Hooks Creek failure

[RyanMac14]

So after a long stint of no fishing again, I made time to get out Sunday. Upon arriving at hooks creek, I was astonished to see it completelyyy weed choked like I never have in 20 years. Made a day of wading and throwing my spinner around a complete nightmare of weed picking every other cast. After an hour and a half of nothing, I finally got a hit, hook up and landing of a chunky "rainbow". Except this fish just seemed off and was almost as brown as the zombie salmon post at SR. After a quick dehook and pic I had him back in the water where he swam off slowly. Another half an hour only yielded a dink bass. Sad to see my favorite local spot go to crap. Dont know where I will fish anymore. Tight lines boys

[Andrushkin33]

Wait what.....

You still remember how to hold a rod. Man nice to see you finally get out and at least get some fish.

Andre

[23cardinal]

1 fish >skunk. Always sucks loosing a spot. If it's any consolation, most of ours are low.very low

Not an expert, but I think with stockies, that's stress/low 02 or bacterial infection. him swimming slow and a weedy spot might mean the later

[RyanMac14]

Hahah yeah Andre after I remembered which way to hold the rod I picked it back up quickly.. surprised my knot thing skills seemed to improve like no other. Yeah it must just be the lack of rain because last fall I was killing it there and thought it was back to good tines. But yeah the way this fish looked, although I obviously can't judge off one fish, it looked like the lake isn't doing too well. I look to get out a bit more often so if you still have my number let me know. Also if anyone has any recommendations of areas around central jersey for any species just so I can wet my line more often I'd really appreciate it.

[Jigman13]

Look at a map. Google is your friend.

[RyanMac14]

Yeah I've done my fair share of Google mapping and gotten my fair share of poison ivy. I get it bad too 2 occasions last year had my eyes swell basically shut. Did most of that exploring up north and did that for bass. Being winter and with the new house and prego at home I gotta keep it more local and probably for trout. Thanks though guess I'll just have to map it out down here and pay more dues

[Jigman13]

I don't live far from where you're at. I do very little local fishing bc the options are limited and exceedingly depleted by bucket brigades. This time of year you're better off hitting the beach for stripes if you have to stay close to home. Or shoot west to Farrington where you can jig perch and crappies. There's Duhernal too but they throw you outta there nowadays. If you're lucky you can nail some thick pickerel before security tells you to vamos!

[RyanMac14]

I've never had anyone bother me at duhernal. Been fishing there since I was little and it was allowed. I always hear people get bothered but not me. Get some decent bass out of there but surprisingly no slimes. I'm right down the road from Lefferts which I've fished occasionally but I've tried to find decent spots to make it my home lake. Andre would know I've put my work in at Farrington but have a love hate with the place. Prefer the other little EB lakes for their pickerel action. Just wish we had some consistent producers like people further north south and west.

[briansnat]

Not looking good there. The lake can use a mowing

[Mark B.]

The Park Superintendent there, told me they were going to hire a consultant to apply aquatic herbicides.

Additionally, this year they received a permit to stock 50 aquatic veg. eating grass carp.

Hopefully, the above interventions will improve the conditions of the lake.