Skunked at the Cong :(

[CHfisher17]

Pretty windy day out there today. Tried to find relief in some of the coves. Unfortunately I got skunked again. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Fished different ledges and points around the lake. Tried shiners on slip bobbers and live lining. Jigged some plastics. Casted some crank baits. Not even a hit. Got on the water at about 8am and left at 3. Fished between 5-30 feet of water.

Anyone have any tips for a frustrated fisherman?

[catfishonthelake]

We were out Friday night and it was slow, but we managed a few walleye. My suggestion would be to shift your focus off the main lake until the water warms up a bit more. Most fish (walleye, bass, pickerel, etc.) will be looking for the warmest water in the spring. We found 61-62 degrees in Woodport and Henderson Cove and main lake was only 57. Big difference to a fish. Look for the emerging weedgrowth in the warmer water and there will be fisher there. Also, I've never had much luck on shiners at Hopatcong. Those fish are so keyed into eating herring that shiners may not do the trick. I saw that Joe had his barges out Friday night, so stop at Dow's and they should have live herring. Hope that helps.

[CHfisher17]

Originally Posted by catfishonthelake

We were out Friday night and it was slow, but we managed a few walleye. My suggestion would be to shift your focus off the main lake until the water warms up a bit more. Most fish (walleye, bass, pickerel, etc.) will be looking for the warmest water in the spring. We found 61-62 degrees in Woodport and Henderson Cove and main lake was only 57. Big difference to a fish. Look for the emerging weedgrowth in the warmer water and there will be fisher there. Also, I've never had much luck on shiners at Hopatcong. Those fish are so keyed into eating herring that shiners may not do the trick. I saw that Joe had his barges out Friday night, so stop at Dow's and they should have live herring. Hope that helps.

Much appreciated. Thanks for the tips!

[icebadger]

you might try fishing some swim baits in the 1/8 oz size near the weedlines. also try med size husky jerks in about 4 to 6 ft of water fish them on the slow side the water is still a bit cold for a fast retrive. did you try trolling at all?

[birddog]

I was out Saturday fished jerk baits and swim baits in the shallows, caught bass trout crappie walleye and pickerel. keep trying the fish are there. Bite died around noon when the wind stated howling.

[CHfisher17]

I can't troll with my current set up. The slowest I can go is about 2.5-3 knots. Thanks for the tips. I've been trying mainly the points of the coves but it sounds like I need to make my way deep inside.

I agree on the wind, I feel like we haven't really gotten much of a break from that wind these last couple weeks.

[NJSquatch]

Great thing about the cong. With all the coves there is always a place to hide from the wind.

This weeks weather isn't going to warm things up much.