[flyboy1]

Northern Pike can be caught from the newark/nutley/lyndhurst area of the Passaic toward Dundee falls/lake (garfiedl) all the way to 2 Bridges (great swamp area) and into the Pompton river all the way up to Pompton Lake area.

I have personally caught Northern Pike in all these areas. The best area being Dundee lake (above the dundee falls/along rt21) in the back channels of the islands which I accessed by portable canoe. I have landed many 36inch plus Northern Pike as well as very nice size smallies to boot in this area.

Shore Areas of the Passaic into Pompton that have produced well for me was 2 bridges areas and beginning part of Great swamp area.

The best places to search for Pike are areas along the shore line are inlet areas or pockets that have no current/very little current. Pike are ambush predators and dont like to exert energy fighting current so they will find areas that are slow and sluggish waiting to ambush prey.

Bait of choice for Pike. I personally use 6" silver spoons and double jointed rapala's (fire tiger color) also I switched the stock treble hooks on the rapalas to 2 to 3 time bigger ones. I use only 30lb braid w/ 6" 20 or 30lb steel leader. Ironically this setup does not prevent me from catching smallies as well.

Somebody was asking about Pia Costa Lake.. You do not need a permit to fish Pia Costa Lake. Its best to park by the school and just walk around to the lake. I am not a resident and I usually park in the recreation area during the early months (Jan, feb, march, april) when the recreation lake is closed. Ive never had a problem with the POPO yet knock on wood. I have talked to many people that claim they had caught giant pike 40" plus. I have only recently caught the Pike I mentioned earlier (20 something inches) at Pia Costa.


Since I have provided some very good info for catching Pike can someone give some info on how and where to fish for Stripers in the Passaic. I have never caught a striper yet and I would like to accomplish this year.