Raritan, D&R Canal and Spruce Run

[MudCat08]

Went fishing this week and had a lot of fun.

Monday went down to the D&R canal, but ended up fishing both the canal and the main Raritan. Caught about 20 bass total. Biggest was a 16" smallmouth from the Raritan then a 14" largemouth from the canal the rest were a bunch of smaller fish.

Tuesday night went to Spruce Run Reservoir. Lost count of how many fish were caught. Most were small channel cats, bullheads, sunfish, perch, small smallmouth bass. Caught a keeper channel and my first white catfish! Had 3 catfish break off, one of which was much bigger than anything I've ever hooked at spruce. Almost spooled my whole reel, but then at the end of the battle, right before i got to see it near the shore, the line got cut on a rock...

Thursday night I returned to Spruce to try for more catfish but almost got no bites. no keepers at all. Caught a perch, a sunfish, a white catfish, a channel cat, then a bullhead, and then finally a white perch. 1 of each species and all quite small. I wonder if it was the full moon or the recent temperature swings at night that drove all the bigger fish into deeper water?

Saturday (today) went to Ramapo river for some smallmouth action. Saw a big one that had to be about 2lbs+ and caught about 8 smallmouths, 1 largemouth, some perch, chubs, and a green sunfish.

No huge fish, but I've been having a fun week

[AndyS]

Sounds like a great time ! Great weather and they are letting in tons of water into the South Branch from Round Valley.

[zmerchant7]

Sounds like a few good outings to me. Probably was the full moon effecting Spruce, I try and avoid it at all costs a few days before and after a full moon since it pretty much shuts down the Hybrids there. Was out as well on Thursday night though, must have gotten 3 dozen Channel Cats and lost a few more as well.

[Sleeper-6]

Looks like you guys nailed the timing on Spruce. By Friday night it was dead for me. Had one hit and nothing hooked up.

[JDTuna]

Nicely done!