Cabin Fever

[Hookmanski]

I'M DYING OVER HERE! Can't wait to get out in the surf again this year! I just started surf fishing last year and after hooking into my first Striped Bass i caught the bug. I just got a new setup too so i'm really itching to get out but I know i have some more waiting to do.

When does life return to the beaches and inlets? I want to start making weekend trips ASAP! I could catch anything at any size and be happy!!

[Chrisper4694]

I'M DYING OVER HERE! Can't wait to get out in the surf again this year! I just started surf fishing last year and after hooking into my first Striped Bass i caught the bug. I just got a new setup too so i'm really itching to get out but I know i have some more waiting to do.

When does life return to the beaches and inlets? I want to start making weekend trips ASAP! I could catch anything at any size and be happy!!

surf casting sucks, get a kayak!

there, that'll get people to respond to you ;)

[Hookmanski]

surf casting sucks, get a kayak!

there, that'll get people to respond to you ;)

Haha thanks ;) I have one! Think taking a 10 footer in the Bay is safe?

[Jigman13]

No

[Hookmanski]

No

That's what i thought haha, guess i'll have to stick to the shoreline and jetties

[WhaleFart]

Surf casting does not suck at all, it takes more skill and knowledge then driving a boat around and looking for A other boats B a fish finder or C trolling miles to find fish or snagging a bunker. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding types of fishing you can do. Checking logs, winds, tides, reading structure, etc takes a special desire.

Catching a 20+lb fish on the beach is 10x more fun then one on a boat or yack. Especially in the elements.

Not knocking boat fishing, but two very different types of fishing and skill involved.

[Duffman]

Surf casting does not suck at all, it takes more skill and knowledge then driving a boat around and looking for A other boats B a fish finder or C trolling miles to find fish or snagging a bunker. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding types of fishing you can do. Checking logs, winds, tides, reading structure, etc takes a special desire.

Catching a 20+lb fish on the beach is 10x more fun then one on a boat or yack. Especially in the elements.

Not knocking boat fishing, but two very different types of fishing and skill involved.

......and Chrispers trolling spread gets an early knockdown....:p

[AndyS]

From the books I have read and the photos I have seen if you are really, really, really into surf fishing for striped bass you should never see light of day. You have to go complete vampire, same goes for catching monstah weakfish.

[Hookmanski]

From the books I have read and the photos I have seen if you are really, really, really into surf fishing for striped bass you should never see light of day. You have to go complete vampire, same goes for catching monstah weakfish.

That striper I caught was actually in pitch black on a jetty, no flashlight either :rolleyes: but it was one of the coolest catches and experiences ever.

I’m really interested in catching more bluefish this year too. I caught some very, very small snappers this past summer, but even getting into some cocktails this year would be awesome.

[bulletbob]

That striper I caught was actually in pitch black on a jetty, no flashlight either :rolleyes: but it was one of the coolest catches and experiences ever.

I’m really interested in catching more bluefish this year too. I caught some very, very small snappers this past summer, but even getting into some cocktails this year would be awesome.

With Blues, its all about being there when they are.. No magic involved.. When they come close, toss a metal, reel it fast, they hit it.. stripers as you know, are dusk dawn, and into the night usually , but even then, in spring and fall, they will push bait right into the wash any time of day, and if you happen to be there, you're in... Lots of other stuff in the wash as well.. Good fluke on light tackle,along with plenty of sea robins,... Later on in summer, kingfish, blowfish, and some years Spots and Croakers are in the surf as well, if you use smaller bait... Not really"surf fishing", but the jetties at the inlets have good fishing as well, for all the species I mentioned as well as Hickory shad, winter flounder, Sundials, Blackfish, Porgies at times, and if you go to barnegat inlet rocks in summer, There are also small sea Bass, Tog, Sheepshead, triggerfish, and other oddities you usually find down south.. Not only that, but you can catch sand tiger, sandbar, thresher, brown sharks, and probably others as well as rays the size of a pickup bed off the surf at Island beach or LBI all summer.. there is a LOT of fish, large and small in the shoreline zones in the surf, jetties , bays, tidal rivers and inlet rocks in NJ... Putting in the time is the key.. Going now and then for an hour or two is not the way to get your finger on the pulse of whats really going on.. Go a lot, day and night.. put the time in, ask questions, keep your eyes and ears open, and be flexible... No need for a boat in NJ salt water if you have some time to spend... bob

[Hookmanski]

Going now and then for an hour or two is not the way to get your finger on the pulse of whats really going on.. Go a lot, day and night.. put the time in, ask questions, keep your eyes and ears open, and be flexible... No need for a boat in NJ salt water if you have some time to spend... bob

Great advice. That’s my plan this year, get out as much as possible, day or night and see what I can do. I have family in both lavalette and LBI so I’ve got places to stay, just have to fit it all in around work.

After doing more reading, it’s looking like mid to late spring is when things really turn back on? I’d go out tomorrow if there were fish to catch but I know that’s not the case.

[Jigman13]

It typically starts when you see these bloom...

Invest in decent waders, head lamp, sp minnows and other plugs. Swap out the split rings and hooks with stronger ones. Pay attn to the tides and moon phases. Ask questions when in tackle shops...

Nighttime is the right time bc the big girls play at night!

[kcritch]

Nighttime is the right time bc the big girls play at night!

Why does that sounds so dirty when you say it! Ha!

[Hookmanski]

It typically starts when you see these bloom...

Invest in decent waders, head lamp, sp minnows and other plugs. Swap out the split rings and hooks with stronger ones. Pay attn to the tides and moon phases. Ask questions when in tackle shops...

Nighttime is the right time bc the big girls play at night!

I got literally everything you mentioned over the holidays, which is why I'm so excited to get out there!! My new combo arrives next week and I can't wait.

Looks like i'm going to be driving straight to the shore after work some nights to do some night fishing. Do the blues bite at night too? or just the bass?

[Jigman13]

As bullet Bob stated... if the blues are THERE theyll bite. I've gotten them on banana peels and bare hooks... dont use anything pricey on blues. Basic Avas and tins suffice.

[bulletbob]

I got literally everything you mentioned over the holidays, which is why I'm so excited to get out there!! My new combo arrives next week and I can't wait.

Looks like i'm going to be driving straight to the shore after work some nights to do some night fishing. Do the blues bite at night too? or just the bass?

Blues bite at night but are sight feeders and not primarily night feeders...
At night in the surf, its typically a bait situation for blues. they do hit lures, but at night bait is better. You don't typically see an all out blitz when they strike anything you throw the way they do during daylight.. For blues alone, without considering stripers, I prefer mornings from sunrise to around 11 am or so , and then late afternoon/early evening from maybe 5PM to dusk.. they will hit anytime they are hungry, but for just blues, I have always done a LOT better during morning tides, shortly after sun up, till mid morning... bob

[Jigman13]

Why does that sounds so dirty when you say it! Ha!

Bc I'm a filthy bastard hahaha!

[Chrisper4694]

......and chrispers trolling spread gets an early knockdown....:p

get the rod!!!

[Chrisper4694]

Haha thanks ;) I have one! Think taking a 10 footer in the Bay is safe?

depends... 10ft what? wide sit on top and you have a partner and a dry suit...yeah it's as safe as other stuff. guys fish kayaks in the ocean through the surf, i used to do it too. if you check the weather and have the proper equipment and precautions i guarantee you i'ts safer than walking on a wet, wave pounded jetty in the dark haha.

[Hookmanski]

depends... 10ft what? wide sit on top and you have a partner and a dry suit...yeah it's as safe as other stuff. guys fish kayaks in the ocean through the surf, i used to do it too. if you check the weather and have the proper equipment and precautions i guarantee you i'ts safer than walking on a wet, wave pounded jetty in the dark haha.

Its a 10ft Sit on top, its pretty wide too. It's the Lifetime Tamarack Angler 10, aka the walmart special. I really enjoy it, but i'll definitely need a partner if going out in the bay. I've never really fished much in the bay (except for throwing snapper zappers in late summer from the bulkhead on my grandma's street in LBI) and would be open to doing it more, i just need more kayak-owning friends!:D

[Gerry Zagorski]

First fish in the spring are usually caught from the beaches of Keyport harbor in late March and are caught on bait, not lures.

[bulletbob]

First fish in the spring are usually caught from the beaches of Keyport harbor in late March and are caught on bait, not lures.

Either there or all the way down at the end of radio road at Tuckerton in Great Bay... sandworms and bloodworms.. That may have changed by now, haven't been there in decades, but it was a good "first fish of the season" spot in very early spring for stripers, some years as early as late february they would start.. Probably not this year.... bob

[Hookmanski]

First fish in the spring are usually caught from the beaches of Keyport harbor in late March and are caught on bait, not lures.

Huh, very interesting. You would think somewhere along the shoreline would be the first to get fish. Keyport being so tucked in behind sandy hook i wouldn't have thought they'd get fish that early. I'm not opposed to bait! What usually shows up first?

[Jigman13]

Huh, very interesting. You would think somewhere along the shoreline would be the first to get fish. Keyport being so tucked in behind sandy hook i wouldn't have thought they'd get fish that early. I'm not opposed to bait! What usually shows up first?

Much to learn young padawan...

[Hookmanski]

Much to learn young padawan...

That's why I'm asking the best of the best! :D Like i said, just started in the surf last year, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can before the season is here so I can have some better success! I managed pretty well on my own last year, caught a bunch of different stuff, but as you said there is much to learn!

[Duffman]

Cliffwood and west. Clams. Fishfinder rig. Start mid-March depending on weather. Sent ya a PM.

[torchee]

The last few years bunker have shown up really early. Nothing chases them in the cold bay water. Caught them in the back of the bay both from Jersey and Staten island side.

I've been shaking off the cabin fever by snagging a few
each fishable weekend in March.
Good exercise - lots of casting. Gets some bait in the freezer.

[Hookmanski]

Thanks for all the intel fellas, going start researching some of the stuff mentioned here. Can't wait to get back in the salt, I grew up spending summers in LBI working and surfing, but never fishing. Gotta make up for it this year!

[Lendawg24]

Great advice. That’s my plan this year, get out as much as possible, day or night and see what I can do. I have family in both lavalette and LBI so I’ve got places to stay, just have to fit it all in around work.

After doing more reading, it’s looking like mid to late spring is when things really turn back on? I’d go out tomorrow if there were fish to catch but I know that’s not the case.

Hookmanski
I have a family house in Lavalette as well.. just started surf fishing last year as well for the most part. Itching to get out.. we should hit the surf sometime this summer.. always looking for some fishing buddies as most of mine dont really care for fishing lol
let me know if interested... march is on its way.. cant wait
tight lines all

[Lendawg24]

highlight of the summer was battling this guy for 20-30 mins in surf

[Hookmanski]

Hookmanski
I have a family house in Lavalette as well.. just started surf fishing last year as well for the most part. Itching to get out.. we should hit the surf sometime this summer.. always looking for some fishing buddies as most of mine dont really care for fishing lol
let me know if interested... march is on its way.. cant wait
tight lines all

Awesome man, we should definitely hit the surf this summer!

[joemont]

Surf casting does not suck at all, it takes more skill and knowledge then driving a boat around and looking for A other boats B a fish finder or C trolling miles to find fish or snagging a bunker. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding types of fishing you can do. Checking logs, winds, tides, reading structure, etc takes a special desire.

Catching a 20+lb fish on the beach is 10x more fun then one on a boat or yack. Especially in the elements.

Not knocking boat fishing, but two very different types of fishing and skill involved.

I check wind , tides, structures etc every time out on my boat? Why is it more exciting to catching 20lb anything on the shore then in my boat? I even have logs along with a special desire. Nothing against surf fishing at all but I think the same principles are put in pace in al fishing