I fish poorly.

[Lard Almighty]

I was hoping to hook up with my first bass of the year. I hit four spots, including one that is always good for a few bass this time of year. Not a scratch! In fact, the only fish I saw all day was one that an osprey swooped down and nabbed (which was awesome). Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, craws, and jigs all came up empty.

I hope this is not going to set the pace for the whole year.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

I was hoping to hook up with my first bass of the year. I hit four spots, including one that is always good for a few bass this time of year. Not a scratch! In fact, the only fish I saw all day was one that an osprey swooped down and nabbed (which was awesome). Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, craws, and jigs all came up empty.

I hope this is not going to set the pace for the whole year.

No way Lard, unexceptable. When in doubt take it down a notch. Small baits with this damn cold water. When I just wana catch fish all day, I use the Blakemore Roadrunner. This thing catches every species out there. The little spinner on the jig head adds some awesome flash. I've been fishing that silly lil lure for 30 years. When in doubt go small, you'll catch em. I feel the same way you do right now but within due time every fish in all nj waters are goin to be on the hunt in a big way. Hang in there dude!!!!!

[GetANet]

Too nice to sit home today, as long as you got out and tried to make it happen that is all that matters in my book. Sooner or later they are gonna start feeding. I have caught some large fish in march so stay with it.

[njfisherman1975]

I was out today too lard...hit a spillway off of route 23 in west Milford. Fished about a half hour and nothing to show...but just being out and hearing birds and moving water was enough to make the trip all worth it! Things will be cranking here in jersey soon enough!

[Rybazłapać]

Likewise for me yesterday. Shiners on the bottom, spinners, Rapalas, senko worms, even night crawlers got me a whole lot of nothing. Would have called it a total loss if I hadn't spotted a bald eagle twice, the second time perched in a tree right across the cove from me. Did see a little swirl right in front of me. Only sign of aquatic life I've seen all year.

[Wilson]

We saw quite a few guys out on the Raritan and the Canal.
Not 1 fish anywhere.

[Moz]

I got out for a bit yesterday too. Wasn't meaning to but I was close to RVR and had the old "whenever" rod in the trunk. Was still pretty iced up in the boat ramp area and I had maybe a 30 yard wide wet area to cast into with some crazy wind. Only thing I got out of it was some time on the water and the realization that I have to grease and oil the cheap reel that's been in my trunk all winter.

[fr0sty]

I've got one of those blakemore roadrunners, but have never caught anything on those! what's the secret to using them? vertical jigging?

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by fr0sty

I've got one of those blakemore roadrunners, but have never caught anything on those! what's the secret to using them? vertical jigging?

I saw Fasteddie's post and had never heard of the Roadrunner. I googled it and there were some great reviews so I bought a few packs from Cabelas. A few 1/8 oz and a few 1/4 oz, in white and chartreuse. They arrived yesterday and I went out this morning to play around with them, my first time on open water this year.

I only fished for about 45 minutes and not a bite. The ones I bought were just undressed heads. I tried one with a skirt on it, then I used the back half of a Rage Tail Thumper and finally a Zoom fluke. I really liked it's action with the fluke. Unfortunately the fish didn't.

I was trying a variety of retrieves. Fast, slow, very slow, steady, slight twitches, jerks. I really didn't stick with anything long enough for a real test though.

Anyway, for those who fish the Roadrunners, how do you like to dress them and fish them?

No need to dress them at all....It is basically a maribou crappie jig w/ a small blade for flash.....cast out, let it sink to the desired depth you are fishing and reel slowly. Every few cranks, pop it like you would a jig....usually the hit is on the fall so be ready for a 'tick' on the line ....watch your line on the fall also for that tick or line movement..it's really an easy bait to fish........this time of the year the slower retrieve is better, but once the water warms a bit and the fish get active, a steady retrieve is an excellent way to fish these great classic proven baits..........White, Chartreuse, Black are always great standard fish catching colors for starters........trout go for the pink head with the white,lime green, or chartreuse feathers..once you find a school of willing crappies, it's lights out........ Good luck Brian!!....FISH ON!!!