It’s hard to believe that another October is here, but it is and that means it’s time to focus our attention back to the in-shore waters of coastal New Jersey.
The Striped Bass: New Jersey’s premiere saltwater gamefish, will start making their fall run southbound along the Atlantic Seaboard. These fish will be accessible from the surf and by boat throughout the entire autumn season. While taking a stab at these beauties, you may also run into Blue Fish and False Albacore. Here are some tips for first-time and seasoned New Jersey anglers targeting stripers from the surf.
Where: Go to Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area and park at the Fishing Beach or any where you see other vehicles. Any inlet with moving water is also good to target.
When: During a moving tide, preferably incoming. Early light. Walk the beach and look around for birds, nervous water, and splashing bait. And most importantly, other anglers.
What to Use:
Surf Casting 8ft to 12ft medium heavy surf rod with a 3 -5k series spinning reel that is made for the surf. Saltwater is not a reels best friend - make sure you select a fairly sealed option. Soft plastic swimbaits that resemble shads, bunker, sand eels and rain bait, same for Plugs-white/yellow/golden or white body/red head are top producing colors, Diamond Jigs, or Bucktails tipped with strips or Gulp.
Fly Fishing- 8-10wt saltwater rods are the range with 9wt being the best option. Intermediate line, heavy sink if they are down. Cortland line or floating if feeding on the surface. Flies to use- clousers & streamers when feeding down low.
Line: 15-25lb braid connected to a Spro Power Swivel(size 8 - 50lb) and a 36" 40lb mono or fluoro leader connected to a Tactical Anglers Clip(75lb)
Need more information? Not a problem. Stop by and talk to one of our experts in the fishing department of either of our stores for more details.
