4/16 Monmouth County Trip

[tautog]

I haven't been freshwater fishing in several years and decided to go hit a bunch of my spots today. First went to Spring Lake to get a couple of decent trout for the grill. Only had a 10" largemouth, no hits on trout, only saw one 10" trout caught. Even the commarants weren't catching. Went to 7-11 and got some corn, picked up one 6lb carp on the corn but the carp were spooky and that was my only bite.

Then I went to try to catch a trout of any size. Hit the Squan at the two Howell High school access points. Caught and released an 11" brookie, nothing else doing, no one else having much luck. Then I went to the ponds at Allaire Park to try to catch a bunch of small largemouth bass. Fishing was poor only 2 10" bass in a spot where I used to catch one every few casts. I fear the bucket brigade has struck. Then I hit the Shark River at Schoolhouse Rd and had a 10" brookie right away and then nothing. Tried Hamilton Firehouse Pond for maybe 20 mins and had no bites and didn't see any good signs.

On the way home, for chits n giggles I tried the small pond within 2 miles of my house that I used to fish 30 days a year when I was 11-17 yo, but hadn't fished since. It is a small neighborhood place, so I won't name it. Happily it was game on with small bass, mostly 9"-10", but a few 13" fish. I had 12 bass and a few sunnies on a small phoebe and then had 2 bass on a twitched rapala. Looks like recent community stocking efforts have worked as that was by far the most bass I have ever caught from there, and only fish ever on topwater. Used to be good for one 2-4lb bass per day, but no number. Fish were also fat and healthy with great color, and they used to be that dull yellow color. Mostly a disappointing day, but it ended on a highnote.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Nice job! Way to make the best of things!

[Hoop79d]

Mmmmm...topwater. I personally cannot wait to break out the Pop-R and the Jitterbug!

[tautog]

Topwater would have been real good if there were less wind and i had the smallest sizes available. The rapala I had was around 3 1/2" which was a bit big for some of these fish, but I did have an 8" and a 10" on it.

[Lard Almighty]

You really put your time in and picked out a decent catch. Nice job!