Smaller Lakes and pond in North Jersey

[jimmi413]

I've hit the streams and smaller lakes and have gotten my stockie fishing fix for the year. Now that its out of the way, its time to move to the real spring fishing! Due to the colder weather we were having I had been frequenting mostly smaller Lakes and ponds in hopes the water temp was a little better and found moderate success every where I went. Plenty of crappie, trout, perch, small bass and pickerel. Most of my consistent catches were with tube jigs "very under rated around here!" Had great days in coves on Lake Hopatcong, Furnace Lake, Cranberry Lake, Green Turtle Pond, and Jefferson Pond. I know there is plenty more great spots in Northern Jersey so let me know where your luck has been. I am particularly interested in knowing where the Big bass are hitting!? Of course all advice or fun conversation is welcome too.

[AndyS]

Welcome to the site. I think we have a pretty well rounded group here, don't forget to keep an eye on your Private Message box.

[jimmi413]

http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/jimmi413/fishin/

[JOHN D]

my all time favorite lake to fish is blue lake in sterling forrest, it is a little ways up into new york, but is ts well worth the ride. ive caught some of my biggest bass there they are also very abundent. some other fish in there are BIG walleye and sick amounts of pickrel. ive never been there and got the skunk. the best bait for blue lake is a stick type jerk bait like a rapala. not quite shure about the dyrections, ive been there so many times i dont think about it anymore but when going there you pass davisis and ime shure they know know. if you go, there will be a small sign saying blue lake leading to a dirt road, its easy to miss so watch out.

[jimmi413]

So I was trying to come down Rt 80 in Rockway during rush hour after dropping my wife off at work when it occurred to me that I had a pole in trunk! I figured why sit in traffic for an hour or more when I could just fish locally until the traffic breaks! "genius!!" I made a quick exit and headed to to Rockway river in town to get in a few casts but it was way to crowded with stockie junkies so I moved on to spot #2. I went back up the road to Mt Hope pond just at the right time when the sun was low. Hooked into a couple small bows then out of now where "BOOM!" a 3lb Pickerel crushed my little trout spinner! After taking the drag on my light crappie rod and reel I got it on shore. Not bad for an hours worth of fishing and it definitely beats sitting in rush hour traffic! Moral of the story... keep a pole in your car if you don't already :)
Pics are on my previously posted link

[jimmi413]

Thats what I'm talking about!

[ChaosStarter]

That's why I keep 4 poles in my car. Ya never know. :D


I've caught ok at Hopatcong, still want a hybrid out of there.
I caught this 3.7lb'er at Jefferson last fall.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/67530_161033817250732_100000323453308_368532_33259 08_n.jpg

[jimmi413]

Hybrids are out in full force right now. Especially at night on Hopatcong. I got to get in there soon myself. Use heavy hooks or those monsters will bend them! They make a wally or a smally fight feel like a wet sock by comparison! Good luck!

[jimmi413]

5.5lb 24" Smallie pulled out of Swartswood Lake 5/31/11