North Branch float trip 7/13/18:

[AndyS]

I guess the whole Friday the 13th being bad luck is just an old wives tale.
Floated with Luke from the Lamington confluence of the the North Branch to the confluence of the South Branch, roughly 6 miles.
Had lights out fishing with the overcast conditions in the morning but the fish became weary after the sun rose high into the sky.
There seemed to be no shortage of smallmouth bass through the entire float trip. Quickly lost count of fish under 12", snapped a few pics of the larger ones.
We were able to grab a few tires today as we floated, saw and grabbed 4 tires, one rod and reel from some disgruntled fisherman and one pool float raft.
The river looked pretty clean, saw a bald eagle also.
Start time 8:30 am take out time 1:30 pm.

[thmyorke1]

Hands down my best day smallmouth fishing, perhaps my best day of fishing ever.

Action packed! Never hooked into so many smallmouth in my life Especially bigger ones.

Stuck with one lure today, that was this thing on a 1/8th oz jig.

https://image.ibb.co/bWMvNT/bpsshad.png

That sun was the big factor in fishing quality. At least a lil overcast kept it going even when the sun was high but direct sun just killed everything.

Thanks Andy

[JDTuna]

Awesome guys! Sounds like a blast!

[FASTEDDIE29]

Today was a picture perfect day to float. Way to go fellas! Looks like a relaxing day!!!

[AndyS]

NJF's very own Bruce Litton was on the North Branch recently and wrote about it in his blog post.

https://littonsfishinglines.blogspot...sks-of-us.html

[Sako1]

Way to go guys Nice Fish!

Dave

[Jerzguy2]

Great float, haven't done that in 30 years. Glad to see the fishing is still that good.

[AndyS]

Some fun observations, watching smallmouth bass pick off big dragonflies in mid air. Seeing nice sized fish hooked in a foot of water, and the fact it is so clean, and hope it stays that way. Some spots had a bunch of Great Blue Herons just hanging out. Some litter on the banks in the usual spots but for a 6 mile float in the heart of New Jersey it was clean !