Resevoir Fishing

[PeteyHD]

Hi All. Fished a local reservoir yesterday from my kayak with absolutely no success. Wind blowing in the am and I threw topwater, spinners, senko, even had some shiners as backup with nothing.

I am usually a salt guy but often fish NE lakes and rivers with success. Realized rocky reservoir fishing is very different. Just a tough day with tough morning conditions or did I do something wrong?

[cantthink0f0ne]

Originally Posted by PeteyHD

Hi All. Fished a local reservoir yesterday from my kayak with absolutely no success. Wind blowing in the am and I threw topwater, spinners, senko, even had some shiners as backup with nothing.

I am usually a salt guy but often fish NE lakes and rivers with success. Realized rocky reservoir fishing is very different. Just a tough day with tough morning conditions or did I do something wrong?

Far from an expert by any stretch, but i've had success on cranks and/or jerkbaits in rocky waters. Just out of curiosity, which reservoir were you on with the kayak? I know the Suez watersheds (Oradell, Tappan, Woodcliff) don't allow boating of any kind, would love to explore some new waters on my kayak.

[Jigman13]

Could've just been an off day with the high pressure front and wind. Things will turn on nicely soon post summer doldrums. Also, if the reservoir you were fishing has a pop of alewife as the primary forage that can limit production using shiners.

[FASTEDDIE29]

It was a rough weekend all over form what I'm hearing. Not a fan of that bright ass full moon when it comes to fishing in general. It may make the toothy critters move but the other species seem to lay dormant. Lots of variables when reservoir fishing. 90% of the fish are in 10% of the res. You'll get em next time.

[Lard Almighty]

The high pressure and wind likely threw them off the bite. The whole weekend was weird, though, typical patterns just didn't seem to work. Small curly tail grubs were the only thing I had any action on.

[Riz]

I agree , the cold front sure doesn't help things. if ya fish after a front downsize and slow down.

[briansnat]

I fished Round Valley all afternoon yesterday and only came up with a 1 lb smallie while lead line trolling for trout. It probably was a tough bite this weekend everywhere.

But specifics about which reservoir you were fishing would be helpful for obtaining advice. Every one is different. Some are rocky, some aren't. Some have plenty of weeds, some don't. The way you fish the Newark sheds would be quite different from the way you fish Round Valley or Merrill Creek.

[PeteyHD]

Sorry.....fished the Haledon reservoir in Franklin Lakes. The wind ended up dying down and turned out to be a nice warm day but no bass action. Saw some kids catching some sunnys but I was looking for the lunkers.

I didn't throw any Cranks but just read that might be a good choice in rocky waters?

[rwp2101]

come to think of it i have never had great luck this time of yr bassin' around the full moon. one exception was one yr up in maine around a frog hatch-- the topwater was on like donkey kong

[NorthJerzyG]

I went there for the first time myself recently. Intended to go after some broodstock kitties but I should have scouted it first. Couldn't even find a place to park let alone figure out how to get the boat in the water, lol. Pulled in, pulled out and hit plan B!