5/14 Good fish and slippery hands!

[CabesaRoja]

Finally had a full day free to be able to go on a decent fishing trip, so I went out on Pompton Lake in search of some pike. After about an hour and a half, I finally hooked up with what looked and felt like a nice pike. Got it into the net to find out it was a GIANT pickerel that measured out at around 27 inches! As I was reaching for my phone for a picture, he thrashed, and slipped right out of my hand and back into the water . That fish blasted my old PB away by AT LEAST 7 inches, and I had no idea they could grow to that size!

After that, I only caught another pickerel around 16 inches. Got blown off around noon by the increasing winds. Was talking to a few guys at the ramp that said they got a few nice bass and that most of the largemouths are finished spawning, with the exception of some stragglers.

With the increasing winds keeping me from doing anything from boat or kayak, I hit up the Ramapo for some afternoon trout. Got 10 or so in 4 hours with a few little smallies mixed in, all caught on my favorite gold rapala. Once again, couldn't manage to get my phone out before they'd shake the hook or wiggle away from my hand. River was running high and a little dirty. Stayed out until the skies opened up, then made a dash for the truck. Great first day of fishing back home!

Sorry for the long post and no pictures!