A Failed Day at the Delaware Canal! (01/24/18, Yardley, PA)

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As always, this Winter has been quite busy! However, I finally have some time to work on the Blog. Since I am still in January (and a few fishing sessions behind), let's work hard on these posts! Heh. And on a positive note, the Florida fishing trip reports will be coming up soon. ;) 

Here is my fishing report for January 24th, 2018. The 2018 Statistical Fishing Chart was updated as well.

Location: Delaware Canal

Time: 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Fishes caught:

- None

Video:

There is no video for this fishing session. :)

Summary & Photos: 

The Delaware Canal is a great Winter fishing spot, since it is one of the only bodies of water in southeast Pennsylvania with the Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) in it. And as it is known, the different species of fish in the Esox genus are very tolerant to low water temperatures -- making it a great target during the colder months of the year.  

A Chain Pickerel from the Delaware Canal. Winter of 2016.

Taking all of that in consideration, I woke up early, prepared my fishing gear, and headed out in hopes of catching some chunky Pickerel down at the Canal. My main plan for the day was to cast a 3/8 oz. Z-Man white/chartreuse Chatterbait all around structure.

Sadly, as soon as I saw the "current situation" of the Canal, my plans immediately got crushed. Not only the water levels were extremely low in comparison to the other Winters that I had fished there, but the canal was also still frozen due to the cold air (26 - 35F/-3 - 2ºC).

The Delaware Canal. January 24th, 2018.

  

To not waste the day, I decided to walk and cast where I could -- in-between the chunks of ice. But my efforts produced no results! After fishing for a total of 4 hours or so, I finally gave up and went home. Not a single bite; not a single fish. Heh. This is exactly when that old wise fishing cliche comes into play: "There is a reason it is called fishing, and not catching." And getting skunked is definitely a part of the sport! 

Well...in the end, the experience still counts, doesn't it? :) 

Best of luck to all of us,

Long Days and Pleasant Nights!

Sincerely,

Leo S. a.k.a. Extreme Philly Fishing

August Fishing Sessions: 08/25 - Exploring and Fishing the Non-Tidal Delaware River (Morrisville, PA)

Hello, Blog Readers!

After a good while, I have finally finished the July fishing sessions here on the Blog. Now...I am very well aware that I am about 4 months behind on fishing reports here; however, it is what it is, right? :) I'm gotta take a little bit of time everyday to fill the empty voids here on the Blog, until we are back on track! Unfortunately, that's all I can do with the time that is available to me at the moment. 

Here is my fishing report for August 25th:

--- August 25th, 2015 ---

Location: Non-Tidal Delaware River/Delaware Canal (Morrisville, PA)

Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Fishes caught:

-- 4 Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

-- 2 Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus)

-- 1 Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

-- 1 Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

-- 2 Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

-- 1 Chain Pickerel (Esox niger)

P.s. As much as I want to bring you guys FULL fishing reports of every trip that I do, unfortunately I don't have the time to do so! Thus, the goal, setup, and summary sessions of every fishing post will be blank for now. If you want to see full fishing reports on the Blog again, please support me on my Patreon page. Once I reach my goal there, I will not only have enough time to write full reports, but also didactic posts and event posts for better community engagement. Tight lines and FISH ON! Leo S.

Video:

Below are the highlights for this fishing session:

Multi-Species fishing on the non-tidal Delaware River + Delaware Canal. Don't forget to watch it in HD quality (1080p50)! If you enjoy watching my videos, please support the YouTube Channel by liking and subscribing to it! :)

Goal:

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Setup:

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Summary:

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Photos:

Below are the photos for this fishing session:

A nice view of a side canal on the non-tidal Delaware River in Morrisville.

First blood: a small Bluegill from the non-tidal Delaware River!

Plenty of structure around there. Beautiful area!

A very colorful Redbreast Sunfish from the big D.

Small Largemouth Bass; however, it counts! Let's recall that everything counts for a multi-species angler. :)

The one and only of the day -- a Pumpkinseed.

Small Smallmouth Bass, caught on a Thomas E.P. Series in-line spinner.

Holy bird! I wonder how many birds are in this shot! 

To end the day, this nice Chain Pickerel decided to swallow my wacky-rigged Senko at the Delaware Canal. :)

Best of luck to all of us,

Long Days and Pleasant Nights,

Sincerely,

Leo S.

July Fishing Sessions: 07/12 - Fishing for Chain Pickerel & Other Species Around Jersey (Multiple Locations, NJ)

Hello Blog Readers!

Today I'm bringing you my fishing session for July 12th:

--- July 12th, 2015 ---

Location: Multiple locations in NJ
Time: 8:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Fishes caught:

-- 15 Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
-- 2 Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)
-- 1 Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
-- 2 Chain Pickerel (Esox niger)
-- 1 Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus)

P.s. As much as I want to bring you guys FULL fishing reports of every trip that I do, unfortunately I don't have the time to do so! Thus, the goal, setup, and summary sessions of every fishing post will be blank for now. If you want to see full fishing reports on the Blog again, please support me on my Patreon page. Once I reach my goal there, I will not only have enough time to write full reports, but also didactic posts and event posts for better community engagement. Tight lines and FISH ON! Leo S.

Video:

My fishing trip with Peter S. across NJ, including the Silver Lake, Lake Worth, and Hammonton Lake. Don't forget to watch it in HD quality (1080p50)! If you enjoy watching my videos, please support my YouTube Channel by liking and subscribing. :)

Goal:

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Setup:

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Summary:

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Photos:

Below are the photos for this fishing session:

A feisty Bluegill from Silver Lake, Clementon, NJ.

Gorgeous Chain Pickerel from Lake Worth.

Beautiful Pumpkinseed from Hammonton Lake, NJ!

Small Largemouth Bass from Hammonton Lake.

Fighting the beast Cownose Ray on the surf (with my freshwater rod)

My friend Peter S. hooked up with a nice fish.

My friend Peter S. with his first ever Cownose Ray.

10 minutes into the fight, and the fish approached the wake! Heh.

My biggest up to date saltwater fish -- a 30-40lbs Cownose Ray. Beautiful Specimen and a new Species for my list. 

Best of luck to all of us,

Long Days and Pleasant Nights,

Sincerely,

Leo S.

May Fishing Sessions: 05/06 - Multi-Species Fishing at the Delaware Canal (Yardley, PA)

Hello, Facebook Readers!

Here is my fishing report for May 6th:

--- May 6th, 2015 ---

Location: Delaware Canal (Yardley, PA)

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Fishes caught:

-- 1 Chain Pickerel (Esox niger)

-- 4 Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

-- 2 Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

-- 1 Green Sunfish X Bluegill Hybrid (Lepomis cyanellus X Lepomis macrochirus)

-- 1 Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)

-- 3 Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

Video:

Below are the highlights for this fishing session:

The video is twenty minutes long. A brief introduction and setup overview is given in the first three minutes of the video. Don't forget to watch it in HD (1080p50)! If you enjoy watching my videos, please support my YouTube Channel by liking and subscribing to it. :)

Goal: 

Although I went to the Delaware Canal for Multi-Species fishing, my main goal for the day was to catch a "Pennsylvania Chain Pickerel." Since this Species of fish is pretty rare in and around Philadelphia, it's always a pleasure to catch one of them in PA! 

Note that NJ, on the other hand, is filled with Chain Pickerel.

Setup:

For this fishing session, I used my 9" Cortland Spin Endurance noodle rod and a Shimano Symetre 4000LW with 12lbs Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon line. During the course of the session, I used the following lures/baits: (1) a piece of nightcrawler on a size #6 Eagle Claw hook; (2) Green colored Berkley Power Bait on a size #6 Eagle Claw hook, with four small split-shots; (3) a Thomas Fishing Lures E.P. Series in-line Spinner, 1/8 oz., Nickel/Gold Color.

Summary: 

I started my day on the Canal at Letchworth Avenue. I baited small pieces of nightcrawler on a size #6 Eagle Claw hook, finishing there with a few Bluegill, a Green Sunfish, a Hybrid Sunfish, and a Rainbow Trout. Then, I walked over to the right and switched gears to Powerbait. I fished the outlet area without much success, ending there with a single Rainbow Trout.

For the remaining of the day, I tied on a Thomas Lures E.P. Series in-line spinner, hoping to catch some Largemouth Bass and Chain Pickerel. A landed a few miniature Largemouth Bass, as well as a decent 1lber. Considering the fact that the Canal around Yardley only holds Bass up to two pounds, a one pounder wasn't as bad. Heh.

I ended up fulfilling my goal for the day, which was pretty neat! In other words, I was able to land a Chain Pickerel at the Canal.

Overall, a very productive day of Multi-Species fishing.

Photos:

A stocked Rainbow Trout from the Delaware Canal around Yardley. This little fella bit a piece of nightcrawler on a size #6 hook.

A Great Blue Heron waiting for a meal! 

A Largemouth Bass on the Spinner! That's to show that the Thomas Lures In-Line Spinner is good friends with any Multi-Species angler. After all, you never know what you are going to catch on it! 

A prized Chain Pickerel from Southern Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, these fish are very rare in and around Philadelphia. I have only seen Chain Pickerel from the Delaware Canal and Lake Nockamixon. Thus, always happy to catch one! The fish was safely released. 

Best of luck to all of us,

Long Days and Pleasant Nights,

Sincerely,

Leo S.

December Fishing Sessions (Last Update: COMPLETE)

Hello, Readers!

First, I would like to apologize for the inactivity here on the Blog. Unfortunately, I had a tough finals week at Temple University earlier this month (thankfully, everything is done). As for fishing, the weather hasn't helped a lot recently -- brutal weather on some days, frozen Lakes and Pond, snow+rain, etc.

Below are the photos of the month! Even though it's Winter in the USA, it's Summer in Brazil! Fishing is awesome at this time of the year. All photos were taken at the Guarapiranga Reservoir -- the place where I used to fish, with my father, during my Childhood. You can really a little bit more about the Guarapiranga Reservoir on my other post, here.

One of my father's friend holding a Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis). A gorgeous fish, isn't it?

A type of Tilapia that I have yet to identify (Tilapiine Cichlid).

And now, for the December fishing sessions...

--- December 4nd, 2013 ---

Location: Schuylkill River

Time: 4:00-7:30 p.m.

Fishes caught:

- None

I went to the Fairmount Dam with my friend Matt A.. The plan was to leave a couple rods for Catfish (or whatever bit) and have a rod for active fishing. We threw our Catfish rods out with chicken liver, but we didn't have a single solid fish the entire night. Matt lost a couple fish and I had some small bites. That was pretty much it...

And, of course, we lost a couple rigs as well. Pretty "snaggy" area. =/

Matt A. taking a photo of the Boat Row House.

Many people take the place for granted, since they pass there constantly. However, let's not forget that the place is a historical site in Philadelphia! Side note: all boathouses are more than a century old, with a couple older than 150 years! 

--- December 5th, 2013 ---

Location: Schuylkill River

Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Fishes caught:

- 2 Channel Catfish

Since the weather was pretty nice, I used the opportunity to go Catfishing on the Schuylkill Banks. I finished the day with 2 Channel Catfish -- a 2.0 and 2.5lbs. They were both caught on Shrimp. 

No monsters, but at least I got some action, which was great!

Nice little Catfish on a piece of shrimp.

Second guy of the day -- 2.5lbs.

--- December 7th, 2013 ---

Location: Linden Lake

Time: 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Fishes caught:

- 2 Chain Pickerel

- 2 Bluegill

I went fishing at Linden Lake, in Lindenwold. I was expecting some Black Crappies on my jig, but ended up with a bunch of big Bluegill and 2 Chain Pickerel.

The water was lower than usual, not to mention that all the lily pads had died already. It was tough to find the fish; thus, I was pretty happy that I finished with something. Winter fishing is certainly tough at times...

First Bluegill of the day, caught on my traditional 1/64 oz. Trout Magnet jig with a 1 inch Gulp! Alive Minnow.

Same fish, different angle. The water composition of Linden Lake certainly gives its fish a very nice coloration! Some of the most beautiful Bluegills that I've ever caught came out of Linden Lake. 

This fish hit me by surprise. I didn't measure it; however, it was pretty small. It hit the minnow around the edge, close to some bushes. The float literally disappeared under the water. I thought it was just a big Bluegill, but soon I saw that it was a cute Chain Pickerel.

Same fish, another angle. Small Pickerels are not very good fighters, but they are a lot of fun to catch! I mean...they are rare in Philadelphia, after all. 

--- December 20th, 2013 ---

Location: Upper Cooper River

Time: 11:30-2:30 p.m.

Fishes caught:

- 2 Black Crappie

- 1 Bluegill

After a good while, I was finally able to go out fishing again! The weather for the past 2 weeks hasn't been very good, not to mention that I had my finals week recently as well (I'm still recovering from it).

My mother is also visiting from Brazil; therefore, I've been spending some family time. Thus, less fishing...

I went to the Upper Cooper River with my friends Andrew N. and Matt A. (Haddonfield). The carping was very slow for Matt. Andrew finished with a bunch of small fishes (Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Green Sunfish, etc). I finished with some Black Crappie and Bluegills.

It was a good day to be outside! 

Small Black Crappie on the small jig.

One of the many Bluegills from the Upper Cooper River.

Andrew N. with a Black Crappie. He's showing his face of disappointment towards the size of the fish...Heh.

Our Carping rods, ready for some action! Unfortunately, no Carp showed up in the end. =(

--- December 22nd, 2013 ---

Location: Newton Lake

Time: 11:30-4:00 p.m.

Fishes caught:

- 1 Black Crappie

- 4 Bluegill
- 1 Brown Bullhead

Since the weather was so nice, I went fishing at Newton Lake with my friend Matt A.. The plan was to catch some small Bluegills and use them as bait for the bigger fish. We also brought some nightcrawlers and corn. I finished the day with a couple Bluegill, Black Crappie, and one Brown Bullhead. Matt decided to Carp and unfortunately he got skunked (he did catch a couple Bluegills, though).

While we fished, there were a couple Bass boats out. We even saw one guy land a small Largemouth Bass on a spinner bait. Pretty neat! Gotta enjoy while the weather is nice! Today is the first day of Winter, and perhaps it will be the warmest of this season...

Little Bluegill from Newton Lake

A little rainy; otherwise, beautiful weather to be outside.

A Black Crappie, caught on a whole nightcrawler! Ha! 

A Brown Bullhead (probably my first one from Newton Lake), also caught on a nightcrawler.