some go deeper than others! It's all about that twitch twitch! BOOM, Fish-on!!!!!

[tycomps]

Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Rapala, Daiwa, Pins Minnow knock offs and jigs! Original floating rap, cd3, husky jerks, xraps, all common plugs that catch Trout! I catch lots of Browns and Tigers, they're usually all on small plugs that are 1.5-2 inches in length. Some go deeper than others! It's all about that twitch twitch! BOOM, Fish-on!!!!!

favorite color/pattern?

[logs22]

The fall breeder I caught this past year at Echo Lake was hooked on a husky jerk 6 Blue ghost pattern. That fish wasn't caught until A cold day in Feb. though so not sure if that would be a productive lure this time of year.

[tycomps]

The fall breeder I caught this past year at Echo Lake was hooked on a husky jerk 6 Blue ghost pattern. That fish wasn't caught until A cold day in Feb. though so not sure if that would be a productive lure this time of year.

don't remember you posting that, how big?

ps- 26" 7.75lb from a 'pond' near echo last spring (not my fish)

[thmyorke1]

don't remember you posting that, how big?

http://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94885

[BT67]

I'll be out on the Ramapo tomorrow with a buddy, will report what we saw and hopefully caught;)

[logs22]

don't remember you posting that, how big?

ps- 26" 7.75lb from a 'pond' near echo last spring (not my fish)

I have seen that pic and know where it came out of, I still have trouble believing it.