2/28/2017 Delaware River Report, Ramapo R. and the first fish of 2017.

[MudCat08]

Having all these warm weeks recently obviously meant that fishing had to be done! As I saw almost everyone on here catching stuff, I had to join in the fun.

Last night went to the Delaware River in hopes of my first 2017 fish being a walleye. Didn't matter what size - but it was not meant to be. I arrived to a flooded scene with faster, very murky and muddy water. No bites, no fish all night from 7pm-10pm. Warm night though.

Today went over to the Ramapo in hopes of some fish and managed to find a few. First 2017 fish ended up being a decent 13.5" Fallfish. Followed by a nice 10.75" perch. Ended up catching 5-6 fish total, of which 2 were perch and 3-4 were fallfish. Fish were biting strong when a brief period of rain started.

Yesterday was a nice day to be catching fish, but you can't always catch fish on nicer days it seems!

[thmyorke1]

Both beautiful fish, man. What bait for the fallfish? Im guessing crawlers? Or they come off a lure?

[Jigman13]

That fallfish would look great with a 6/0 hook in its back lol

[NorthJerzyG]

Nice catches!! I crossed the D the other day and it was looking blown out for sure!

[MudCat08]

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

Both beautiful fish, man. What bait for the fallfish? Im guessing crawlers? Or they come off a lure?

Yea i had to use worms for all these guys today. In the summer and fall I get fallfish on lures when they are super active.

That fallfish would look great with a 6/0 hook in its back lol

With a 13"+ fallfish i'd probably use 8/0 circles for Big D catfish! or maybe even musky

I'm going to wait for the Delaware to calm down a bit in April until i attempt walleye there again (and Shad, because that is a brand new goal for this year!)

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by MudCat08

Last night went to the Delaware River in hopes of my first 2017 fish being a walleye. Didn't matter what size - but it was not meant to be. I arrived to a flooded scene with faster, very murky and muddy water. No bites, no fish all night from 7pm-10pm. Warm night though.

Yeah, I visited the Delaware on Sunday. The water was very high, chocolate-milk brown, and there was a tremendous amount of debris floating down river. I guess there must have been some powerful storms North of us.

I haven't had much time to fish this year, but I'm not stressing about it, yet. It's early and it's only going to get better from here out. There will be plenty of time to land the big ones.

.

[Jigman13]

Curious if any of that high big D water is getting pumped into the NJ reservoirs that are epically low. Maybe not the valley as I think dam repair plans are in place. Spruce and others could use a drink for sure

[JimmyL]

Are fallfish big shiners or something totally different?

[MudCat08]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Are fallfish big shiners or something totally different?

Fallfish are basically a larger species of minnows. They're also called chubs, and in Europe chubs are considered a sport fish much like bass are over here.
Fallfish are indeed related to shiners, but also suckers and carp (all are in the minnow family).
All minnows have tons of sharp bones and are not the best for eating. But they make great bait! Predatory fish love them.