Early Spring NJ Striper Fishing

[Flukenstein]

One of our favorite Raritan Bay beaches has been recently restricted. Cliffwood Beach in Aberdeen Twsp. is no longer open for night fishing. The area has been revamped (not the beach itself) and is closed at 7pm. Parking lots have gates that are closed around that time. I was fishing there in October with some friends and was greeted by a police officer around 8pm and told the park was closed and we had to leave. He then closed the parking lots. Signs with the new rules are posted and there are no changes to access or fishing of any kind before 7pm. We've been fishing that beach for over 20 years and we asked about the new policy. We were told the new rules were deemed necessary because "people have not taken care of the beach." Over the years the police had been very reasonable by ignoring small campfires and a few beers, but apparently things have changed. I'll miss my favorite spring and fall beach.

[Ry609]

Originally Posted by Flukenstein

One of our favorite Raritan Bay beaches has been recently restricted. Cliffwood Beach in Aberdeen Twsp. is no longer open for night fishing. The area has been revamped (not the beach itself) and is closed at 7pm. Parking lots have gates that are closed around that time. I was fishing there in October with some friends and was greeted by a police officer around 8pm and told the park was closed and we had to leave. He then closed the parking lots. Signs with the new rules are posted and there are no changes to access or fishing of any kind before 7pm. We've been fishing that beach for over 20 years and we asked about the new policy. We were told the new rules were deemed necessary because "people have not taken care of the beach." Over the years the police had been very reasonable by ignoring small campfires and a few beers, but apparently things have changed. I'll miss my favorite spring and fall beach.

That's a damn shame, hopefully people can still launch a kayak or is it completely close to that too? I noticed something similar at Union Beach last summer too.

[drummer2120]

Thats a shame about Cliffwood Beach love it there have caught my share of nice fish there but I have noticed over the last few years that the beach is not taken care of for sure. Had a few great overnight fishing there again a damn shame!

[Billy223]

A very nice detailed write up. Thank you for the advice and taking the time to put it down and out there for us and some new guys that stumble across this! Sucks about the cost of clam now but still going to give it a go.
Best of luck to you all

[Ryelof]

Thank You Captain Jerry, this post is like the rites of spring.

[TerriMc223]

Thanks Gerry,
Your description of the way a striper bites a clam and takes off got me going!
Water temp and the presence of bait are important but the real sign of Striper time is Forsythia in bloom. and the forsythia bush outside my home is starting to stir!
Can't wait!

[FISHGERE]

Gerry bonus tags in the spring or just the fall

[Triple Challenge]

Gerry, great write up! The bite we have enjoyed the past few seasons and the lack of any early season competitions is the main reason we decided to launch the first tourney of the Triple Challenge Tournament Series! We felt it would place big and small boats on a level playing field with the bite most likely taking place in the bay and rivers. It also presented the oppertunity to offer the kayakers a chance to either compete with the bigger boats or amongst themselves in the Kayak Division! This is more then a run of the mill tourney, this will be an event! Big Money payouts, multiple divisions, an after party and more.... they say it's all about the timing... Well the time is MAY 5th and the place is Bakers Marina on the Raritan Bay. www.TripleChallenge.org