Monksville Midnight Smallies/LMB 6/6-6/7

[Skunk City]

Hit Monksville Reservoir Monday night aiming for Walleyes. Unfortunately we didn't catch any 'eyes, but were pleasantly surprised by an awesome Smallmouth and Largemouth bite.

Got on the water shortly after sunset. Within 10 minutes, I hooked up with a monster 7" Sunny. While sunnies aren't bad, big fish are what we want. At about 11:30pm, I hooked up with my first Smallmouth, which measured 16". Within the next few hours, I hooked up with two more smallies, the biggest being a solid 18". I also added two Largemouths, the bigger being 15". My buddy landed 1 Sunny and 1 smallie that measured at 14". All fish were caught on jointed floating Rapalas, except for the biggest Largemouth, which was caught on a big floating stickbait Rapala.
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[AndyS]

Great way to beat the heat !! By the time I got off Merrill Creek at noon I was baked, sun beating down, ouch.
I'll take big smallies as a second place prize any day, thanx for the report !

[Skunk City]

Thanks Andy. It was absolutely perfect out there last night. Cloudless sky, no bugs, perfect temps and TONS of baitfish at the surface (and subsequent blowups from hungry big guys). The only "issue" was weeds, which have exploded since I was there last month.

A lot of people nickname the place "Skunksville", but the night time fishing there is second to none. I've never been on a more active body of water at night.

[catfishonthelake]

I really need to buy a boat. I will, as soon as a I have a place to put it. Nice job man.

[Skunk City]

I really need to buy a boat. I will, as soon as a I have a place to put it. Nice job man.

I've been pretty lucky that my buddy picked up a 14-footer over the winter, but if your short on space like I am, a decent kayak will definetly make due. I've had some great days in my 'yak, including this passed saturday when I put 13 fish in the boat in a little less than 4 hours. There are some pretty secluded spots I can paddle into that my buddies boat can't get close to.

[johnnyc08]

I really need to buy a boat. I will, as soon as a I have a place to put it. Nice job man.
i got offered a fully decked out 12' bass boat AND trailer (1 year old) for $1500...too bad the money coming in = the money going out and i had to pass...the guy is the type to buy something, get bored with it sell it for whatever and buy a new one...he spent 4900 just on the boat alone decking it out...NICE boat...ALMOST convinced the wife but just before i called him she backed out :(

[FASTEDDIE29]

Nice catch very nice. How late did you stay out? Sometimes those Walleye dont start biting until midnight or later!!!

[Skunk City]

Nice catch very nice. How late did you stay out? Sometimes those Walleye dont start biting until midnight or later!!!

We fished until about 3am with no Walleye. Trying to get out on Hopatcong at night, as the Walleye bite seems a little more consistant there.

[dopderbeck]

Nice! What areas do you fish there at night and what kind of lights do you need on your boat?

[Skunk City]

They run into the shallows at night chasing the herring. You'll know when you're at a good spot when you hear baitfish jumping, followed by huge splashes. Try all the coves til you find one that's working. I've caught bass in every one. Topwater baits are where its at.

[dboyd101]

Those things were herring? I saw exactly what you were talking about above, this evening. Was incredible. Top water, huh? Looks like I have some lures to go buy. Was it the whole lake? I was shore fishing by the south boat ramp and the shore was lined with bait.

[Skunk City]

Most of the craziness are in the shallows. The whole place is pretty active for the most part. Topwater stickbaits and jointed swimbaits seem to work best for me. I've caught nice Pickerel by the south side ramp.

[dboyd101]

Nice - thanks!