If you could only fish for one

[Life's A Beach]

What's your favorite specie to fish for?

Please vote in the poll and post a reply; Reasons for WHY it's your favorite included.

You Vote Can Be Seen By Everyone!

[Life's A Beach]

It's close between blackfish and fluke for me but if I had to pick one, it would be fluke.

While the blackfish are more challenging and I love the fight of a tog, I picked the toothie flatfish. I really look forward to spending the summer out on the water trying to find and catch those big boys!

[Skolmann]

I voted for fluke. Really enjoy bucktailing. Be it on light tackle in the backbays or rivers or using heavier stuff out in the deep.

If you would not have seperated striped bass into 2 categories (bait & artificals) it would have been a tough choice for me to make.

Blackfish & winter flounder would round out my list.

[Capt. Jerry P]

Tough decision

ya know what i picked:D , but fluke was pretty close 2nd

[Reel Class]

fluke

[Jerzfishermen]

I picked fluke. I love that warm weather!!!!!! :cool:

[Sykk Physh Sportfishing]

Stripers and Blackfish,, Love the Fluke but the season's and regs are killing it..

As far as southern fish Gotta Love Tarpon! The POON is King!

[Kup]

Fluke with Stripers a real close 2nd. I love the change in seasons. If howeve, weak fish were consistent they would be the best by far. DE Bay in the late 60's early 70's phenomenal.

[PAMonger]

What the heck???? No tilefish or cod options??

[Life's A Beach]

What the heck???? No tilefish or cod options??


If you're serious - NO

If you're not - (smiley face)

[88man]

Big Rock

[SeaTrout]

I had to go with Stripers........apparently LAB does not fish for weakies!

[hartattack]

Fluke - - they're abundant, delicious, can be caught from shore, and when the young 'uns and newbies are looking for summer fun, Fluke provide plenty of action. Too bad catching a limit in NJ is a rarity compared to previous years:eek:

[Boston Pete]

Have to go with blackfish with fluke a close 2nd.....nothing gets the blood going like when those blackfish start to chew, can't get your crab down fast enough....thankful their seasons don't cross and i don't have to make that choice.


I will bet my bottom dollar that stripers will be have the most votes....this is jersey right...:D

[bigfishtale]

Was torn between fluke and blackfish. Love light tackle bucktailing for the flatties, but there's just something about the smell of diesel on a nice winter day and then you catch the fine aroma of green crabs in the air:D


Although I might have gone with bunker or killies if they were on the list. Livelining krill for menhaden is going to be the next big thing ;)

[JoeLongo]

Definitely striped bass with bait. The size of them is what made me lean in that direction, you never know what you will get. Aside from that, you never know what else you will get on bait.

[PAMonger]

Jumbo sea bass are yummy....

That is all.

[NoodleRod]

Blackfish,fluke pose no challenge.

[Leif]

I like the booger poll better! Why can everyone see my vote? Are you sure they can see it??? Can I vote more than once? Can I pick more than one?
Can I vote with an explaination?? Why is Cod not on the list? Lastly, why is there not a Freshwater poll? Or is there?


Leif

[hammer4reel]

Live Lining for Striped bass

[smokeyjoe]

From the beaches, jetties, sod banks, canal and river banks I have fished for stripers along the jersey shore & delaware beaches for 20 yrs . I have had the privilage to fish with some of the best known and unknown surf casters/fly around. Its definitely would be a best seller if the stories were written.
However, have been introduced to Blackfish a little over a year now

For the big ones over 12 lbs Best decribed as challenging,frustrating,
WOW, and
the rush you get as my big greek friend would say its Addicting

My vote would be
1. Blackfish (new at it) best to date 13.5 goal this year 16lbr fishmonger take me to the promised land
2. Strippers (nothing like a 30lbr on a popper in the morning)
3. Fluke (Big Al going to introduce me the big ones this season)
4. Blue fish on fly rod

Great thread yodo !

[Birds Nest]

Mahi :p

But I voted for fluke. My better half's answer would probably be blackfish.

[howarda780]

T U N A

[lastportofcall]

There is only ONE.


LING

[fin_s_guy]

I had to go with Fluke...but lean toward Blackfish. If I didn't have to freeze my ballz off while toggin then it would have been a no brainer. The colder days do keep the jetskis and weekend drunks off the water....hmmmm. :D

I like the variety of techniques for the Fluke fishing and different types of conditions encountered....but a fresh Whitey dropped right into the pickle barrel...hmmm....


ARGHHHH...THEY BOTH KICK ARSE!!!



Fin_S
:cool:

[AndyS]

Not too many offshore guys on here I guess.

Chunk or troll or jig. Ever see a 250 lb. Bigeye crash a spreader bar ?

Ever see a Longfin shoot out from under a pot and kill a green machine ?

Your sardine gets hit at 40+ mph !

Rod on the rail, nutz in your socks, hands cramping, trying to gain back 3 yards you lost 20 minutes ago !

Circle of death, who is gonna die first, me or the fish.

Jigs getting crushed on the drop !

See yellowfin boil in the slick, gets the blood boiling !

Fish swimming at the boat then turns on a dime !

T U N A !!!!!!!

[Duffman]

W/o a doubt tuna.

"circle of death" gotta love that.

What other fish (ON THIS LIST!!!!!) do you land, then sit down laughing like a 6 yr old for 20 minutes, with your arms feeling like jelly?

[joeya78]

Love the Blacks, but the striper is a phenominal species in size and the way you could be in them on bait pretty good. Love thi striper

[PROUDDAD]

I say seabass, because of the abundance, and the bag limit. They' re easy to fish for (family trips). Fluke was close 2nd for me.

[Reelron]

Got to agree with Hammer, just ain't nothing that compares to livelining bunker for Bass. When that big tail comes out of the water to slap that bunker silly , that is a rush!

[Nukeman]

Fluke,Takes some skill for the big boys. Been fishing for many years and 12.5 is my best. Live snapper did the trick:) :) :)

[Gerry Zagorski]

Live lining Stripers with live Bunker....

Out at the Rocks last year in July was unfrikkinbelieveable!!!

- Go out and get some bunker (fun in itself)
- Take the run down to the Rocks with your heart pumpin in anticipation
the whole way
- Find your spot
- Anchor up
- Throw a live Bunker out and watch him swim on the surface while
having hands free to drink a cold adult beverage and shoot the
breeze wit dah boyz.
- Seeing a Striper come up to the surface and wack your Bunker
- Leisurley take your poll out of the holder and send the hook home
- Talkin trash to you buds while the fish is on
- Talkin trash again on the ride home

Now that's what I call "Gentleman Fishing" and it can be done any night of the week after work.

[Don Jones]

Fluke is #1 for the variety of opportunities (but hate the shortened season and tougher size limits!) Been fishing for them for 40+ years from 6 different small boats I've owned.
Close second for seabass...long season, abundance and the fact my kids always caught some with me.....they are now adults!
Used to love blues back in the day (1960-70's) before I ever saw a striper, but now stripers are a third place (but on the way up!)

[broken bobber]

rite.........

[PAMonger]

Not too many offshore guys on here I guess.

Chunk or troll or jig. Ever see a 250 lb. Bigeye crash a spreader bar ?

Ever see a Longfin shoot out from under a pot and kill a green machine ?

Your sardine gets hit at 40+ mph !

Rod on the rail, nutz in your socks, hands cramping, trying to gain back 3 yards you lost 20 minutes ago !

Circle of death, who is gonna die first, me or the fish.

Jigs getting crushed on the drop !

See yellowfin boil in the slick, gets the blood boiling !

Fish swimming at the boat then turns on a dime !

T U N A !!!!!!!


I went on my first tuna trip this fall and struck out (as did most people this fall). But if it was a trip like you describe, I would have to make that my favorite.

If I had done a shark trip, then that might be even better.

[Solemate]

Tog are the most fun to catch, but Fluke are the most challenging to find and then catch.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great pic Tommy... Thanks for posting them.

DATS WAT I'M TAWKIN ABOUT!!

[Mike Mac]

Stripers...... you never know when your gonna get that slob!!!!

[Richy B]

From my own boat I'd have to go with Stripers, beutiful time of year (spring and fall run) and great action.

For overall action and a Great time........nothing like being on a NJFishing Tuna Trip.

I was torn between voting....so I chose Stripers because I fish for them more often.

[jmurr711]

gotta be slippey bass for me. i've been addicted since i was 6

[JoeLongo]

It is amazing how long this winter has been. It seems each one gets longer. Spring couldnt get here soon enough.

[Leif]

Seriously, that's a tough one! I like em all but I have to agree with AndyS.

If it was only one, I'll take a Tuna! Yellowfin, Bigeye, Bluefin, Albacore, jigs, bait or on the troll, you just can't beat it as far as I'm concerned.


Leif

[jigamafish]

Blackfish is my new obsession, but if I could only fish for one, stripers. Lots o ways to catch em with a pretty big window.

[In Pursuit]

Bass with Tuna a close second.

[Quanman]

while I do enjoy fishing for the inshore species, my vote is definately Tuna.

Chinese firedrills when a wolf pack of bigeyes crash the spread, or 4 or 5 knock downs when you troll over a school of longfin.

Then comes the dark. Start chunking, turn on the lights, and the squid show up. Live line some squid. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ screaming drags.

And we haven't even gotten to the deep rod yet. :eek:

[Bottom Dweller]

Tuna. Haven't caught a giant bluefin yet maybe never will, caught my first bluefin this year. have caught a dozen or so yellowfin and others. Next would be stripers, sticking with what i'm good at. Livelining has gotten me a fair amount of stripers from small ones up to 35lbs. Still waiting to find the 50lb'er

[Scoundrel]

Fluke is the only way
What better way to get kids involved in fishing?
Who doesn't like to eat Fluke?

Besides, It is the only fish you can catch while napping on a bean-bag with a Miller-Lite in your hand.

[cool hand fluke]

Fluke - love bucktailing and the friends I've made and continue to make chasing my passion...Al

[kyle7683]

had to go with baiting stripers, got this slob on a bunker

[Two Captains]

Watchin my son, Fluke Doggy Dog, catch Fat Flatties on light tackle way back in the river,.... only because I couldn't find the Whiting button.

[Mark215]

I voted for tog

[regulator 29]

shark. nothing is more of a challenge in my eyes than wiring a 200 pound mako boatside and there is no bigger rush out there either.

[scardino152]

tuna

[MVP]

1st choice was blackfish. The challenge of putting a catch together when 80% of other fisherman are having a tough time and then giving extra fish to those who did not fare as well.
2nd choice Jigging Tuna - The physical workout that catching tuna puts on your body is a rush.
3rd Choice Bucktailing Fluke on Rocky bottom. Fishing the sticky stuff takes a little more skill than dragging bait on sandy bottom. Also the pay off is uasually bigger fish.

MVP

[O'Connor]

surf fishing. no charter or party boat captain needed to find fish for you..no gps, temperature gauges or fishfinders to put you on the fish...actually casting rather then dropping...walking a beach or hitting a few jetties at night...stopping to chat with guys in the club you see along the beach or driving from spot to spot..hitting the fisherman's den(headquarters) for a coffee and to talk to the guys. coming and going as you please... nothing beats it and I miss it every day. It has to be the rawest form of fishing left on the planet. not much has changed in surf fishing. second is steelhead, salmon and brown trout fishing in lake ontario tribs...I have had more fun up there with my friends then anywhere else. when I fluke fish I get bored and drink beer. same as blackfishing. it is more of a social deal, like a party to me. that is why fluke and blackfish are tied for third.. Tuna...after five minutes on the rod it becomes work...few times a year is enough for me. shark...drifting and dreaming..but awesome when the rod goes off!

i really hacked up mikeys poll, but that is the line up for me. :)

[cha-ching]

striper fishing rules!!! i`m still after the 50# bass

[shrimpman steve]

Time to chime in (as requested by smokey:D ). I voted for fluke although tog is a close second. I love to spend the summer days bouncing bucktails with REAL light tackle. I have been after a 10 pounder for many years and that hunt keeps my comming back for more. Toggin is a close second, as I feel it's one of the few fish you really need some skill to catch.

I do love setting the hook on that bucktail as you feel the fish take the bait. Lazy summer days in NJ or Montauk just can't be beat.

bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

smokey, let's get some bucktailing done on your boat this year, we'll have a blast (or kill each other)!

see you soon

[Ol Pedro]

It has to be Tuna . Big Eye , Bluefin ,Yellowfin , and Longfin in that order. My first Tuna trip was on the New Seaforth out of San Diego . I was 11 and it cost me 11 or 12 dollars . I caught 2 Longfin and I was hooked after that . I'm 53 and still get pumped every trip .

[Mikefishin09]

It would have to be BLUEFIN tuna
In 1969 at age 11 I was on the rod for the footballs.
In the afternoon I was not allowed near a screaming reel cause the 60"s on up moved in to feed.
A picture of 137 pounder with me standing in the shadow is still very vivd in my memories of such a great fishery in the Mud Hole. From the BA to the HA was a far cry from running to the canyon in Aug thru Oct.
At age 50 I still very much enjoy the thrill of that reel screaming for mercy

[BottomBouncer13]

Blackfish with fluke a close 2nd...the challenge keeps me comming back 4 more....

[fishonmike]

Stripers with live bunker :D and fluke 2nd :)

[NATE THE MATE]

I like the slipperies, nothing like the tallytautog, but tuna is my second

[mickrazz]

I like blackfishing. Its challenging to catch them. Fluke is a close second though.

[bigfishtale]

Wow, flounder on the same level as yellow-eyed demons:eek:
No luv for either:p

[snafu313]

Blackfish for no other reason that I totally suck at fluke fishing

[pb&jj]

its a tuff decision i do like showin off the bod while flukin :rolleyes: but blacks(fish) are the only fish that make me tawk to myself when tryin to set a hook in a fish thats just takin bait after bait. makes ur hands shake when a "big friggin tog" takes ya in the structure and u just know this fish just had its way with ya. Only on the Johnny B aka The Beanhead

[irishc]

Not too many offshore guys on here I guess.

Chunk or troll or jig. Ever see a 250 lb. Bigeye crash a spreader bar ?

Ever see a Longfin shoot out from under a pot and kill a green machine ?

Your sardine gets hit at 40+ mph !

Rod on the rail, nutz in your socks, hands cramping, trying to gain back 3 yards you lost 20 minutes ago !

Circle of death, who is gonna die first, me or the fish.

Jigs getting crushed on the drop !

See yellowfin boil in the slick, gets the blood boiling !

Fish swimming at the boat then turns on a dime !

T U N A !!!!!!!
Tuna is my # 1 for all the same reasons. Striped Bass and Blackfish are a close # 2. As for tablefare, you can't beat Sea Bass, Ling & Winter flounder. Fluke fishing is relaxing and alot of fun but I don't think they are as good eating as the previously mentioned fish or are as fun to catch as my # 1 or 2....but that's just me! Good Thread!!!

[Life's A Beach]

Wow, flounder on the same level as yellow-eyed demons:eek:
No luv for either:p


Didn't expect much from flounder......no fall season anymore and not much of a spring season due to late start AND early bluefish.

Bluefish ???? Thought SOMEONE would have picked them.

Ling........knew no one would pick this (u r funny tiny tim) and SHOULD have put up weakfish instead.

Poll stays going for a total of 5 days. Click on any # in the actual poll to see WHO voted for WHAT. It's funny. Guys with Fluke in their username picked Tuna. Guys with Tuna in their username picked stripers. And two MAKO usernames didn't pick Shark????

[smokeyjoe]

Enjoying this thread.............:D

[Blackfish Bobby]

tog

[Got Bottom?]

blackfish being like what someone stated earlier, are the only fish i cant help but talk to when i'm getting a bite.

[Blackfish Doug]

Nobody has to guess what I voted for.

[jetsea]

my first choice is fluke because you can use many techniques to catch them.the weather is warm & relaxing.second is stripe bass because of the size.

[Grateful Dad]

I picked fluke, because it is one of the very few fish that I know how to catch. That, and I love those summer days on the water.

[mj4]

Rite now seabass because thats what ive been fishing for lately.I love flukin with my kids.Nothin like tuna but i dont have the boat or $$ to do enough of it.If i had to pick one nothin gets my blood pumpin like BLACKFISH.

[sea nymph]

Fluke - tastes great, fun to fish and gives me the opportunity to spend more time with my son on our small boat.

[Last Call]

Nothing like a mako for me.

[River Rat]

Gotta go with Fluke... Tog are a close second only due to the short season & cold weather....

Cant wait to get back out there... COME ON>>> BITE IT!!

[Liv2Fish]

Wow, I can't believe Stripers w/artifcials is only ~5%. Haven't any of you experienced a fall night walking down the beach casting under the moon, catching fish after fish....
or fishing the flats of Cape-cod bay casting at schools of 20lb fish with top water Hogy's. Nothing beats that..

[Leif]

Wow, I can't believe Stripers w/artifcials is only ~5%. Haven't any of you experienced a fall night walking down the beach casting under the moon, catching fish after fish....
or fishing the flats of Cape-cod bay casting at schools of 20lb fish with top water Hogy's. Nothing beats that..
I voted for tuna but I thought the same thing after voting. Nothing like watching a bass nail that pencil popper, or turn on its side to enhale a fly right in front of your eyes. Or like you said on the beach at night feeling that fish grab plug. Interesting poll and post.

Leif

[Lowrider]

Have to be roaming the 1oo fathom line hunting Tuna scratch that Big Eye to be specific...:D :D :D

[Tony Cav]

If all things were equal, cost, time, availability, I would have to choose Tuna, the most bang for the buck. Otherwise it might be Stripers or fluke. Fluke mostly because of the time of year, warm breezes, good numbers, lots of action. And because I can usually catch my own bait in one form or another.

[Mikefishin09]

Bluefin tuna would be the pick
dating myslef back to 1969 when the mudhole held some good tuna in the Aug thru Oct months
Reels screaming and schoolies abound
then the big boys would roll in for the afternoon feeding
The 9/0 put away and the 10/0 and 12/0 brought to handle the 150 plus that used roam around
Memories of my dad in the chair and aching muscles on the trip in

Just think of todays fishery had the market for sushi never developed LOL