Passaic River (Pike/Carp Help)

[Jerseyphins]

Hi everyone,
Been on the site for a long time. Helped a few people out, learned a ton about fishing. I am looking to see if anyone has anything that they would be will to share in regard to Pike/Carp fishing in the Passaic River near Chatham. I have hit a couple of spots that have been recommended to me without any luck. Haven't done the carp thing yet (my son is begging me to go), but we have thrown the tackle box for Pike. Files, inline spinners, jerk baits, paddle tails.... nothing.

I am not looking for spots, but rather a helpfull hint or two the river. For carp, I was thinking about chumming heavy with corn then using a combo of corn and dough balls as bait (worked in the meadowlands).

In all honesty, I'm just trying to put my son on some fish. I'm a saltwater guy just waiting for my boat to be ready. Any little bit of info would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

[bulletbob]

One thing I know for sure about river Pike... There are times when they won't hit lures, even when you know they are there... If you want Pike, I would get some BIG live Shiners or any other good size live baitfish you could find... Pike will hit a bait very readily when the won't hit lures, especially soft rayed bait like shiners.. 3 feet under a bobber.. If Pike don't hit a big live shiner, chances are good they are not around.... bob

[thmyorke1]

Have you been trying only recently? From my experience the pike fishing is weird (bad) in the spring, I just dont find them, just pickerel. But based of historic posts here, it should pick up soon. I will sometimes walk the river and find one just behind a simple branch or log.

For Carp, you should be able to see them while you venture around. Often just off the bank. I found they like access to a deeper hole while eating pretty shallow sometimes right off the bank.

[Jerseyphins]

Thank you for the feedback! Been out twice the last few days with nothing to show. My son got a bullhead on a tiny trout jig, but that's it. Had one follow on an inline spinner but turned away near the shoreline. Couldn't figure out what it was. River is still a little high. Gonna pick up a couple spinner baits and some soft baits and keep trying. I will keep you posted..... Thanks again!

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Jerseyphins

Thank you for the feedback! Been out twice the last few days with nothing to show. My son got a bullhead on a tiny trout jig, but that's it. Had one follow on an inline spinner but turned away near the shoreline. Couldn't figure out what it was. River is still a little high. Gonna pick up a couple spinner baits and some soft baits and keep trying. I will keep you posted..... Thanks again!

the river is tough to fish when its high, because the fish can be anywhere they want to, especially with how the water floods over the banks onto the floodplains.

[Ken Lyons]

My experience there was always down stream in the meadows. Weedbeds and big white spinner baits are where to start. They can get big. I saw one being held up by another fisherman that was easily 40 inches. That was in Fairfield under the rut 46 bridge.

[Mark B.]

Several years ago we boat electrofished a 40" 'er just upstream of the Camp Lane, Fairfield boat ramp.

https://nj.gov/dep/fgw/artpassaicpike_update20.htm

[Jerseyphins]

Great Info!!! Thanks. Gonna adjust my game plan and see where it takes me.

[nate01]

There are definitely pike in that stretch near Chatham but they aren’t stocked that far upstream so I’d concentrate my efforts further downstream.

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by nate01

There are definitely pike in that stretch near Chatham but they aren’t stocked that far upstream so I’d concentrate my efforts further downstream.

forget about where they are stocked imo, the whole river is infested haha... like luke said, early spring is not the easiest time to catch them. once the water warms up a little bit it gets much better.