The Sunfish Slayer

[Hookmanski]

Had an hour to kill between work on my grandpas farm and my day job, so I hit the NBRR for some action. I was fishing for trout, using the trout magnet, but it was attracting all sorts of panfish instead. Caught a half dozen Redbreast sunnies and another half dozen rock bass. Even though they weren't what I was targeting, I was using my ultralight fenwick 4'6" so it was a ton of fun, and watching the trout magnet disappear made for some fun hooksets. The water was crystal clear. I fished for an hour til my alarm went off saying i had to leave or I'd be late for work. Definitely hitting this place again, I know there are trout and some smallies in there, they just weren't interested in what I was throwing! Tight lines all!

[AndyS]

Every year I find it amazing how in March, April, May and even June the rivers and streams look so "trouty" But Come July and August after the water warms up a bit and vegetation starts to grow these rivers don't look "trouty" at all.
Then, like someone flipped a switch, it's all smallmouth and panfish. May not be so for some of the most Northern streams in NJ but locally it sure does.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Every year I find it amazing how in March, April, May and even June the rivers and streams look so "trouty" But Come July and August after the water warms up a bit and vegetation starts to grow these rivers don't look "trouty" at all.
Then, like someone flipped a switch, it's all smallmouth and panfish. May not be so for some of the most Northern streams in NJ but locally it sure does.

Parts of the lamington look trouty, but that whole north branch float didn't convince me that there's any reasonable holdover population.

Northern streams are still good. I was at ken Lockwood a week ago or so. Crawfish heaven.

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Every year I find it amazing how in March, April, May and even June the rivers and streams look so "trouty" But Come July and August after the water warms up a bit and vegetation starts to grow these rivers don't look "trouty" at all.
Then, like someone flipped a switch, it's all smallmouth and panfish. May not be so for some of the most Northern streams in NJ but locally it sure does.

I saw a couple of real small trout, maybe some leftover fingerlings that were stocked late? Other than that, all panfish. My home creek should still have plenty of trout though, I hope to fish it this weekend.

[AndyS]

Some parts below and above Far Hills look good through the summer months.
There is a long stretch of water above the AT&T area, I swear I saw trout in there last summer on a float trip.
Some of the smaller creeks can hold up surprising well through the summer.

[Skunk City]

Sounds like a lot of fun on the 4'6" UL!

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Some parts below and above Far Hills look good through the summer months.
There is a long stretch of water above the AT&T area, I swear I saw trout in there last summer on a float trip.
Some of the smaller creeks can hold up surprising well through the summer.

I planned on going there, figured out it was a Wednesday when I did during trout season and I drove elsewhere.

Just above that are wild trout streams like peapack, and above that private ravine (wow I'd just like to fish the waterfall below it) is also all WTS but that's when private property starts overtaking all the land around it until you hit india brook.

[tycomps]

Originally Posted by Hookmanski

Had an hour to kill between work on my grandpas farm and my day job, so I hit the NBRR for some action. I was fishing for trout, using the trout magnet, but it was attracting all sorts of panfish instead. Caught a half dozen Redbreast sunnies and another half dozen rock bass. Even though they weren't what I was targeting, I was using my ultralight fenwick 4'6" so it was a ton of fun, and watching the trout magnet disappear made for some fun hooksets. The water was crystal clear. I fished for an hour til my alarm went off saying i had to leave or I'd be late for work. Definitely hitting this place again, I know there are trout and some smallies in there, they just weren't interested in what I was throwing! Tight lines all!

took a UL with me a few weeks ago on a slow day and banged sunnies for an hour, I swear these things were part piranha! (may have been spawning aggression) one of these days I'm leaving the glory sticks at home and going out targeting them, they're just plain fun!

[Hookmanski]

Originally Posted by tycomps

took a UL with me a few weeks ago on a slow day and banged sunnies for an hour, I swear these things were part piranha! (may have been spawning aggression) one of these days I'm leaving the glory sticks at home and going out targeting them, they're just plain fun!

The best part about them is that they're EVERYWHERE. Even if the other fish aren't biting you can usually get a few sunnies to bite. Let me know when you go on a panfish outing, sounds fun!

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by tycomps

took a UL with me a few weeks ago on a slow day and banged sunnies for an hour, I swear these things were part piranha! (may have been spawning aggression) one of these days I'm leaving the glory sticks at home and going out targeting them, they're just plain fun!

Good looking bait right there