Susky River Rat

I generally struggle during the summer. Spring fall and early winter I do my best.

The ironic thing is I bet they are keeping all the walleye to eat too. That could never be an issue of walleye population. The susky has just about every species of fish that will “ruin bass fishing”. Flatheads, musky, snake heads and blues below the wingo. yet the bass fishing is better now then 10 years ago. We need to stop thinking we know better than nature. Our fish and boat commission can’t even tell a tiger musky from a pure.

I found a bed walking my dog a few days ago. He was very interested in the smell.

Lock everything up best as possible. Remove tongue if possible. I keep all my fishing stuff inside where I am staying. I know this maybe slightly pricey but, a gps tracker wouldn’t hurt just in case it would get stolen. You could alert authorities an give them the location.

I hate theft. Keep your booger pickers off stuff that isn’t yours. People work to hard for what they have.

I keep on whatever was on last time I went out.

@casts_by_fly the biggest I got out of there was 45” so def possible. I only ever fished there about 6 times.

I do not fish the 10-12 hour days like I used to every chance I get. I fish 4-6 hours about 4-5 times a month. I love fishing but, I have been down the road with it where it feels more like a job than a hobby for fun.

I do not fish tidal waters often. What I can tell you on a river system the utilize creeks more for spawn and to escape high water. I do not think the timing changes spawn us spawn. They are only ready for so long. how long they stay on the beds? I would assume as long as they would in a lake. Protecting fry is protecting fry.

@casts_by_fly I fished it for toothies

@MediumMouthBass yeah, it’s pretty insane what gets blocked out. These kids are taught from age 4 on up to just huck it.

@casts_by_fly that incline to get in and out of the boat ramp at hopatacong is nuts. When I first pulled into that parking lot I was so confused where the ramp was. I figured that was a maintenance road. At least the ramp I used. I know I fished another lake in NJ that was $5 or something put your boat registration on a the envelope and dropped it in. I have never paid to use a ramp other wise expect that $5 one a few times. I went to the cong out of season. There is a couple private launches on the river you can get a permit for the year or pay as you go. I do not use them. Normally, I frequent some pretty sketchy ramps.

@islandbass yeah it’s a rough one. I would have much rather parted with my phone over fishing gear. @Hulkster I like your thinking. I really enjoyed the combos I had. I am going to be changing some stuff up though. Not to terribly much but just enough.

@Fishingmickey the place I got them from had no issues replacing them. Fed ex will be getting a call.

@fin yup you can see the FedEx driving carrying the empty tube on my security camera. End busted open nothing in it. @gimruis I am going to be picking the rods up this time.

Two of the three rods were delivered today. Got home packaged busted none were in the tube. I’m not suppose to fish anymore.

I would rip a square bill through there. Sure you’ll get grass on it sure you’ll get hung up but it will help you at least locate fish faster. Also wouldn’t shy away from a top water. Just make effect casts and read the water.

I raced motocross. At one time I almost became numb to risking life and limb. It was just another day.

You’re probably about an hour from the wingo dam. Could go there and rub shoulders with people.

I can’t comment on this scale. I measure my outings by fun. Figuring out the puzzle is the fun for me. I stopped comparing myself to anyone else when I stopped musky fishing. I stopped beating my head against the wall about fishing and just take it all in.

@ol'crickety exactly. $1800 is painful but can be replaced over time. That rate will almost never come down only go up year after year anyway.

@gimruis as far as back tracking I was on an interstate so I would have had to go that way again to find them. I cut my losses figuring nothing would be usable flying out at 65mph and possibly run over. i do have insurance and it is covered. Then the insurance rate goes up and in the long run I would probably end up paying more. @ol'crickety me too.

@Ski yes sir. I normally put them in my truck bed. I can’t be mad at anyone but myself. The bait monkey is very pleased now though. @Woody B out of all the years I have fished this is the only stuff I have ever lost other than snags and a hat or two blowing off. I guess I paid for it big thsi time. I told my wife I would have rather lost my cell phone than lose my gear. She looked at me like I was nuts.

On the way to go fishing yesterday 5 of my 9 fishing set ups blew out of my boat. Normally I put them in my truck bed for whatever reason I put them in the boat. Big mistake on my end. I lost roughly $1800 worth of gear. I only saw it when I got to the ramp. I ordered enough stuff yesterday to replace 3 of my set ups. If there is any silver lining in this I am replacing two tranx 151 I lost with JDM shimano metaniun mgl 151xgb. I am going to keep the rods pretty much the same St. Croix premiers. I have become very accustom to how they feel so I didn’t see the point in upgrading anything there. I also am replaced a spinning set up with what I had before Ultegra 2500 and a premier. Will I replace the others? At some point I am sure. For now this is what I am going with.

I hate to say it but, bodies in the susky are kind of regular. I just hope I am never the one to find one. I have found a dead body before it’s not pleasant.