~*~ Spruce Run Night time 04-16-2015 ~*~

[Andrushkin33]

After a nice morning at Hopatcong and terrible day at work it was time to head out to Spruce.

Target species were white cats and hybrids.

What transpired was a complete surprise to me and my buddy.

Time: 7pm to 11pm
Area: Spruce Run boat ramp
Bait used: Shiners and chicken livers

Two rods were set up with chicken livers and on one rod I decided to mess around with the shiners.

As usual was quiet until 8:30 - 8:45 pm. 3 boats were in water with the darkness falling those guys were pulling in.

A little liquid courage for me and all of the sudden I see my bobber gone. Whats the hell I was thinking. Hook was set and fight was one. After about 10 minutes and some somersaults later my first northern pike was inching to the shore. Just when I was about to bring it in .... line snaps. I have to give a huge credit to my fishing buddy. His reaction will rival the fastest computers in a world. In nano second he jumped in the water in his cloth and was wrestling the beast. It was like watching the late Steve Irwin wrestle a gator. He managed to catch it and bring the price home. Finally my first northern of the year and she was a beauty. Solid 30 - 32 inches but could not weight it.

Now i am not good at reviving the fish and i found that out the hard way yesterday. I could not get her to revive. Any tips from anyone of you will be appreciated since it was sad for me to keep that beautiful fish. Tried multiple times but it just sat in water without moving barely alive. I tried.

Next i missed couple of bites on the chicken liver rods. They were toying with me. And then bobber was gone again. This time it was a largemouth about 17 inches that was quickly released.

To finish the night off with another solid hit. Crappie and it was my PB. Solid 16 inches (was measured at home) and fat as a cow.

Great night and thanks to my buddy for making sure i get that pike even though i think we did more damage while wrestling it instead of just letting it be.

Pictures are coming up.

Sorry for bad quality.

Me and my buddy Vlad with the pike:


My PB crappie:


Andre