Everything Warren County

[Doinkman]

Hey everyone!

I recently joined and this is my first post, so I apologize if I’m doing anything wrong or if this isn’t specific enough as a thread topic…

I’ve been browsing quite a bit, and it’s great to be a part of this community. I wanted to see what kind of active Warren County representation we have here, and thought it could be beneficial to start this thread for people to write/post any relevant reports or info.

I’ve always loved fishing but recently, starting this summer, I’ve been fishing much more than ever before, almost daily. I guess you can say I’m hooked , and I’ve loved learning so much more. But the more I learn, the less I realize I know!

I primarily fish for largemouth bass but am looking to expand my targeted species and fish for those I don’t have much experience with like stripers, catfish, and the elusive musky. Further, I don’t have much experience fishing the Delaware (successfully) or any time other than summer.

I’d love for anyone who’s interested or in the area to respond. I’m hoping to get a feel for the more local community.

Thanks!

[AndyS]

You can start by exploring the Raritan river, much closer to home.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Welcome Doink!

The Delaware is to tough nut to crack, especially from shore but August is defiantly the best month for Smallmouth using Ned rigs, its practically polluted with them. Cast into deep drops or cuts below the rapids. It does hold Muskies too but in the calmer deep water sections and big flashy lures are the way to go here. They are however called the fish of 1000 casts for good reason and the big D also has great Catfishing. Best way to learn and fish it is to float it from a boat and consider doing it with an experienced guide like https://www.facebook.com/MikeKGuideService to cut down on the learning curve.

Lake Hopatong is also a great place to get some of the other species on your list like Hybrid Striped Bass and Musky although Muskies are a spring and fall thing and very illusive.. The Hybrids are a better bet since usually school up in good numbers at the tip of the points out on the lake and Chicken Livers are the ticket here. Once again it's best fished by boat since fishing from shore will limit where you can since what you do is ride around the various deep water points of the lake and when they're home you'll mark them on your fish finder and drop down. Dusk into night is the best time but they can be had during the day too..

Hope this helps and I'm sure others will chime in here.

[Doinkman]

First, thanks for the advice and sorry for the late reply. Your pointers have been helpful, and man can I agree the Delaware is tough. I still need to check out Lake Hopatcong, which I’m looking forward to.

I’ve been fishing targeting musky a lot more often recently, still fishing almost every day, and I’ve had some musky bites but not much luck. Also, I’ve been learning to use a bait caster which has been fun but admittedly sometimes frustrating. Now, onto the news:

The other day, I got let out of work 30 mins early, and I was excited to fish. I got there and was fishing for musky with my bait caster for hours, wouldn’t have minded a bass either, but no bites from either party. I thought at least I was practicing my baitcasting skills.

I got a bit too confident, tried to cast a bit farther with more power, and ended up spooling my reel; the line snapped at the reel, and my new musky spinner, which I had just gotten and was using for the first time, went flying into the water. It was getting dark, and I walked back to my truck to set up an older spinning rod I had, which had been sitting unused without line for months.

In the dark I filled it with line, tied a new lure, then walked back over to my spot. After a bit of casting, I finally got a bite with a huge splash and was pumped. I could see it in the moonlight, but the splashes echoed. It tried to hit again, and for about 10 minutes on and off, I kept getting topwater blowups in the same spot as it kept trying for it. Finally, it bit on and got hooked.

I was thrilled, reeling it in. Given the size it was a decent fight but didn’t take too long to land cause it bit close to the shore. I ruined my sneakers walking into the water, snapped my pics, and released it. I didn’t get a measurement or weight, but as much as I wish I had a clue of the size, I was excited and wanted to get a quick release. Now, I’m even thinking about buying my first boat, maybe a 16’ jonboat. Great start to the fall and I’m looking forward to gaining more experience with fall fishing, and spending more time targeting musky and other species I haven’t focused on before.






Thanks again!