Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

The wife and I took the day off yesterday to try to get out on a PM open boat for the striped ones and some blues. Not enough guys so the trip was cancelled. No problem...we put on the waders packed up some lunch 200 lbs of tackle 10 rods and headed to the river. I tend to over pack for these things. Figured we try for some trout and smallmouth. First stop 2 minutes from home on the NB which was supposedly stocked on Wednesday to try to get the wife her first NJ Trout....not a tap or fish in sight. Headed to Duke Island Park to have our lunch and regroup. Decided to hit a little stretch there before leaving. Fed up with the trout thing I switch to small mouth gear and Donna stays with the ultra light for trout. Look upstream and guys lined up as far as we can see so we go down stream a bit a find...of course...trout galore. Donna gets her first NJ Trout (little guy pic below) and then second and third and continues playing with them as I aimlessly throw lures to the smallie empty abyss. So we decide to leave and head to a different spot and bam I'm snagged...on a beast smallie that is. Turns out to be a nice thick 20" fish. (last pic below). Then we head a bit downstream to a part of the main stem and get into several small mouth each as well as find another pod of stockies. The "larger" bow pictured below actually hit a 4" green pumpkin Senko Texas rigged weightless on a 1/0 hook. Fished for a few more hours and had a blast. All smallies caught on Senkos and all trout caught on Panther Martins 1/8 oz Black with yellow dots and gold blade. Some pics to prove it happened.

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

That last smallie looks awesome, sweet fish!

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

My go to lure! Nice SMB

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Nice going Ken

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Look at uncle ken goooo!!! Niceeeeeeeee

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Niiiiiice! That smallie is a bruiser. Love that river. Good trip with the Mrs! A day off well spent for sure!

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

tank smallie!

i am jealous

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Beast of a Smallie @20"! Love those red-eyed specimens as well.

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Yes sir...and I thank you for pointing them out to me. Only thing I have ever caught trout on....except 1 that was on the old black hair jig given to me by Andy. Just two fine examples of the stuff I've learned from all the guys on this site.

Thanks for the comments boys. Can't wait to get out there again.

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

FINALLY photos of FISH !!!!

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Solid plan B Ken!

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Awesome day out on the river, rivers! That's some great action you got into my man! Way to go Ken!!! Beast BRONZEBACK!!! Yea buddy!

Dat ribberz on fire lately!!!! WOW!:D

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Awesome man! Great work on the smallies and bows!

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

Seriously, great stuff Ken !! Learning those local waters is half the fun.
They took out the dams and it went from a carp and catfish cesspool to a great smallmouth and trout fishery. The fish look great, kudos to the photographer also !

Re: Bows and Bronze on the Ole Raritaaaaannnn!
 

That's what it's all about right there!