Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Took a tour of the Raritan river this morning to see what was happening. Looked for Smallies on the river today and the feed bags were definitely on. Topwater, topwater, topwater from 7-1030 am. Not very big fish but a ton of fun on top. Zara spooks and chug bugs did the damage. I think I caught about 20-25 cookie cutter Smallies on this trip, all average sized 9-14 inches. Fun none the less on light gear. Looked high and low for the Godmother of all river Smallies but couldn't find her. Phenom weather today. Go get em fellas.

TIGHT LINEZ!!!
http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pstcd5vceh.jpg
http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psoedtnqmf.jpg
http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psqyrpjlna.jpg

P.S. Didn't see any signs of garbage or tires in any of the areas i traveled this morning. Bait fish everywhere.............:D

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Yeeessssss! Love the bronze. Good stuff FE! How was the water level? Did it drop already??

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

fast Eddie takes the bronze!!!!!!you are on a roll

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Awesome!

Went there a couple weeks ago to try it out. Threw a bright inline spinner and caught baby smallies all day long.

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4iynclqh.jpg

Forgot to mention I ran into an Eastern Spiny Soft shell over in the Finderne area this morning as well! Cool looking turtle that I haven't seen in a very long time! It was a biggun too!

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

,


That's a very rare find.
The species maps only show a small population in Cumberland County.

http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/r...31rangemap.gif

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

I know, I know! I did a google search turtle Id while I was staring at the specimen! An Eastern Spiny Soft shell it was! Pretty crazy how all animals travel!

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Bronze fest and a rare turtle! Very cool, Eddie!

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

The Lady RARITAN be yielding more and more each day! Curious if that turtle has found itself a mating partner. Def a very cool find. Never saw one before. Had giant snapping turtles pop up next to me many times on the ribber. Luckily my waders are brown otherwise I'd be that guy with the mean streaks! Lol...

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

glad to see you fishing more and working less!!

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Wow those fish are much lighter in color than the Passaic smallies. Very healthy looking. Nice reward on the top waters! Eddie do the smallies ever go for polish rubbers?

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Great lookin fizz !! 2nd soft shell I have seen on the river. Sitting here burning up my eyeballs watching fish ladder video :D

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Very light in color. Most fish were caught in 2 feet of somewhat fast water!

Yes! They'll crush the rubbers especially in the colder months! And at night right now!

Re: Morning ToPwAtEr SMALLIES 7/11
 

Love dem river smallies...those little guys don't know they are little either. Hit lures as big as them and fight like hell. Sounds like a lot of fun to me my friend.