Lake Hopatcong

[icebadger]

the wind has been a problem but i think that the water temps have been on the cooler side and the fish are reacting to the swing in the water temps more than the surface wind even tho the wind is contributing to the temp swing. i think that there is other factors making the fish act weird, ever since the ice came off the crappie bite was insane but that shut down fast at most places. then the nite bite go of to an early start than in years past. they were getting fish early in april. the herring have been doing the normal mating dance but at strange times like 10:00pm till around 1:30am on some nights then at later times the next night. the wind makes them stop and the surface fishing is tough because you can not hear or see your lure. the weeds have grown in fast this year and that adds to the problem. the wind pushes the chopped up floating weeds in to different areas and surface fishing is all but impossible even if you are throwing stick baits you are dealing with the salad in the water. i have noticed a increase in the white perch this year as well. they seem to be every where you go. the wind has mellowed at times after sundown but i have found that the wind has been constantly blowing all night more this year than in years past.