FISHING REPORT/ FORECAST

As we exit May most of us have seen big hens on the nest during the spawn. But as June begins to unfold many anglers seem to quit. Why, because when we enter the (Post-Spawn) error when water temperatures soar into the 70-75 degree range most anglers find they have to put in a little more effort. To consistently catch Bass during this period first you must understand seasonal pattern. Anglers who understand were to look for fish will use the same general pattern year in and year out. So we at FISH & GAME FINDER MAGAZINE have some tip to make June just as rewarding as the previous month.(Pre-Spawn) early spring with water temperatures in the 55-60 degree range Bass are using the migrating route from deep to shallow water preferably to northern coves. Targeting these areas close to spawning ground with fast-moving lure such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits will help locate more fish. Concentrate your effort on area with rocky shoals, timber and tributary mouths. (Spawn) when temperatures approach 65-degree look for Bass on gravel flats, chunk-rock banks and shallow coves. Bass fishing can go one way or another at this time. With the female on the nest and the male protecting the nest often must aggravate the Bass to get them to strike. One way is to continually drop a gitzit or rubber worm in the area and slowly bringing it right into the nest. I prefer a Zoom lizard before they draw a vicious strike. Remember not all-bass spawn the same time. Putting more fish in the boat during (Post-Spawn) can be tough. During this period Bass are retreating to deeper water to recuperate. Usually they find deep water closest to there spawning ground. A good depth finder will help you get on the Bass Highway. Following the major migration routes from shallow to deep water is the key. These routes might take the form of a point extending into a major creek or channel.

Buy yourself a good map to locate old roadbeds or even ledges and contour. As we enter summer Bass will go deeper coming back up to feed early in the morning and at dusk. Targeting these fish with an arsenal of buzzbaits, rattilin jig-pig combo and of course rubber worms will pay big dividend. Always keep a log for future reference complete with date, temperature change. Spend more time in tackle shop asking question because I found that most of the lures they have are what hot in that area. Even calling ahead to the shop closest to the lake you are going to fish will help. You will not only find out the weather condition, But what biting and on what. Carp fishing weather you are using corn of bowfishing in Carnegie Lake or along the Delaware Water Gap at night should be good at this time. Bottom fishing for Catfish with night crawler or chicken liver should produce some nice size fish at this time. Try the Delaware down in Trenton for some bone-jarring action. If you like to catch 40-50 yellow perch a day, Lake Hopatcong in Lee Park is you ticket to adventure even though Lake Mercer can stand the test of time. Little white or yellow grub can produce plenty of crappie all through the month, check your depth finder for sunken brushpiles and target the lily on most lake. Hybrid Striper action is about to heat up on Spruce Run Reservoir trolling the shore lines in 10ft of water. I received a call from Pete over at Clinton Outfitters action has been hot & heavy. Jack Lamaestra using a large shiner landed 6 Hybrids up to 7lb, Fred Wistuba Jr. of Sayerville hooked into 3.4lb brook trout on a fathead, while fishing the Musky, Damian Reyes of Woodbridge caught a brookie 3.6lb, Gabrielle Lopez using a worm took a 2lb Rainbow over at So. Branch. Fishing Clinton Bridge, Tom Suloff could not believe the 18" brook trout that tipped the scale at 4.3lbs. Jeff over at Auto Parts of Woodbridge has been receiving reports from Lake Farrington that Northern Pike are being caught and a 21" rainbow was taken by John in the south branch. Jeff is continuing the offer the "10 per-cent off special" on all saltwater tackle for the month of June. Greenwood Lake continues to produce limit catches of large & smallmouth bass Pete from Fox Island tackle has updated report and also will be open early for all your bait needs. Ray at the Sportsmen Corner in Howell is the person you need to speak to if you want information about what is hot and what is not at the Manasquan Reservoir. He told me that night fishing has been fair to good on the three lakes on Assunpink. Ron's Trigger and Reel in Ewing is very busy their specials on plastic baits have them lining up to get into the store. Ron did have the time to tell us that Carnegie Lake is the spot for bass flipping the reeds tight to cover. On the Big D they continue to catch a mixed bag of Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth just stop in at H L Live in Morrisville or call for info on the Delaware. Remember on June 6 & 7 residents and non- residents may fish public water of New Jersey without a license or trout stamp. All other regulations apply.

John Adey from Hook Prop & Sail in Denville reports that bass fishing is four weeks ahead of schedule and off to a great start. Cooks Pond is producing nice catches of fish on shiners a 41/2 pounder was caught on a black and silver Rapala. Crappie are moving to deeper water small yellow jigs have been working well. Due to the unusually high water most of the stocked trout are still waiting to be taken. Powerville Falls in Boonton meal worms & butter worms will produce fish. Dave at Parsippany Bait & Tackle reports excellent Trout fishing in Rockaway, Musconetkong and Flat Brook they are being taken on meal worms, flat heads, worms or any type of spinner. Bass fishing has been great in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake spinner baits, jigs and lizards are producing most fish. Mike Sullivan had a 2lb 8oz brown trout taken on the Rockaway River, Bharat Ghandi also caught 3 trout up to 3lbs on the river. Dan Greenberg had a 7.2 lb pike out of Budd Lake his father-in-law Jim had an 11.2lb Pike. The Guys from Ken & Charlies Café relate that Lake Hopatcong is off to terrific start. Striper fishing has been good at King's Cove at the western shore of the lake. Live herring are the key. Ken & Charlies open at 5am for the fishermen. Stop in and try one of their specials and pick up your boxed lunch to go. Tom from Tom's Tackle in Jamesburg sends his congratulations to Ted Soley from Englishtown, NJ for being the first BASS Federation Angler to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. Pickerel & Crappie fishing has been excellent. Lake Etra in Hightstown has been producing using live shiners, flat heads and minnow imitators such as Rapala. The story is much the same on Lake Manalapan in Jamesburg. Bass fishing is fair, the fish are bedding now Sluggo's and floating worms Fin-s-fish are also working well. Tom is now stocking zipper worms from California. They are hot! Simon Peter in Andover, NJ Trout stocking continues in Northwestern, NJ w/Big Brown are being taken on the Paulinskill River, Pequest River & Big Flat Brook. Rainbows are average in size this year while Brookies are slightly above average coming in at 12 - 14 inches. Augie Pepe took a monster 5lb5oz brookie breeder in the Paulinskill. Bob Moode and his Dad brought nice Browns and Rainbows in the Pequest. Shad fishing is in full swing and extends all the way up to NY. Simon Peter predicts that Trout Stocking will run through the end of May this should allow fishing to be excellent due to the light crowds at most trout streams. Everybody will be shad fishing through May and with the most certain better weather that is forecast fishing should stay hot. Bass are moving up to spawn and stripers in Lake Hopatcong and Cranbury should turn on. Jeff at Charlie Brenners give the following advice. Flat heads and butter worms with the right amount of split shot to just keep the bait bouncing along the bottom. This combo works best with four-pound test and an ultra-light rod and reel. Artificial baits such as "0" & "00" bladed spinners work well. Fly Fishermen and women should try "bead head nymphs." Roger from Lake's End Marina in Lake Hopatcong tells us that the season has started early. A little less rain and a little more sunshine will break fishing wide open. Dominick Sarinelli is leading the Lake's End Marina 20th Annual fishing contest with a 93/4pound striper. The tournament is open to all, just bring in your big fish to be weighed. Cash prizes are awarded each month for the biggest fish. The south end of the Lake has been producing 80% of the fish most hitting on live bait. Lures will start producing fish, try panther Martins, Roostertails, Chartreuse, white and fire tigers are good colors to try.

We will strive constantly to see that our magazine continues to offer you the info to make your day on the water a memorable one.