Today I took the Kayak out to Van Buskirk County Park in Oradell, New Jersey. In Bergen County there isn’t too much Kayak access to choose from so I was curiously excited when the watershed decided to open up the site of a former water company plant for recreational use.
I took my kayak, a 10.5′ Pelican Sentinel fishing kayak and launched it on the floating dock that is accessible during summer from dawn till dusk. I came too early on day in the morning and the dock was locked up, so realistically it opens around 8-9am. Once you get out onto the water it takes you straight out for about 1/4 of a mile before branching off on two separate directions. Eventually reaching a bridge which on the other side opens up to the Tappan Reservoir. There is a big sign on top of the bridge that states boats can not go any further and paddling into the reservoir is trespassing. So I decided to stay within park limits.
This particular part of the Hackensack River is known to contain a multitude of fish species such as Crappie, Largemouth bass, Perch, Bluegill and even the rare and sought after Hybrid Striped Bass. I have caught hybrid striped bass here previously in the fall and spring but they typically wont be found here in the heat of summer.
After casting for some time trying different baits I eventually had some luck on a small Rapala Minnow and caught a small Crappie. The rest of the day I was skunked out but I am optimistic to return in the fall for some hybrids.
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