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4:31 pm
Growing up, I'm at the ripe old age of 30 now, one of the best, if not only places talked about for muskie fishing was the Delaware Water Gap Area on the Delaware River. However, with recent additions in musky holding water in NJ, such as Greenwood Lake, Monksville Reservoir, Lake Hopatcong, etc. I have heard less and less about the Gap.
Has the Delaware Water Gap been overpressured and thus dropped off the muskie fishing map? Does anyone still concentrate on muskie fishing the Delaware River in that section? If so do you guys fish throughout the summer or concentrate more on the spring and fall?
I used to fish the Water Gap area and the National Recreation Area from Depew/Poxono down to the Kinnitiny access for smallmouth bass all the time but never tried for muskie. Had the pleasure of seeing one once but that was many moons ago. Just curious of what guys think about that section for fishing. Thanks
Phil Metz
pmjasper9@yahoo.com
7:37 pm
Phil,
All the spots you mentioned have good muskie fishing including the Del. river. If you have the right gear and tackle all you need is enough "time on the water" fishing for them and your going to make contact with some fish. I dont know what kind of experience you have fishing for muskie, but I can tell you that you can save a lot of time learnig by going to a chapter meeting for either chpt.50 or chpt.22 and maybe joining and fishing with some members.
Bigfish
7:56 pm
I have alot of fishing experience but have never fished for muskie. I plan to put some time in this year to see if I can get my first fish. Just wanted to know if the Gap was still producing some fish. Thanks.
10:59 pm
phil, I don't want to sound like the negative guy here but.i can not emphasize enough the importance of proper equipment and release tools. there is alot of informative material in the web library.and links to other site with good info.
I ,myself am an experienced trout fisherman,and bass fisherman.and of catching these fish have given me the understanding of how to catch muskie.the catch is only half the challenge.getting it to the boat or bank without it breaking off and swimming off with a 6 inch rapala stuck in its mouth. this will most likely kill the fish.with the right line and leader this would be prevented.not to mention all the trout and bass i have released gives me with no experience in releasing muskie.handeling these fish is a hold new ball game and requires a veriety of tools.
Phil all i'm trying to say is become informed be for you go.we would love to another guy catch the muskie fever.but not at the risk of killing one of these exciting,mysterous,fragile fish.
chuck
2:28 pm
No I understand your concerns. I spoke to one of the gentleman at Muskies Inc Chapter 22. He suggested a large quality net, hook removers, hook cutters, etc. Trust me I'm not out to kill any fish. I realize they are a fragile resource. I'm not that naive to think they are such a tough fish that they can be played out to exhaustion, thus reducing their chance for survival. I realize I don't know everything there is to know about muskie. That is why I'm looking for guidence before fishing for them. Have to start somewhere. However, I also don't have infinite resources to purchase every piece of muskie fishing gear. I picked up a few lures yesterday, and will be picking up the net and hook removal tools today or tomorrow. Additional advice is welcomed.
Honestly, i'm not here to ruin anyone else's enjoyment or resource. I grew up on the Passaic River and took it personally when someone who was misguided destroyed a fish or was careless with the resource I was very fond of. The reason i posted a little about my fishing background is that some guys on other site wanted to see how much basic fishing knowledge i had so that they could instruct me from there. In there eyes, there is no use in saying to twitch a jerkbait if i didn't know what a jerkbait was. That's the only reason why I mentioned i have a good fishing background. Muskies are foreign to me and I'm all ears on learning how to catch and preserve this wonderful species. Thanks again.
Phil metz
pmjasper9@yahoo.com
2:56 pm
Phil
I have learned alot from this club in my first year. I fish above the Water Gap and the fish are there you should check out our guide for a day it might be just what you need.Tom
2:33 am
Hey Phil,i think the club has a craddle that was donated that you could buy at a discounted price.I'd have to check with others but i dont think they would mind.I think we also have a net but i'm not sure about the status on that.Just let me know if your interested.Bob
2:21 pm
Thank you Bob but last night I picked up a very large StowMaster net. Also got my hook cutters and pliers. Might get some jaw spreaders as well. Also put my Muskies Inc. check in the mail to join as a member. Thanks again.
2:41 pm
May 19, 2004
Offline
Welcome aboard. Most of our members that fish the Delaware usually report contact with fish. I'm sure you will find some success. The key here is "time on the water". The more the better.
Hey Bob - I'm interested in the donated net (not the cradle). What happened to it?
Barry
We may only see what we look for.
3:32 pm
The river is so pretty and I love getting out and fishing during the early morning hours near the Gap. Problem is i only have experience from fishing the Depew access area down to Kinnitinny access, and lots of that has been from shore for smallmouth bass. There should be a few muskie in that stretch and hopefully I can find at least one. Thanks again for all the assistance.
Phil Metz
pmjasper9@yahoo.com
4:35 pm
Phil,
Welcome, and thanks for getting involved with Muskies Inc !!!
A special thanks for picking up a stowmaster. They are a sponsor, and have generously donated one to our club for the tourney. I have one and love it. It folds in half and disappears until you need it.
The fish can swim around in that net with no problem.
Nice to hear you are starting out on the right foot! Trust me, you would end up on that foot eventually.
[&]]
4:44 pm
Yeah, a little expensive but well worth it. Like I said before I just want to do the right things to become a decent muskie fisherman. Plus when fishing out of a small boat, such as mine, it makes sense to have a net that you can fold and store. Now I just have to put it to good use. Thanks again for all tha valuable info.
Phil Metz
pmjasper9@yahoo.com
9:24 pm
March 26, 2004
Offline
Phil,
I fished for muskies out of a 12' boat with an electric for several years. It gets crowded but works. Get a friend with a second truck and it's perfect for river float trips. Some of the best parts of many rivers that are best fished that way.
Chris
6:56 pm
March 6, 2005
Offline
Phil-
Great to hear that you joined this fine group of guys. I've only been a member for about 6 weeks now, but this group of guys are great! I've been muskie fishing for a few years now, but on my first outing with another MI50 member I caught a nice pure on a body of water that otherwise I never would have fished! There is a plethora of information in the fishing reports section and a lot more when you get a chance to talk to some of the guys one on one.
It's also nice to see that you're serious enough to invest in the right equipment up front. It's expensive, but well worth it! Don't be discouraged if you don't have any action on your first outings. These fish don't come easy!!!! Good luck! -Eric [&]]
7:58 pm
Phil
We are having our Tournament May 21st check it our and post if you can make it. Tom
2:35 pm
I would like to thank everyone for Chapter 22 and Chapter 50 for their insight and advice. Yesterday I went out fishing for muskie for the first time and boated a 41" fish. The fish was netted, unhooked and promptly released. I must admit I was shaking for 15 to 20 minutes after the release. I was really glad that I had the proper release tools (large net, gloves, hook cutters and large pliers) and that the fish is still out there and getting bigger. Can't wait to go again. Thanks guys.
Phil Metz
pmjasper9@yahoo.com
3:44 pm
March 20, 2004
Offline
Phil,
What did you get her on and do you know the water temps???
Greg
4:13 pm
The water temperature was based on my surface water temperature gauge on the fish finder. The fish was caught on a Storm Baby Deep Thunderstick.
Phil Metz
pmjasper9@yahoo.com
9:13 pm
March 20, 2004
Offline
Did you post the water temps somewhere????
Greg
10:19 pm
June 23, 2004
Offline
Phil!
Welcome to the club and thanks for caring enough about the fish to get the proper equipment.
As Tom said, our tournament is coming up. If you can't or don't want to bring your boat to Beltzville, there may be an open spot on someone's boat. Just let us know.
Hope to see you at one of our meetings soon!
Capt. Dieter Scheel http://www.BigDRiverGuide.com
10:20 pm
Sorry Greg I read it quick and thought it said how did you know the water temp. Sorry. The water temps were 53 to 54 degrees. Still fairly cold. Again sorry for the miscomunnication.
2:02 am
Congratulations Phil.When are you selling your bass tackle? ;)Bob
2:11 am
April 17, 2011
Offline
That would be a great raffle idea - donate bass tackle and then we can have all of the Bass clubs buy raffle tickets. Classic - bassers buying Muskies..... It's like the six degrees of Kevin "Muskie" Bacon.... love it. I probably have a couple hundred $ of B-ass stuff that I wouldn't mind letting go... Of course we would need a beard like that stealth shark on SNL - just dolphin ma'am.... <<<<><<<
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
3:31 am
March 26, 2004
Offline
Phil,
My first legal muskie was a 50". I caught it ten years ago with a guide, who after the release said "that's the easiest 50 incher you'll ever catch." I haven't put anything over 45" in the boat since!
While this 41" may be the easiest muskie you ever catch, I'm sure it won't be the last. At least it will keep you going during the dry spells! Good job and welcome to the club.
Chris
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