Hi All! Question too…

[Jerseyphins]

Just wanna say hi to everyone. First post, long time reader. Love the forum and all the unbelievable info that is present here. Which brings me to my question…. Looking for some general shark info for Raritan Bay. Use to do a lot of Shark fishing down in Great Bay, just South of LBI with good success. Fished nothing deeper than 10-15 feet, bunker/mackerel on fish finder rigs, bucket of bunker chum. My question is is there a shark fishery in the Raritan Bay or would I be wasting my time? Same tactics or whole new ball game? I’m not looking for specifics, just general tactics. Half the fun of fishing is finding that spot that produces which I’m looking forward to doing. Any general info for boat sharking in the bay would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for the education that I’ve gotten over the years since I’ve been visiting. Stay safe on the water!

[Detour66]

Welcome! I far as I know the only sharks caught from in the bay are sand sharks. But I am not a expert! Might want to try ocean side. Tight Lines!

[bulletbob]

They are there, but you are more likely to catch them at night.. Its been years since I lived on the bay, but do know some guys specialized in fishing for them at night, mostly brown sharks... Great Bay is probably a more consistent bay fishery for them.. Its not that far a ride down there, and if you caught them there, it might be better to stick with that.. Raritan Bay is a very different body of water and fishes very differently than Great Bay for all species,, Lived close to both of them, and each has its own learning curve,,,, bob

[Jerseyphins]

Thanks for the reply!! Just looking for something else to do during the summer with my son. Definitely an evening into night trip. Sandbar sharks are a ton of fun and get relatively big. I’m gonna give it a shot or two and see what happens.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Jerseyphins

Thanks for the reply!! Just looking for something else to do during the summer with my son. Definitely an evening into night trip. Sandbar sharks are a ton of fun and get relatively big. I’m gonna give it a shot or two and see what happens.

I can tell you, that there are big sharks in the Raritan.Sandy Hook Bay complex... Most guys don't know the techniques for fishing in the bays for them, and simply head offshore.. There were a few guys that caught them regularly in the North Jersey bays though, and you can bet they are still swimming around up there.. Probably a lot harder to find in the Raritan bay than in Great Bay though.... Good luck, and please report if you get out there.. A decent report or two on sharking in the Raritan, and you will have started a whole new fishery there.. I have seen marks in the bays on my FF as long as my boat! I would bet there are more than just sandbars in there!... Those channels are deep and long, and come right through the bays from the open ocean... Who knows what monsters follow them up from the ocean?.... bob

[Jerseyphins]

I was thinking the same thing!!! Bare minimum it’s an excuse to anchor up and relax. We’ll see how it goes. Gonna make a trip next week once the bay cleans out a little after the storm. Definitely will report back. Thanks!

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Jerseyphins

I was thinking the same thing!!! Bare minimum it’s an excuse to anchor up and relax. We’ll see how it goes. Gonna make a trip next week once the bay cleans out a little after the storm. Definitely will report back. Thanks!

If you are going to put out a slick at night, even if you don't catch a shark, you might see a few big stripers, some huge blues, maybe even a big weakfish, who knows?... If I were out there at night, I would put out a live eel on a 3x3 rig as well...

[Jerseyphins]

Thanks!!! I thought about the eels. Hate using them but we’ll see. Much appreciated!

[Duffman]

They are there. Sent you a PM

[Jerseyphins]

Thank you!!!!