Not catching anything, I need some help.

[Jake Owen]

Hey guys, My name is Jay Cohen. I recently moved to Rutherford, I fish from the shore, no boat, no fishfinder. I catch and release, I pick up trash. I leave no footprints.

I used to fish a lot when I was younger, and am just getting back into it. Had to learn my baitcaster all over again. I use a Curado, and a Falcon Cranker. Mostly throw cranks, but learning other things. I have a little ultra light that I use for finesse under trees and things. Will soon pick up another rig for frogs and jigs.
I grew up next to the Swimming River Reservoir in Lincroft, and I knew every inch of that place, and I knew what the fish liked. I would love to go back there, but they used 9/11 as an excuse to keep people out.

I have been fishing a little bit in the Passaic, south of Dundee. I caught a little white perch, and three tiny smallies. I was there this evening in a little spot in a neighborhood in Wallington. Fish were jumping, and boiling up everywhere.I could'nt catch anything! I tried many lures, top water sammie, popper, a frog, a big fat slow crankbait, spinners, spoons, square bill, jerk baits, senko. Lost two good lures to a tree, then went home.

I have also been going up to the Ringwood area, and trying a few of the ponds and lakes up there. I caught two dinks in Green Turtle, before a bear scared me away. I caught two sunnies in the river that leads into Monksville. I know they call it Skunksville, but I thought I would give it a try. I would like to make the hike to the other side of where the timber is, just don't know if it would be worth the effort, and now I'm scared of bears. I would also like to fish off the dam, in the deep part. Not sure If I'm allowed? Probably no bears there.

So I don't know if all my lures suck, if I suck, if my locations suck. I am getting really frustrated. I just want to catch a fish.

I have been fishing for largemouth most of my life. I would love to catch a pike, a muskie or a Walleye, but a big bass would make me very happy.

Any words of encouragement? Iaconellis "Don't Give Up" has been resounding in my head.

[Bill Willix]

Don't give up sometimes it is good to down size and go with your ultralight and some smaller soft plastics. Gulp makes some great littler soft plastic minnows about 3 inches long that would work great in those ponds. Go as early in the day as you can or in the evening. I know it is scary if you aren't use to bears but they really do not want to hurt you. Just try and make noise when walking in areas where you expect them to be. If it makes you feel more comfortable they do make mace for bear attacks. Good luck.

[23cardinal]

Lot of the local (ring wood) is very weedy, so some salamander action, some senko, or the little fish gulps work too. Maybe a scum frog early or late. That little river into monksville is a great trout stream spring and fall. If your local, lot of guys swear some of the smaller lakes with less fishing pressure are better. Fish aren't as spooked. What ever u fish, go with where ur comfy and safe. Could always walk pompton lake, or ramapo. Dunno where your at, exactly, but don't be afraid to dip a line everywhere. I hit a lmb behind the holiday inn in Wanaque last week- fish live in lots of strange places
Monksville u can't fish from the damn, but if u head north of the boat launch there's a big drop off. Maybe give some herring swimming lessons. There's also on the west side an old boat laudnch that u can shore fish from. Near the dam. I don't do well over in stump city, but I see a lot of guys there. Prob fish there.
As for gators- know there are big ones in pompton lakes. If you find the secret to Muskies, let me know.
Edit-pompton lake is undergoing soil remediation by dupont
Dunno what access will be like
Keep ur head up, we all have slumps and bumps-beats working!

[liveitup1.75liter]

If ur fishin prime time in am or pm I'd go BIG!!! Try a rapala skeeter walk n bounce ur rod tip back n forth to get that irresistible walk the dog action.. faster can be better 2 for reaction bites that are savage..(trow in a long pause here n there) at least when u go big u no the fish see ur offering up to u n ur retrieve to get em to go!!! Some of my biggest LG mouths were caught burning musky lures

[Jake Owen]

Thanks for the advice guys. I had another weekend of no fish, anger and frustration. Tried two new lakes. Too many bucket brigades, obnoxious people lighting off fireworks, throwing shit in the water, and the liter is overwhelming. I do not enjoy going to places like this. I am starting to think the fish are just not there. I have not even seen anyone catch a fish in any of the lakes i've been to, except the bucket brigade with half a dozen dead perch on a stringer, that they caught with live bait. I might be done. If I ever fish again, it will be back at my home reservoir, where there is none of this bullshit. I'll risk the ticket.
Later,
Enjoy your summer.

Sorry Ike

[jimmythegreek]

go on craigslist and get a cheapo POS kayak and start fishing some better waters. shore fishing in this state is tough unless you got good spots. the passaic is a good shore fishery but I honestly wouldnt bother fishing anymore if i couldnt use a boat. As said sunrise and sunset are prime time and when all else fails bring a second rod and use a slip bobber and catch a few fish, shiners/worms always work for bass/panfish

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by Jake Owen

Thanks for the advice guys. I had another weekend of no fish, anger and frustration. Tried two new lakes. Too many bucket brigades, obnoxious people lighting off fireworks, throwing shit in the water, and the liter is overwhelming. I do not enjoy going to places like this. I am starting to think the fish are just not there. I have not even seen anyone catch a fish in any of the lakes i've been to, except the bucket brigade with half a dozen dead perch on a stringer, that they caught with live bait. I might be done. If I ever fish again, it will be back at my home reservoir, where there is none of this bullshit. I'll risk the ticket.
Later,
Enjoy your summer.

Sorry Ike

It appears our buddy has written off fishing .