[catfishonthelake]

The spot I fish on the Passaic was the best I've seen it in a looong time. The water was down and although the banks were still pretty muddy, it was very fishable. I started tossing a BIG perch-colored husky jerk and at first didn't have any love. After snagging that one and busting the lip off getting it out, I switched to a shad color of the same bait. A short while later, I had what was easily a 35-inch pike sniff the bait all the way to the shore without opening its mouth. I took a few more casts, but it didn't show it's face again. A bit later, I hung that lure in a tree. Not wanting to lose any more of my good stuff, I tied on a small saltwater mackerel colored X-Rap. I fished another half-hour and was just about to leave when I felt a small tap as I was reeling. I figured it was just another snag and didn't pull so I could let the bait float out of it. However, as I was waiting I felt a huge headshake that shook my rod. I pulled back but it was too late. After sitting there stunned for second, I realized a fish must have had my lure in its mouth, figured out it wasn't food and shook it free as I was sitting there NOT setting the hook. I would have loved to have had some bait, or more importantly some more time, but I had to head home to write. I fished a total of an hour and a half. I think I would have eventually scored a pike if I kept at it. River was stained, but it always is and I've caught plenty of pike out of the chocolate milk. Water level was fantastic. I'll be back soon.