Finding Pike or Bass in the Passaic River

[fishin4fun]

one thing i realized reading back as far as last year, all the good catches and locations are by way of kayak...

[FASTEDDIE29]

Hmmmmm, you would have an advantage if you had a kayak of course. A kayak is not mandatory to find these fish. They stock off the bridges in most cases, if you find a bridge youll find PIKE eventually. Passaic river banks are nice and dry right now, you can walk quite a long way along the banks. Start here, passaicriverbasin.com, youll find some access points and parks on this site. TIGHT LINES, GOOD LUCK!!!

[Webstersigam]

One thing I've learned by reading all these posts is that Skunk City could be a kayak guide on the Pasaic River. Because of his posts I've recently purchased a kayak for my own fishing needs.

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by Webstersigam

One thing I've learned by reading all these posts is that Skunk City could be a kayak guide on the Pasaic River. Because of his posts I've recently purchased a kayak for my own fishing needs.

LOL I wouldn't say I am on THAT level yet, but I do have a good 4 or 5 spots from Bloomfield Ave. to below Dundee Dam to Belleville that are usually free-of-da-skunk. The kayak has helped, but I have a few spots from land that almost ALWAYS produce at least some nice Smallies. Bing maps and Google maps ARE YOUR FRIEND! Lots of paddling without catching fish, internet research, exploring, trespassing, making fishing buddies and definetly a lot of luck lol. These Pike frustrated the crap out of me for a while til I figured them out. They are a challenge, yet a badass fish to catch and land.

Glad I inspired you to pick up a yak though! Got in it for less than $250 and so far still under $400 with my modifications, you can't beat that for all the fish that have ended up flopping around in the bottom of it!

[The Dominator]

Not true about Kayak, Although you can cover more ground easier etc. I have been hammering Pike from the banks all year if you look at my biggest 45" monster was caught from the bank this year (I was just contacted by the NJ Dept of Fish & Game) they want to use it on their website. Biggest pike caught in many years. I have probably caught over 50 pike this year from the banks and besides the monster 45" ...10 to 15 from 34" to 38". You have to put in the work walking the banks ,then you will find your own special spot it takes time keep trying.

[The Dominator]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...Posted&userID=

[njbassman]

I have found the guys at Meltzers in Garfield friendly and knowledgable when looking for what to use for the diff species in the river... as far a where to go I think the one guy already said it best... look on the map for what looks under fished and start there.... lots of swampy areas that are usually unaccessible are dry enough to hike into this summer... might take some drivin around and investigating but you will find a good spot

[buzzbaiter]

Originally Posted by The Dominator

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...Posted&userID=

I know that tire!

[fishin4fun]

i guess im just not in the right area to walk the banks, there is no way to walk the banks around here...high tide eliminates any bank, and low tide is just a muddy mess, most likely will get stuck in the mudd trying to walk through it...i refuse to go to jail and or get fined for tresspassing as well..

Originally Posted by The Dominator

Not true about Kayak, Although you can cover more ground easier etc. I have been hammering Pike from the banks all year if you look at my biggest 45" monster was caught from the bank this year (I was just contacted by the NJ Dept of Fish & Game) they want to use it on their website. Biggest pike caught in many years. I have probably caught over 50 pike this year from the banks and besides the monster 45" ...10 to 15 from 34" to 38". You have to put in the work walking the banks ,then you will find your own special spot it takes time keep trying.

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by fishin4fun

i guess im just not in the right area to walk the banks, there is no way to walk the banks around here...high tide eliminates any bank, and low tide is just a muddy mess, most likely will get stuck in the mudd trying to walk through it...i refuse to go to jail and or get fined for tresspassing as well..

I am from Nutley, so I know what area of the river you are talking about. Downstream of the Dundee Dam is tidal and in my opinion, is best fished during the spring and fall Striper run. Look into the river in Fairfield, Wayne, Lincoln Park and Pine Brook.