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.