First try on the mighty Passaic River

[briansnat]

I had a couple of hours free and decided to give the Passaic a try over the weekend because I was too lazy to take the cover off my boat. I used Google Earth to ID some potential access points. Most didn't pan out, but after driving around I finally found one at the end of a cul-de-sac in Montville.

River was down within its banks but the color of chocolate milk. Tossed a buzzbait for about 20 minutes with nothing happening. Then I started retreiving it with short jerks and it got slammed by what seemed to be a pike judging from it's slender shape. Unfortunately I didn't hook it. So I tried again with the short jerks and it got slammed in the same spot by what I assume was the same pike. Four times I did it and four times the pike hit it and missed. Stupid pike. He eventually lost interest.

After a while I switched to a jointed Rapala type lure and on my second cast a bass hit it and jumped and spit the lure. It was a darn big bass, probably in the 4-5 lb range.

Unfortunately I had somewhere to be and called it a day shortly after that. Certainly enough action to keep me coming back. Need to find a better access point though. The bank there was really slick and I almost wound up in the river.

[Skunk City]

Nice secluded area that doesn't get too much fishing pressure due to the limited shoreline access. Keep at it and you'll get 'em.

[briansnat]

Thinking of a float trip in my canoe one day soon, if anybody is interested in joining me. As of last Friday I'm a man of leisure, having been laid off so if anybody is available during the week let me know.

[dboyd101]

Ugh... sorry to hear that dude.

Chainsaw for downed trees might be a good idea