[basspilot]

Well id agree about what you posted about pike but honestly I've caught them on almost everything. The only thing I haven't seen a pike take in this area is dead bait. I know in other parts of the country they fish dead baits but there is far to much life in the passaic for that tactic to work (atleast from what I've seen anyway). When in doubt drown some XL shiners and throw the big baits on another pole and I'm sure you'll have better success. As far as bass fishing is concerned they are very tempermental. I brake out the bag of tricks sometimes to get them and be veryyyyy patient in cold water but they'll still eat. Swartswood bass fishing isn't easy though so don't get discouraged. Best advice I can give there is bring a fishfinder, search for ledges, and be patient.