Splitrock Yak Trip!

[Hookmanski]

I had never been to Splitrock reservoir before and today I had a morning totally free so I planned to go up there and give it a shot. I got up a bit later than I wanted to (damn alarm) but still made it to the water by 8:30. This was my first trip out on the kayak in a large lake and going into the day I was worried I wouldn't catch that much. I paddled straight across the lake from where I launched and looked right. This has got to be one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the state!

I got to the far side and started fishing. Right away I hooked up with a dinky but beautiful smallmouth. I've been on a smallie kick lately I was targeting them pretty heavily. But that changed a little when I paddled into a cut I found. It was shallow and FULL of life. I saw a school of juvenile yellow perch swim below me, running from a large mouth who was trying to feed on them. I tossed my lure at him and sure enough he ate! It was awesome.

I paddled along the shoreline for the next 4 hours, catching small bass and sunfish here and there. I set the hook on what i thought was a fish as first and then quickly changed my mind and thought I was snagged. NOPE! Turned out to be my PB largemouth. I learned a lesson here though - I pulled out my phone to take a photo, but it had been sitting in a waterproof box in the sun for the last hour so it was overheated and wasn't going to cool off fast enough - so unfortunately I had to release him without taking a photo Still awesome though. He must've been nearly 4.5 pounds.

As the day was coming to a close I caught one more smallie, the nicest of the day for sure, super bronze and he fought really hard. All in all a great day on the water. Learned some lessons, gained some confidence and had a great time. Tight lines all!

[Ken Lyons]

How was the launch?

[thmyorke1]

I believe you, congrats on the pb.

Guess it was on the Ned rig as always :P

[FASTEDDIE29]

Simply beautiful place to fish and spend time on the water. Great catching and congrats on figuring out where the fish are hiding. That place can be very, very tough at times. You da man!!!

[briansnat]

Great place whether you catch fish or not. One NJ's most scenic lakes.

[icebadger]

ah welcome to one of my home waters. i grew up fishing that place glad to hear you got into some fish as well.. the bass can surprise you there the crappies are big also. did you paddle all the way back to the narrows at the north end? the perch are big back there and that is were all the friggin slime darts live too. cool photos of the res.. hope you get a chance to get back for the ice season . p.s. glad to see you wearing a pfd way to go...

[AndyS]

Congrats on the PB SMB from SR !!

You know me I have to ask all the usual questions from the ROCK.
Was it crowded ?
Was the parking lot clean ?
How was the water quality ?

[FishOnKV]

Congrats on the PB! Nice looking smallie as well. Definitely a great place to take the kayak out, even if the fishing is tough at times.

[JDTuna]

Congrats on another successful yak trip!

[NJSquatch]

nice to see the yak is opening up new places for you...

also glad to see the pfd