Between jobs chunker - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

JimmyL · #1 07-09-2019, 11:33 AM

I had some unexpected free time in between jobs so I decided to check out a spot in Piscataway that I've fished around many times, but never in this exact specific location.

Given it was 3pm wasn't really expecting much. Luckily, the water is still at good levels and was just a touch stained from the rain in the am. This thing hit my 1/8 bitsy bug paired with artificial hellgramite. AMAZING fight on light action. Has to be my best smallmouth of the year and one of my pb's. I forgot to weigh it, but I measured 17 1/2 inches.

Also saw many sunny beds and fry in the shallows.

thmyorke1 · #2 07-09-2019, 05:29 PM

Perfect, it's a thrill catching one that size. Looks like a heavy fish too.
Now what water did it come from; fast run or deep hole etc?

icebadger · #3 07-09-2019, 09:04 PM

very nice bronzeback i thought that i was the only one using a helgie and bitsy bug combo for smallmouth they work well in the slower deeper water.

AndyS · #4 07-09-2019, 11:36 PM

Nice SMB, I may have to try the imitation hellgramites

JimmyL · #5 07-10-2019, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thmyorke1

Perfect, it's a thrill catching one that size. Looks like a heavy fish too.
Now what water did it come from; fast run or deep hole etc?

It was more of slower, relatively deeper (3 foot or so) stretch like icebadger indicated.

It was actually 1st time using this set up. Inspired by NDyakangler on youtube, he always uses bitsy bugs. I've been using the hellgramite on standard jigs with no luck. It just felt right to pair the two. Brush guard makes lil more snag resistant and the skirt should give more action I thought.

FASTEDDIE29 · #6 07-10-2019, 12:47 PM

Great looking river Bronze!!!

thmyorke1 · #7 07-10-2019, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

It was more of slower, relatively deeper (3 foot or so) stretch like icebadger indicated.

It was actually 1st time using this set up. Inspired by NDyakangler on youtube, he always uses bitsy bugs. I've been using the hellgramite on standard jigs with no luck. It just felt right to pair the two. Brush guard makes lil more snag resistant and the skirt should give more action I thought.

Good idea. NDYakAngler is one of my favorite channels. Great guy that isnt annoying unlike many popular youtube anglers and it also helps he's fishing the world's best smallmouth rivers.

Rickhem · #8 07-11-2019, 02:42 PM

That thing is a football!
Monster fish!
Good job.

JDTuna · #9 07-12-2019, 06:53 AM

Awesome smallie, dude!

Hookmanski · #10 07-12-2019, 11:02 AM

Sweet smallie man, love to see them all fattened up like that!