Big D topwater smallies

[Mark B.]

A friend had been doing well with a Zara Puppy.

Last evening, with a Lucky Craft popper (couple of weeks ago, I found it & 2 other LC lures washed up on the shore) had a number of dinks hit @ it. Landed a 9 & 10” er,…………………then a nice 18” er.

Ran it by a good size channel cat that I saw in the shallows,………..he slashed @ it, but no hookup.

[flatcreek]

Last night my buddy turned a few nice fish with a rapala but no hookups. I sat in my lawn chair watching my pole tip bounce as little fish messed with my cut bait, nothing big enough to pick it up came by. Sure was hot yesterday, good to be down by the river. Fasteddie stopped by, he was up on the rocks looking for some cats I think and had no luck either.

[Mark B.]

The Lucky Craft popper was working well again, last evening.
8 smallies to 12” & a 10” striper.

Missed a bunch of other strikes.

Big D is low, clear & chilly,………this weekend may be my last wading wet.

[Skunk City]

Mark have you heard any Walleye reports out of the D yet?

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

Mark have you heard any Walleye reports out of the D yet?

No, I haven't heard of any walleye catches.

I occaisonally catch one on my fav. lure: #9 floating rainbow trout Rapala.

But nothing is going after that, now.

As I said, LOTS of smallie action on the surface popper.

Have you Raritan River guys tried poppers there @ this time of year?

[kcritch]

Originally Posted by Mark B.

Have you Raritan River guys tried poppers there @ this time of year?

I have....just a little though...got no love at all so moved on. Only thing I can catch'em on are those 4" Senko type baits weightless T-rigged. Just let them float down the river along te bottom and wait until they hit. It's all skill.......NOT!

[Mark B.]

Yeah,….I always shied away from fishing poppers because to me, they are a lot of work,………..compared to slow, steady retrieve I use with the Rapala.

But, this time of year, on the Big D, a popper is much more productive.

And, of course, the strike @ the surface is exciting.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

Mark have you heard any Walleye reports out of the D yet?

Although I haven't Walleye fished at all this summer, I've got some good Eye reports from my buddies. Bite picking up from the Water Gap and north of the 80 bridge. Guys are gettin em jigging medium shiners, plain old worms and getting a few on bombers.

Launch at Poxono island Skunk, water is low enough so you'll be able to paddle up and down. Fish around the tip o the island.

[MaCe1]

Originally Posted by kcritch

I have....just a little though...got no love at all so moved on. Only thing I can catch'em on are those 4" Senko type baits weightless T-rigged. Just let them float down the river along te bottom and wait until they hit. It's all skill.......NOT!

I tried that for first time last weekend on the Passaic. Nothing was hitting topwater or spinnerbaits, got a few on curly-tail grubs. The I threw out a weightless 4" dinger and got 2 nice ones just drifting it behind my kayak. Have not made it to the Delaware this year.