Warmwater

[fluid]

Hey...didn't see many post here on warmwater species. Thought I'd get the ball rollin. Anyone in South Jersey? That is my home waters and I'd like to link up with some other warwater flyfish people.

I fish some pretty urban waters and still manage to get fish.

Cooper River is one I bank and kayak fish about every two weeks from Feb - Sep.

Heres a bass I got off the bank.

 

[bka62281]

I live in south jersey. I have only been flyfishing for 2 years now. I manage to catch some bluegills and crappie on the fly and so far 1 small and I mean small LM bass. I fish cooper river sometimes too.

 

[Piscator]

How big is that bass?

I've been fly fishing for bass for years now here in union county N.J. and I havent been able to catch anything larger than my personal best, 18". I've had quite a few in the 17"-18" but nothing bigger.

 

[fluid]

BASS ON DA FLY==>>

That bass from Cooper was about 14" . It was caught on a 3 wt right between some logs while bank fishin. I have caught bass up to 20" at least. I fish so often it is bound to happen. I fish about 3 days a week between February and Novemeber. I also fish salt so this is part of the average.

I've read many books about bass on the fly and some authors actually rather catch smaller bass 1 pound to 3 pound because they fight better.

Its funny how so many people are always interested in size. I admit I am too.


Anyhow....its cool to see some Warmwater FF on this site.

I see so many people spin for bass. I wonder how much pressure it has on the lakes where they fish hard. Some spin guys use lures with 9 treble hooks.

See lots of people baitfishin too. I am not the biggest fan of bait becuase it can wreak havoc on the fish.

I think the warmwater scene could be improved.....more on that later.

PEACE!

 

[DJ in Princeton]

Got tomorrow off now I'm in a debate......... smallie fishing on the North Branch Raritan (branchburg), the Raritan (Duke Island) or the Stony Brook for a mixed bag of bream/trout with an occasional smallie or LM.......... Hmmmmm I am torn becuase I don't ususally fish for bass until after June 15th to avoid pulling fish off the beds, but a free day to fish/explore streams I don't get to very often (N/B and Dukes Isalnd) may be too much temptation to resisit.

 

[DJ in Princeton]

Okay...... hit the stony brook this am. Nice day the ususal bag 2 small smallies (10-11") and several bream. Seeing many more bass (LM/SM) and bluegills (larger) and fewer robins, bluegills and rockbass. Usually the robins and rock bass predominate with bluegills and bass adding a change of pace. what I thought were stocked trout were rising, but turned out to be bream. Also saw several larger bass and/or rock bass spawning so I stayed out of that area. One thing. the algae is already stringy thick here!!!!!! I was surprised to see smallies in that kind of water. It was clear, but the rocks are already covered.

 

[Fly Ty R]

I'm in SOUTH south jersey, and there are some really good bass ponds down this way, especially in winter/spring. And, 95% of local anglers around here fish saltwater only, so there really is not that much pressure overall.

But now that the saltwater scene is waking up, I'm not really into catching freshwater fish anymore (aside from real streamside trout), much like everyone else down here in Dixie .

 

[Scott]

A 3 pound bass is a good fish no matter what you're catching them with.

I fish bass tournaments from time to time, and have not used a flyrod yet. I use primarily casting gear - I'm in it to win it & so the fish have got to get in the boat fast. Less fight time is less stress time.

All fish are always released alive.

Harvest rates on largemouth bass in NJ is about 2%, I think. Much lower than trout at any rate...