New Long Branch Fishing Pier

[Fishfulthinkin]

I like this!!! We used to fish off the old pier in the 70’s catching whiting, then have some cocktails in the pier bar. Good days!

[Broad Bill]

That is great news! Shocking but great! With all the money New Jersey recreational anglers pour into state and federal coffers, it about time a decent pier is in the plans to promote a legacy recreational activity. If it's draws fish anywhere near how the old pier did, it'll be an incredible success story. That area, proximity to structure in deeper water, lights at night attracting bait fish, crabs, lobsters attracted to the pilings and blackfish attracted to the crustaceans, it was a fisherman's dream. Some of the best fluke fishing I've ever seen came off that pier, especially in the fall when schools of big fluke came inshore for the beginning of the mullet run to store up energy before beginning their long journey off shore. I'd bet if we see sand eels return in numbers, you'll reestablish a night ling fishery as well with maybe a token whiting thrown in the mix. The ling / whiting fishery every night if you had a high tide was literally off the charts with triple headers coming up routinely. As soon as it got dark, sand eels would flood in and ling and whiting would follow. It was like clockwork. Plus it was a relatively cheap way for a family or anyone to spend a day at the shore with a chance of catching dinner or a fish of a lifetime. People who never knew the old pier have no idea how incredibly great it was. Good to see someone finally made the decision and financial commitment to replace it, never thought we'd ever see that happen certainly in my lifetime. Kudo's to the state and Long Branch for making this commitment. Job well done!

[Togfather2530]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

That is great news! Shocking but great! With all the money New Jersey recreational anglers pour into state and federal coffers, it about time a decent pier is in the plans to promote a legacy recreational activity. If it's draws fish anywhere near how the old pier did, it'll be an incredible success story. That area, proximity to structure in deeper water, lights at night attracting bait fish, crabs, lobsters attracted to the pilings and blackfish attracted to the crustaceans, it was a fisherman's dream. Some of the best fluke fishing I've ever seen came off that pier, especially in the fall when schools of big fluke came inshore for the beginning of the mullet run to store up energy before beginning their long journey off shore. I'd bet if we see sand eels return in numbers, you'll reestablish a night ling fishery as well with maybe a token whiting thrown in the mix. The ling / whiting fishery every night if you had a high tide was literally off the charts with triple headers coming up routinely. As soon as it got dark, sand eels would flood in and ling and whiting would follow. It was like clockwork. Plus it was a relatively cheap way for a family or anyone to spend a day at the shore with a chance of catching dinner or a fish of a lifetime. People who never knew the old pier have no idea how incredibly great it was. Good to see someone finally made the decision and financial commitment to replace it, never thought we'd ever see that happen certainly in my lifetime. Kudo's to the state and Long Branch for making this commitment. Job well done!

Living in the past reminiscing, I get it. The fishing isn’t comparable today.

[catsmeow]

Having been there in the 50's i would agree with bob

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by Togfather2530

Living in the past reminiscing, I get it. The fishing isn’t comparable today.

Not living in the past, just talking about it which is allowed correct?

[Togfather2530]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

Not living in the past, just talking about it which is allowed correct?

Yes Bill I agree. You are totally allowed to talk about it. I just would not expect the same results on the new peer that you had on the old one. I hope more than anyone that those days return. Hell the fishing isn’t even meant that good with $150,000 boat and the best electronic equipment can buy lol. I don’t consider myself the best fisherman by any means, but I have gotten better over the years and it continually becomes harder and harder so that should tell you something

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by Togfather2530

Yes Bill I agree. You are totally allowed to talk about it. I just would not expect the same results on the new peer that you had on the old one. I hope more than anyone that those days return. Hell the fishing isn’t even meant that good with $150,000 boat and the best electronic equipment can buy lol. I don’t consider myself the best fisherman by any means, but I have gotten better over the years and it continually becomes harder and harder so that should tell you something

TF I agree, if my post implied the fishing would be the same that wasn't my intent. With that said, I think IF the pier extends far enough there could be a very good fluke fishery. I also think there could be some ling caught again, whiting is a different issue. I think with the resurgence of bunker and bass, there could be a decent seasonal bass fishery, limited but it could happen. I think black fish will be attracted and any other species attracted by jetties. Will it be the same fishery as the 60's and 70's, none are. Would it be great to have a decent ocean fishing pier, yes. That's all I was trying to say.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Togfather2530

Living in the past reminiscing, I get it. The fishing isn’t comparable today.

You probably should take up golf

[Togfather2530]

Yeah you’re probably right the golf is probably better today. They probably have better courses etc. than they had back in the day. I however don’t golf. I do, however, except the truth of what we are facing today. Once that peer is in there, let me know how many ling and whiting you catch. 🤣🤣🤦*♂️🤦*♂️.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Togfather2530

Yeah you’re probably right the golf is probably better today. They probably have better courses etc. than they had back in the day. I however don’t golf. I do, however, except the truth of what we are facing today. Once that peer is in there, let me know how many ling and whiting you catch. ������*♂️��*♂️.

I don’t expect to see either of those fish there .
But there def has been more whiting and ling at the mud hole than in years .
A commercial friend of mine usually lets me know when to go .
We get enough whiting for one good smoke
And the whiting have been pretty decent size .