Pompton River weekend report: Pike, plus some blood for good measure

[Skunk City]

Been trying some different spots in hopes of finding a big boy, so I got out in the kayak for a few hours friday night, saturday early morning, and sunday late afternoon. Ended up with 3 Pike each day, with a few Smallies and Largemouth mixed in. No monsters, but mostly average fish (low 20's) with a few healthy looking smaller guys hitting my big lures. Fish were taking crankbaits in the middle of the day and topwater in the morning and sunset. The pictured smallmouth CRUSHED a spook off a weed bed and won Best Fight for the weekend .








As for the blood part, as I landed the 2nd of my Pike saturday morning, homeboy wasnt too happy and threw a tantrum in the boat. I looked down and had some new jewelry in my hand. Having a pissed Pike on one treble and your hand on the other was fun to say the least . Got the Pike off, then had a buddy help remove it using the good old fishing line removal technique. 20lb test snapped the first time (ouch), but 65lb braid got the job done and hook out. I suggest becoming familiar with it, because you WILL need it at one point if you are as avid a fisherman as I am! Cleaned, bandaged up, and back on the water to do more damage. Enjoy.

[basspilot]

Ouch! I've seen that method removing the hook but looks like you got yours burried pretty deep. Nice fish though.

[antgogz]

nice work man....always wanted to fish the pompton. glad to see you hooked pike there. healthy looking ones as well.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Awesome Report! Nice Fish!! Way To Save Your Finger And Keep Fishing!!! Wow!!!

[NorthJerzyG]

Weres the after pic, lol. That had to hurt but can't stop while theyre hittin!!!

[msgdan]

Very nice catching, Skunk !!!!! That right there is the reason I NEVER use a lure with a treble hook on it in a kayak for pike, bluefish or pretty much anything that could and usually does go crazy when trying to release it, especially that most of the times I am alone.

Way to get it taken care of and heading back out!!

Great job!

Danny V

[lunkertaker]

Nice post

Yeah it happens, sooner or later, ya get pierced, if ya want it or not

For me 4 times- 3 in the arm and once in the lip- all with the barb beneath the skin and once coming out again( that's in and out again in the lower forearm) with a 10 lb raging bluefish attached OUCH

3 out of 4 times to the hospital, with the bluefish was able to cut the hook just below the barb...thank God for a set of strong plyers that could cut metal hooks

[SkillfulAngler908]

Ouch man, that happened to me once when I was a kid. I came home on my bike with a treble buried in my thumb and my old man numbed it with ice and yanked it out lol. Nice fish though. I have only been up the pompton twice, around feb or march and I didnt have much luck. It looks great though, I def want to get out and explore it during the warm weather.

[Red]

20lb test snapped the first time

That hook was deep, you got balls man to go at it a second time...

I did the same thing, not as deep and my buddy was dying at the chance to pull that hook out, (evil bastard)...

Went to the ER and did it the sissiy way...

Ouch!!.....That sucks....good thing you didn't go into shock while out on the water......BTW, Nice fish!!