~*~ Spruce Run 06-20-2015 ~*~

[Andrushkin33]

Again Spruce Run you might say.

But what can I do. Coming back for my chance to pull out a monsta. This time I thought I will not be denied. Got 3 of my buddies to tag along, got the boat from the park and off we went searching for something that we all can brag about.

Got to the reservoir around 8am for our cast off. Shinners, herring, worms, and assortment of top and bottom lures were stocked. As some of you migt now I am very skiddish when it comes to boats but this day I would not be denied. Some boats were already out and hugging the shorelines. Decision was made to go to the right of the launch area to parts we never explored while shore fishing. First stop was some vegetation and submerged trees by the camp area. We anchored up ( managed to get a cinder block to act as our anchor since none were provided) and lines went in a water. Short time later a largemouth was in a boat. Cookie cutter largemouth that is. Not a bad way to start a day we thought but the weather had a different idea.

Here comes the rain. A vote was casted and hell if we paid for the boat for the whole day we might as well stay the whole day. None wanted to leave so we went on fishing through the rain. Couple of yellow perch were pulled in a boat next. With rain becoming a little heavy we beached the boat and continued to fish of shore with a small catfish reeled in.

Once the rain became a nothing more than a drizzle back in a water we went. Finally we found a little cove that look promising. A lot of submerged trees and branches. Pulled out two more yellow perch and then I got the hit I was waiting for. That pig made a run for the branches but there was no way he will get away from me. With line screaming and rod bending I was working the sucker toward me for what I knew would be my PB something. With a magnificent leap in a air, he showed me a finger with his fin, mouthed off so long sucker and spit my hook back at me like it was a wasted cherry pit. Close to 6 lbs for sure he was a magnificent beast and he played me for a fool. Damn that bass.

Not to be denied we tried to lure him out again but he was long gone. Everyone on the boat was hyped for more lurkers and we soldier on. Catfish bite turned on for the time being with one after another being pulled in. Finally found another cove and settled on the small piece of land watching multiple fish doing their best jumping in air and splashing around. More catfish were caught as well as some more perch and bass.

At last found another cove that looked promising. Off the start landed couple more perch and then .......

Another hit we were waiting for. Pole almost flew out of my friends hand when that monsta hit and line was screaming again. Right away we knew it to be a pike and fight was on. For about 5 minutes my friend wrestled with a beast and finally managed to get it to the boat. Just when we were about to bring him in, he made the last dash and line broke. Second monsta of the day was lost to the unforgiven waters.

We continued on and brought the boat back around 5pm.

Once we got some food we got back to the shore lines for more fishing. Had couple of COs swing by to check us out and make sure everything was in order. Great guys was a pleasure talking to them.

Overall totals for the day were 3 bass caught, 10 yellow perch and 10 catfish.

Great full day of fishing. Have to do that again for sure.

Tight Lines.

Andre

[huntcountypussbuck]

Sounds like a fun day Andre. Good job not giving up.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Great detailed report Andre. Sounds like you and the crew had a great time out there. I can't believe the boat didn't come with an anchor, seems a bit strange. Too bad about losing those MONSTERS! You'll be back and you'll get them next time. Any size to those yellow perch and other fish? Good stuff! Keep em coming!

[Sleeper-6]

I think I saw you guys, Under the powerlines and heading for the left shoreline in the pontoon? I was working the opposite bank for a while. You did better than me, I managed one 2lb Largemouth for the day. Fished from 5:30 to 1 and called it a day.

[Andrushkin33]

Eddy,

Only catfish were in good size and we actually kept a couple. Bass went from 10 to 15 and perch were all about 8.

Sleep,

Actually we were in a john boat. But I know the pontoon you were talking about. They came out after us and pretty much blew by us going toward those lines We were on the other side having a blast.

Sorry for the wall of text that I left. Too much adrenaline trying to describe everything. That and point that I actually didn't flip over on the boat even though we came close to 3 times. Managed to run it aground once when we were not paying attention and hit the bottom. And to top it off managed to get stalled for about 10 minutes before getting the engine started again.

Since I am a freak when it comes to keeping the detailed account of where we wished and what was caught more spots were added to my spruce run collection.

When we when we went to get more bait we ran into Zach, who was coming back from Round Valley tourney. He managed to land a 18.5 laker so waiting on report and some fish porn from him.

Andre

[FASTEDDIE29]

There used to be some rather large Perch in that place. Wonder if anyone has caught any recently! You da man Andre!

[Chrisper4694]

Sounds like a good day that's what rain gear is for. Though nightmares coming from huge fish lost! I'm about to eat and go avenge my last Muskie hunt. I hope I don't have to post another 'almost got em' report!

[Andrushkin33]

Chris,

You'll get them. There got to be one hungry enough to strike and why not today.

Eddy,

I am sure they out there. I don't use fishfinders since well, I more of a try and error kind of guy. Turns out my nose for fish still works since every spot I picked out we landed at least one. From all spots I think we only skunked at two so good day all around.

One spot we picked was loaded with pretty much everything. Pike, Perch, Catfish, Bass and Carp were all round us.

Spots for the pikeathon were marked so you will have some competition coming your way.

Fish on

Andre

[Eskimo]

.

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

There used to be some rather large Perch in that place. Wonder if anyone has caught any recently! You da man Andre!

There used to be a lot of really big Yellow Perch. People were anticipating the state record to fall from one of the perch from that lake.

But then the big perch just stopped appearing. There are still Yellow Perch in the lake, just not the big schools of humpback jumbos perch there used to be. They're mostly small-medium sized and skinny.

I'm not a fisheries biologist, but if I had to guess what changed I would blame:

a) White perch - I've noticed their population creeping up every year. Maybe the yellows just aren't competing well with the whites.

b) High fishing pressure. Spruce Run is fished hard, every day, all year long. It's suburban location along Route 78 and accessible shoreline guarantee it will receive a lot of anglers and not just the locals. I've noticed people driving all the way from New York to fish there. They're not novice city-folk learning to fish, but slavic-speaking, hard-core anglers who came to New Jersey to fill their freezers!

If it weren't for the constant efforts of the Fish & Wildlife Services to keep it stocked, that fishery would probably have been reduced to sunnies and carp a long time ago.

I suspect the Yellow Perch just aren't living long enough to become jumbos.


.

[Andrushkin33]

Eskimo,

To our surprise not a single white perch was landed even though couple of days before I hit a large school of them.

As far as yellow perch goes. Perch was located in 4 different locations with only one of them being an easy shore access. 3 other spots would require you a very nice hike through the woods.

As far as Slavic speaking fisherman go, trust me hiking through the woods is the last thing on their mind. They would go for an easy shore access and stay at one spot throughout the day.

But I agree place is fished heavily.

Andre