[bulletbob]

NJ DEC has a great record concerning its fresh water stocking program, and I imagine they know more about the water quality,structure and habitat in those lakes than we realize. They probably won't put SMB in lakes where they will soon die due to environmental stresses. I imagine though that most of those fingerlings will soon become a meal for a LMB, Pickerel, Catfish or even a good size Perch or Crappie... I hope the central NJ SMB take and do well. I personally find them much more aggressive and willing to hit than LMB, and they are great fighters. Central NJ guys will need to adjust their tactics somewhat from what works for LMB, but I have never found SMB tough to catch.. They will surprise guys used to LMB however. I catch a lot of very big SMB on very small panfish jigs right in the rocks - something that doesn't happen with LMB,,,, bob