Mercer lake
 

Went up yesterday searching for musky after seeing 3 huge ones there last week. We came across one sitting on top of the water and threw some lures at him. He would turn and chase for about 2 feet then say screw it. We were able to get within about a foot of him and realized something was wrong. Had a big gash across his head. Either a prop or a bigger fish(doubtful tho, this one went easily 45") I even threw it a live perch and nothing. Don't really have any musky lures so I just threw some big spinners and an Alabama rig today. Nothing, but did see 2 more huge fish, one that jumped clear out of the water. Exploring the lake little I had no idea it was so full of life. Gigantic bait balls everywhere. This lake is loaded with gizzard shad. Got frustrated and decided I would try for bass for the last hour of daylight and it was game on. Got five bass all at least 3#. 3 on a 4" senko and 2 on a giant 2 blade buzz bait. Can't wait to get back out and target bass for a full day there.

Re: Mercer lake
 

Liveline one of those gizzard shad!!!!!

Re: Mercer lake
 

Senko works real well there. Got 4 nice bass on Sunday myself using a senko along with a ton of gizzard shad when throwing worms or trout mags

Re: Mercer lake
 

They are pretty big ones too I remember when I used to fish there you would see big schools of them circling around and making quite abit of ruckous! Always seemed to see them mostly in the evening or on drizzly kinda days. Prob def good muskie bait!!!

Re: Mercer lake
 

I know where I'm going this weekend if I get a few minutes to myself.

Re: Mercer lake
 

It sucks they throw you out of there at dusk, I'd really like to fish there at night.

Re: Mercer lake
 

they used to issue night fishing permits for there. don't know if they still do.

Re: Mercer lake
 

Haven't been there yet this year, been concentrating on Assunpink but I fished there many nights last year after 9 pm and no one ever bothered me. Took 4 or 5 bass last year between 19" & 22". Best for me are deep, gold lipless cranks. Mercer can be hard but if you hit the right pattern, wow.

Re: Mercer lake
 

Every fish I've caught at mercer has been solid. Some of the swirls I was getting behind my buzz bait were epic. Had a 5 lb'er last year on a chatterbait.

Ps. I can't stand assunpink. There are really nice fish there but that place is a damn mob scene. I'd rather fish stone tavern or rising sun.

Re: Mercer lake
 

I live 2 minutes from Assunpink and this year my time's been limited. Gotta be on the Pink by 4:30 or 5 am or forget it. If you think Mercer is good now you shoulda been around in the mid 80's before they put the marina in....you woulda been impressed. Mercer was relatively unknown and loaded with bass. Back in the 80's we used to sneak into swimming river reservoir. Best place I ever bass fished in Jersey in my life. Got tired of ducking the Holmdel police.....back when I was much younger and faster.