State fish, Brookie hunt! 1/2/21

[FASTEDDIE29]

Put in about 25,000 steps searching for the state fish yesterday. Most of the areas I fished were void of life even though they looked really promising. 8-9 miles later I stumbled upon a log jam that looked super dark and kind of deep for this little Brook. Through on the micro jig first and a fish swipe at it. Kept trying but they wouldn’t commit. Backed up about 20 feet as I realized they saw my shadow. Through on a barbless micro spinner and finally got em’! This time there was 5-6 fish following the spinner at the same time. Hooked up and landed 6 Brookies on this mission. Nice healthy little guys ranging from 6-8 inches. Tried really hard to find 1 over 9 inches but it never happened. Fun day no doubt. I got to work off some calories and catch the ever elusive State fish, the Brook Trout.

P.S. Luke’s definitely right when he says the state fish should be the Pickeral. Lol! Much easier to find at least.
TIGHT LINEZ!!!

[thmyorke1]

That's a gorgeous brookie Eddie. Brookie hunts are fun although tough on the legs and sanity- they spook so easily!

LOL, speaking of- ever get one of those redfin pickerels in brookie water? Ive yet to find one.

[DanH]

Awesome!

Ive caught the redefines but not in brookie waters!

[NickM221]

Nice Eddie! 8 miles is a haul but its worth it when you find them!

[Mikey topaz]

Aaaaaaa BROOKIE ! I miss those Brookies so purdy

[Hookmanski]

Love me a good brookie mission nice job Eddie! Crazy how you'll find 100 holes you'd think they'd be and have them all be empty, only to find a big group of them elsewhere. Very interesting!

What they lack in size and population, they more than make up for in heart and stealth. One of the most spectacularly colored fish in our waters. Beautiful catch Eddie and way to figure it out.

I've caught larger specimens in Moosehead Lake Maine years ago. The colors are so vibrant they resemble a Guy Harvey painting. Awesome pic!

[june181901]

You asked 8-9 miles in NJ without getting into a car?
Might I ask what county were you in?

[Bruce Litton]

There's a stream in Mercer County with redfin pickerel where brook trout used to run up three miles to freestone quality from a mud-bottomed stocked stream. A 16-inch redfin once took my shiner in that stream, right where the brookies began to show. That pickerel was pretty close to state record size.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Originally Posted by june181901

You asked 8-9 miles in NJ without getting into a car?
Might I ask what county were you in?

Yes of course! Far NW NJ. Sussex county to be exact! Somewhere near the Appalachian trail! Good workout and views on this day.