I've been out of the game for too long...

[Hookmanski]

Hey all,

I used to do a lot of saltwater fishing with my dad when I was young, but through high school and college i didn't do any. My dad passed away last year, so all of the knowledge he could have shared with me is lost. I have a rod and reel and a decent knowledge of freshwater fishing, but that's it.

I'm going down to visit my grandma in Lavallette next Mon/Tues and I'd really like to do some fishing. I'd be happy with catching literally ANYTHING, even if its one finger sized baitfish. That being said, anyone have any tips on what to use this time of year? Is action better in the bay, the surf, or one of the inlets? Any advice you guys could pass on would be pretty awesome. Tight lines to all!

-Hookmanski

[fishunt]

plenty of snapper blues around. toss some small metal or fish some cutbait and you should have no problem catching something.

[Joey Dah Fish]

Toy tog in the point pleasant canal

[bulletbob]

I'll try and help out,,
Anywhere you can find some shoreline access along the bay or the Manasquan or Shrewbury river will get you some fish... Snappers are your best bet.. Small jigs or very small metal lures should get you some in either the rivers or the bay..
To be as specific as i possibly can, let me tell you what i would do if I were in your exact position... I would go to a bait store, and I would buy some frozen spearing, and a small container of frozen clams, and a few sinkers if I didn't have them .. At least 2 ounces in the river, and when the current is strong you might need 3 or 4..
I would use a couple of simple rigs on 2 rods... First I would rig a fresh water rod with a good size bobber, a split shot and a long shank hook of some sort.. I like flounder hooks, but a size 4 freshwater hook would work if thats all you have.. I would put the hook 3 feet below the bobber, and fish the spearing rig to see if snappers are around, and what size they are.. It might be great action with foot long snappers, or they miight be tiny 4 inchers..
Also i would rig another rod with a sinker and a hook and leader of I dunno, maybe 18 inches or so, again with a size 4 or size 2 hook.. With that rig I would fish pieces of clam on bottom.. also once in a while skip the clam and put a whole spearing on the bottom rig,,, Still fluke in the rivers, and you may catch a bunch of them with spearing on bottom.. Small pieces of clam or squid on bottom this time of year will bring Porgies, Spots, Kingfish, Blowfish, , Bergalls, Sea Robins, and a half dozen other species, you never know in that river, I have caught all kinds of critters in there... .. If you don't understand salt water rigging, simply go to any bait shop and buy a few winter flounder rigs, and put a piece of clam on one hook, a spearing on the other , cast it out and retrieve slow along bottom, and watch what happens.. If I wanted to catch fish, any fish,and didn't care about size or species, late summer/early fall in Shark or Manasquan rivers is hard to beat.. they are loaded with many different species of pan size fish, that are easy to catch and are a blast on a fresh water rod... Please let us know how you make out, and where you wind up going... bob

[porgylber]

If you're willing to spend a few bucks, consider hopping on a party boat, especially one targeting porgies. It has been drop and reel fishing most days, so you will catch fish and bring home meat.

[bulletbob]

If you're willing to spend a few bucks, consider hopping on a party boat, especially one targeting porgies. It has been drop and reel fishing most days, so you will catch fish and bring home meat.

Can't argue with this logic ^^... add to this the fact that you can rent rods on the boat sufficient for the species targeted, and you will have the mates to help guide you through the process, and you mentioned being there mon/tues.. the boats won't be crowded this time of year on those days.. it all depends on what you want to spend, and how much time you have . If only an hour or two, I would hit the river, If I had 7 or 8 I would jump on a party boat.. bob

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yes lots of snapper Bluefish in the surf this time of year... Go get yourself a castmater lure.

And yes the party boats are loading up on Porgies right now. For $60 you could have a nice day on the water and bring home some food for the table...

[Hookmanski]

Thanks for all the advice! Money is tight so I probably won't being going out on a boat, but I'd definitely like too at some point in the future. I think I'm going to follow Bob's method and hit the bay for awhile and just see what I can catch. I'm a multi-species angler, so I'm happy with anything I catch. Gonna grab some spearing and clams and hit the pier! I'll let you guys know what happens. Thanks again everyone, tight lines!

[bulletbob]

I would say to hit either the shark or manasquan rivers rather than the bay, but whatever.. The rivers are stiff with fish in sept, .. Barnegat Bay from the shoreline??.. meh, never did much...In any case please let us all know how you made out.. ... bob

[Hookmanski]

I would say to hit either the shark or manasquan rivers rather than the bay, but whatever.. The rivers are stiff with fish in sept, .. Barnegat Bay from the shoreline??.. meh, never did much...In any case please let us all know how you made out.. ... bob

What about the inlet? I just don't know any spots to go to on the rivers and I'd rather stay a little closer to my grandmothers place, shes only going to be free at random times so I wanna be able to run back there if necessary

[Hookmanski]

that being said if you could help me out with a spot to go to I might be willing to give it a shot if i can find the time!

[bulletbob]

There are bulkheads on both the Manasquan and Shark river inlets, right close to where they meet the ocean and thats where I would go if i were in your exact situation.. Also some fishing access further up in Shark River near the party boats, unless something has changed there since the construction.. haven;t fished there in a long time, and maybe things have changed...
There will be plenty of fishing room for you mid week this time of year... bob

[Hookmanski]

I took Bobs advice and hit the manasquan inlet this morning, very misty and overcast, couple other guys were already there when I pulled up at 7. No bites on clams or green crabs for 2 hours. I switched and tried some kastmasters for some snappers, but I wasn't seeing any and got no bites on that either. All I wanted from this trip was to catch one fish, and my saltwater angling skills are pretty subpar, and I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to shake the skunk. Started throwing clams into the current and caught two decent sized fluke, released to grow to doormat size. Mission accomplished!!! Thanks for the advice everyone, tight lines!