Delaware Float

Got to float down the Delaware River on Saturday and what a glorious day it was.  Aside from catching 5 smallies, we saw a load of fish.  The water level was low and the clarity was as clear as gin.  We must have seen 100 shad (or were they chub minnows, we were not sure).  I have floated the Delware many times but had never seen so many fish, nor this early in the season so it leads me to believe these must have been shad.  We saw about 10 carp, each over 10 pounds, a giant walleye in shallow (28 inches maybe), a couple catfish and of course a load of smallies.  

Now is a great time to float the Delaware.  The gage level is low, the water is clear and the landscape just beautiful.  We also saw a bald eagle and a couple deer.  

I also took my brand new GoPro Hero, so hopefully I can start doing some videos too.

Overnight at Namanock Island on the Delaware

Finally, after much anticipation and much planning, I finally experienced my first overnight stay on the Delaware River.  It was everything I had hoped it would be!  We left Milford Beach, PA around 1:00 PM and landed at Namanock Island around 5:00.  Technically, our float was not long enough to justify using the campsite (floats are suppose to be 14+ miles), but I believe that rule is to assure campsites fare available or those individuals performing the longer floats.  Because it was mid October and temperatures were going to drop to near freezing, 

Some fall foliage near Milford's Canoe and kayak launch, looking up the Milford Bridge. 

For the preparation, we used my friend Dave's canoe for our primary source of transportation and loaded supplies up on my Wilderness kayak.  We brought one tent, two sleeping bags and two pillows.  We used two inexpensive buckets from Wal-Mart to store some extra dry wood (we wanted to make sure we had dry wood) and we also planned on using the buckets as chairs.  we tied the kayak to the front of the canoe but quickly learned the canoe (deeper profile) would be pushed down the river faster.  When we left Namanock Island on Monday morning, we tied the kayak to the back of the canoe.  We also put the heavier of the two of us (me) in the front of the canoe.  Both adjustments (heavier canoer in front) and tying the kayak to the back of the canoe ensured the canoe mostly went down straight and the kayak stayed out of our way.

The setup at Milford Beach, PA

We found ourselves doing more paddling and managing our boat position more than doing any actual fishing.  The Fall turnover had occurred and we found fewer smallies in the current than we had in the summer.  It should also be noted the gage was as high as 5.5 (Port Jervis) on Thursday and had descended down to a smidge below 3 feet when we launched.  So maybe the waning gage level had pushed most of the fish out of the current, or maybe it was the temperature.  Some time around 5:00 we landed at Namanock Island and elected to have our fire right on the river bank so we could stay warm while shore fishing.  We didn't catch anything but checking out the water the next day, it seems relatively shallow water where we were fishing.

Fire on the shores of Namanock Island

Despite the temperature dropping to 38 degrees at night, it was still relatively comfortable in our tent. I would recommend a suitable sleeping bag designed for 0 degrees weather.  We had caught one smallmouth, but had brought some potatoes and kibasa to eat in the possible scenario we did not catch a lot of fish.  Dinner was fantastic!

Smallmouth and Potatoes 

 Kibasa

We proceed to fish Monday morning from Namanock Island down to Dingman's Bridge.  This is the second time we have down this paddle and there is not a lot of current, so there is a lot of paddling here.  Most the of water was about 13 to 15 feet deep, but we did find a couple 20 foot holes.  When it was all done, we had caught two more smallies in this stretch.  Our three keeper smallies were caught in about 4 to 6 feet of backwater.  the river temperature was about 58 degrees on Sunday (in the sun), 57 degrees in the shade and 54 degrees the next morning.

2014 Fishing Goals

There is a thin line between New Jersey and Pennsylvania and it is buried beneath the cool, clean water from New York.  This cool, clean water from New York races with a swift current and prances along the rocky shoals; reminding us what beauty really is and the natural dangers mother natural possesses, all at the same time.  This simple line, cutting through eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains, I have come to know as the Delaware River; I have found no greater gift in the State of New Jersey than her mystifying shorelines and the wonderful fishery she is.

Walpack Bend

To that, I spend these cold winter months outlining all the things I yearn to accomplish this coming season of 2014... and here they are in descending order of difficulty:

6. Fish the Walpack Bend.  From boat or from shore, it does not matter but I want to see this.

5. Spent one day fishing Silver Lake for Perch

4. Land a 5 pound largemouth bass

3. Land 20+ Smallmouth from the Delaware this year

2. Land 6 walleye this season.  (2a) one from Monksville Reservoir and (2b) one from Swartswood Lake

1 Land a Delaware River Grand Slam; 3 walleye (18+ inches each) and 5 smallies (12+ inches each).

The Bell - Gives up a 2-Pound Walleye

As I have searched the Delaware for walleye, I may have found my favorite walleye fishing hole.  The spot is just north of the Milford, PA bridge where a creek enters the Delaware.  There, I found a nice 25 foot hole in some backwater and hit the bottom with a lindy-rig, baited with a nightcrawler.  This hole has no significant landmarks (unlike Dingman's Bridge or the Milford Bridge) and the bend in the river is a long, bending arc; I thought it resembled the bottom of a large bell...and thus decided to name it "The Bell".

 The creek entering the Delaware River, now know as "The Bell"

I departed Saturday morning before sunrise and pushed off from shore about 6:30 AM.  I was armed with  a 3/8 once weighted bottom bouncer and a fire-tiger Colorado spoon Lindy rig...rigged up with a large nightcrawler.  I paddled the kayak around the mouth of the creek and there was a significant drop from 6 feet to 12 feet just downriver of the creek that was holding lots of fish and lots of big fish!  The current was a bit more swift, as my paddling did not result in much upriver headway.  Given the feedback of my fish finder, I was going to give this little spot a go.  After about three drifts over this spot (fish finder lighting up like a pinball machine each time), I got zero hook-ups.  That is the funny thing about a depth finder (fish finder), it tells you if fish are down there, but not what kind of fish they are.  Those big fish could have been carp, catfish, musky or God knows what else, so I moved on.  I paddled up-river along The Bell and eventually found a nice 20 to 25 foot hole.  Not shortly after, in about 16 feet of water, I got a hook-up!  I immediately know it was a walleye as the fish at the end of my line was holding steady to his position and shaking it's head - instead of going on a typical epic smallmouth run.  As I got him closer to the boat and off the bottom, he made a small run and took some line off.  My hopes were high for a possible 5-pounder!  I decided to let him fight a little more before bringing him next to the kayak and try the balancing act of holding a pole and a net within the confines of my kayak.  I saw a couple of nice flashes under the surface and my heart may have skipped a beat.  I pulled out the net, brought the walleye towards the kayak and scooped him! As I did, I saw him open his mouth to show his rows of teeth ... as he barely fit into my net.  My immediate thought was, 'this was a big fish'.  

I put the walleye on the stringer and chose not to measure him, thinking he easily cleared the 18 inch minimum. However, when I got to shore and measured him, I was shocked to see he was only 19.5 inches. After my initial thoughts of some disappointment, my next thought was, 'I may need a bigger net' when I come back to this spot!  

Two of my daughters (Dagney and Lillian) holding the fish.

My favorite photo technique, asking my 6-year old daughter to put her hand on the cutting board for perspective.  Almost looks 30 inches now, heh?

Revenge

Since moving to Lake Mohawk, I have been casting a 7-inch power worm.  It has been extremely convenient and I had actually grown attached to my little 7-inch power worm.  So much so, I had named him Charlie.  Last week I was driving down East Shore Drive and saw a little stream dumping some fresh water into Lake Mohawk around Beach #5.  On a whim, I elected to throw my 7-inch power worm from the boat launch dock.  For whatever reason, I was satisfied with fishing the drop, this time I retrieved the worm with a   'flick & drop'.  I would flick the worm and then let it settle.  No expectations.  All of sudden, halfway between the boat docks and the boat ramp docks, "BAM!", I got a strong hit!  And when I set the hook, nothin.  In fact, not even the worm; clearly what I had hooked was a pickerel and he took 'Charlie' on a little ride.

So this week, on my way to get a haircut, I thought I would hook up my perch patterned Rat-L-Trap and give it a couple casts.  I over estimated the number of casts, because on the first retrieve, "BAM!", I got the strike I was looking for!  Let me tell, I was quickly reminded why I love fishing for pickerel because the fight between myself and this 22-inch pickerel was epic on my light tackle.  I eventually landed him and I had to ask him a question, "Mr. Picks, you know anything about a green 7-inch power worm who disappeared around these parts about a week ago?"

 Mr. Picks, "HA, HA, HA!"

My First Lake Mohawk Larry

It has been a crazy 2013 so far as I have had many big milestones to tackle; a destination wedding in Cozumel, MX, bachelor party in Las Vegas, a visit with Dad and taking the family to Disney.  The last of milestone I had was closing on a new home in Lake Mohawk, moving all my furniture and now renovating the old home for rental.  However, this past Friday we had a 3-family BBQ at Lake Mohawk and I got to make about a dozen cast with a green & pumpkin seed senko around sunset to nab my first Lake Mohawk Larry.

I have really grown fond of the Senko and almost exclusively rig it Jersey style.  Could be a good summer.

Delaware River Was High and Muddy

I was entertaining guest this weekend, so I could only get out for a few hours on Sunday.  The fall afternoon was wonderful and I was hoping to snag some smallies on a 4-inch wacky rig.  I fished from about 2:00 to 3:30 and didn't even get a bite.  The water was high and muddy and the there were lots of leafs in the water. The Gage Height at Port Jervis, NY was about 5.3 feet.

I did get to try my neoprene waiters and they are a great addition to my arsenal of fishing.    I got a pair of Field and Stream (with no boot) waders and some accessory boots which go on over top the wader socks.  I figured I could still use the accessory boots in the Summer without wearing the waders.  There are some locations I fish on the Delaware that are just sooo rocky and potentially dangerous.  But even in the winter, these waders should keep me warm in the winter months, should I choose to fish the winter months.

I hear a lot groaning and moaning when the Delaware is high and dirty and my voice can now be added to the list.  I am still hoping for a few more good weekends to catch some more walleyes, as I think the bite will be good up to late November.

Fall Smallmouth Fishing on the Delaware

This is what Fall smallmouth fishing is all about on the Delaware river!  I found a lot of success Friday evening as well as Sunday morning, both times throwing a dark natural color (watermelon or pumpkin seed) 4 inch senko, rigged wacky style.  I search out fast moving current, preferably in the 4+ feet of water range and throw the wacky rig straight out (not up current), or maybe 10 degrees up current and just let it drift down river.  I caught 7 smallies south of Dingmans Bridge Friday evening, but none of them were larger than 13 inches.  The Delaware current seemed much weaker on Sunday morning when I went out, so I headed north of Dingmans Bridge searching out some faster current.  I caught another 6 smallies, 3 of which were about 13-inches or bigger (pictured below).  

Delaware River Update:

Friday Evening - Water was clear and low, current was moderate (for late Summer, early Fall).  The green algae which has been a bother for the past few weeks has resided at Dingmans Bridge.  I received little if no algae on my cast..

Sunday Morning - Water was clear and extremely low.  Current was exceptionally weak.  Could not fish my wacky rig South of the Bridge as there was not enough current (relatively speaking of course for the Delaware River).  Went north of the bridge and found a big rock in the middle of the river to anchor the kayak (with my feet, not a real anchor).  The smallmouth bite did not really start until late Morning (10:00 AM) when the sun finally broke.

Swartswood, Day 2

My wife allowed me to go out a second time last weekend and I headed out late Sunday afternoon.  I started paddling out around 5:00 PM and had most of my action before 7:30.  This time I decided to fish with some medium size minnows on my lindy rigs.  The water temperature was still very high, teetering around 84 degrees.  I went back to my same spot but this time elected to slowly paddle up and down the bank and I tried to stay in about 15 to 20 feet of water.  It didn't take me long and I hooked up with a 22 inch pickerel.  It was an amazing fight and a lot of fun!  He hit my minnow in about 16 feet of water and when he hit it, it felt like a big log at the end of my line.  That is, until he started moving.

It was no more than 20 minutes later and I hooked up with another big fish.  This one was significantly bigger and he just played around with me, letting me pull up from the depths until he got within 5 feet of the kayak.  At which time he would take off and we repeated this dance another five times for over 6 minutes.  I never got to see him, but whatever he was he had some teeth because he bit through my lindy rig liter right above the hook.  I don't believe there are any northerns or musky in Swartswood Lake, so it was either a bigger pickerel or a large walleye.  I want to say it was a bigger pickerel based on how he initially struck my lindy rig and how strong he was when he went on his runs; there was not a lot of head shaking on his side of the line.

Heading out on Silver Lake

I strongly believe on fishing day, the longer the line is in the water, more fish will be caught.  So to cut down on the time it takes me to change baits, I hit the water with two poles; each with a distinct setup and I will rarely vary from either two as I prefer to be casting instead of tying.

The floating broken Rapala (left)

From viewing the google map of Silver Lake, I suspect the lake will have lots of weeds. The floating broken rapala will  allow me to fish the surface, avoid most of the weeds and provide me with the best opportunity to cover as much of the new lake as possible.

The 6 inch power worm on a Texas rig (right)

Bar none, my favorite and most effective lure in my arsenal.  There is no circumstance in which I will throw this with no confidence.  I expected to find lots of big rocks and natural structure on Silver Lake and when I did, I want a setup that will kill it.

Planning Silver Lake

One of the advantages of having a kayak is I can get to some hard to reach places, which means I can fish lakes that receive little fishing pressure.  This week I am going after a small local lake (large pond?) called Silver Lake and there is no topography map available for Silver Lake.  However, given the technology available to us today, I was able to take this photo using Google maps.  Although it does not tell me what a good topography map would tell me, it still tells me quite a bit.

First, I can still see the whole lake.  I can see where the kayak launch is (A) and the small damn (B).  What I can also see from this image is where the vegetation is growing in the middle of the lake and more importantly, where it is not.  I can assume where the vegetation is not growing the water is a little deeper.  But overall, it would appear to be a very shallow lake.  Because the lake is so small, I am sure I will be able to fish the entire lake on Sunday morning, but I highlighted two areas that may be the most interesting to me.  (D) Would appear to have the most structure with some deeper water (no vegetation) right off the structure. (C) Has an upside down 'U' of vegetation that may be some underwater rocks which looks appealing.  But (C) also has a big rock away from the shore line which I will certainly give some extra attention.

I hope to arm myself with two weapons.  I am going to use a floating broken rapala (which has been a family favorite for 30 years) so I can cover lots of water surface quickly while avoiding what could be an abundance of underwater vegetation.  I will set up my second pole with what is now my favorite setup, a 7" plastic worm in a Texas rig.  This will allow me to fish specific targets such as an underwater rocks or submerged trees.

Thoughts?

Monksville Recap

June 10th, 2012

blue skies, 80 degrees
Water Temperature 72.5 degrees
used medium sized flatheads

My alarm went off at 4:00 AM and I must really love fishing because I pulled myself out of bed to head to the Monksville Reservoir.  On a recommendation, I checked out Frank's Tackle in Wanaque, NJ.  Frank's Tackle was clean, well stocked and organized ... a real nice tackle shop.  The gentlemen who came in the morning gave me a gloomy forecast for catching walleye in Monksville.  He recommended Greenwood Lake as a better prospect for catching walleye.  Nonetheless,  I headed out for Monksville and got my kayak in the water by t 6:00 AM.  It was beautiful ... and deep from the South Boat launch!  

I first headed towards target area (A), but I ended up on the on the other side of the rounded point (slightly uplake from target area (A).  It was a nice solid bottom and I found some structure in 7 and 14 foot of water.  I bounced the bottom with a lindy rig and a flathead minnow and had a hookup right away.  The fish (did not get a good visual) jumped out of the water and shook the hook out.  I changed back to a bobber and minnow and eventually drifted to the other side of the rounded point and into target area (A).  There were more weeds and vegetation in target area (A), but there were so many big and medium size rocks, that I definitely want to come back here again.  I got halfway past the rounded point in the direction of the inlet when I hooked up this giant 6 pound rock bass!  It was actually much, much smaller but my bodaciously awesome photography skillz made it look so much bigger!

As I went into the inlet, I kept seeing these large abandoned spawning nest up on the shore.  I tried to take a   picture (below), but they are hard to see in the the top of the photograph.  They look like giant dark circles.  They were not abandoned that long ago.  The day was getting slow and I only had about 5 minnows left, so I wanted to check out target area (B) just for a bit.

Area (B) would be an ideal walleye location.  The drop off is significant from shore and having viewed the slope above the shoreline led me to believe there were lots more rocks below the shore line. Immediately, my Eagle 360c fish finder told me there were a school of fish hugging the bottom around 25 feet.  I think these could have been walleye so I setup up my second rod with a lindy rig (again).  It didn't take me long to get snagged on the bottom and it took even less time for me to break my pole.  Let me be honest, this was only a $20.00 pole from Wal-Mart, so I was not surprised.  I decided to fish the shoreline again and saw a couple of low-cut tree stumps.  It did not take me long to realize those trees were chopped down and the rest of the trees were the structure I was seeing at 25 feet of water ... and most likely what I was getting snagged on.  I did catch another rock bass, but then called it a day at 10:30.