Wasting a trout stamp - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

MoLip · #1 11-09-2011, 05:17 PM

I'm a new member to the forum, but I've been reading it for the past 6 months. This is the first year that I bought a trout stamp and I haven't had so much as a nibble so far this year.

I've tried Duke Island Park, some smallish pond in Milltown, Assunpink Lake from the shore, and by the bridge in North Branch so far. I was going to try the South Branch next, but haven't settled on a spot just yet.

I've been using powerbait, salmon eggs, and spinners. I have a light spinning rod with 6lb red colored mono line.

Any tips you can provide is appreciated.

HerringKing · #2 11-09-2011, 07:08 PM

I would drop down to 4 lb clear mono

Salt · #3 11-09-2011, 07:23 PM

I would try going with a clear mono. Take a day and just go and observe others ask questions like you are doing here. This site is a wealth of knowledge, use it.

AVA67 · #4 11-09-2011, 07:55 PM

Drop down to clear 4 mono. Fish more, fish off peak times and areas (early and late in the day). Concentrate on areas that you are sure were fall stocked and take the time to hike away from the spots that get pounded every day. Make friends with someone who trout fishes and can show you some of the ropes.

acabtp · #5 11-09-2011, 08:31 PM

what time of day have you been trying? trout aren't that active during NJ summers, but they should be picking up again now

i also use 4# line, but i prefer fluorocarbon instead of mono

flatcreek · #6 11-09-2011, 10:17 PM

Yea what these guys said. Plus small hooks size 10 maybe , find someone to give you some pointers and try some fall stocked water like the SB. These fall stocked fish are tough to catch. I spent 3 hrs yesterday and only had 2 hits caught one, lost the other one on pink egg and one on gulp 2" minnow. I like to fish with bait, but I think you may have better luck with spinners or a small rapala and above all keep buying that trout stamp, it gets easier in the spring. The one I caught 12" bow returned, seen several fish but they didn't want to play, the water was very clear.

Wilson · #7 11-10-2011, 07:59 AM

Use this line in 4 lb. The XL stands for Xtra limp. Casts great, real lo-vis.
Do you get snagged at all? If you don't your fishing too shallow.
Trout fishing is all about the right weight for the depth of the water your fishing.
On Penns Creek this past weekend I was using a 1/4 oz. spinner. I would never use that heavy a spinner in the rivers I fish in NJ.
Read the water, make good casts, and have the right amount of weight to come close to the bottom but not anchor on it.
You want a nice drift the same speed as the water is moving.

And forget those stocked mudhole ponds. Try the So. Branch anywhere along Rt. 31 and upstream to Tewksbury.
If you don't catch at least one Trout...maybe Golf is your game

A Trout stamp does not entitle you to catch fish, it just makes it legal if you do.
Fall Trouting is a little tougher then spring time, but there is less pressure on the streams in the fall.

catfishonthelake · #8 11-10-2011, 09:25 AM

I'm no trout junky, but I have caught a few and I've caught the all on spinning gear. I do fish A LOT though and I have to put my two cents in for P-Line Fluoroclear. I've caught almost all my trout on it. It's fluorocarbon coated mono. It's has the near-zero visibility of fluorocarbon, but is still extremely limp and doesn't have all those crappy memory and uncoiling problems of fluoro. It also has the abrasion resistance of fluoro. The 4-lb casts amazingly well, is invisible underwater and is a bit tougher than 4-pound mono. It will cost you an extra buck or two for a 150 yards spool, but it's worth a try, trust me. Also, you'll get more life out of it than you would a spool of mono. I need to change my mono spools A LOT more often than I do with the P-Line.

MoLip · #9 11-10-2011, 10:50 AM

Thank you all for the feedback so far. I'll switch the line tonight to 4lb.

I've mainly been going later in the day, although I've tried early once or twice.

I'm going to try the SB this weekend.

One question about using lures. I've been attaching them right to snap swivels so I can easily change them out. Is that ineffective? Should I be tying them directly to the line?

And I'm much better at golf than I am at fishing.

Wilson · #10 11-10-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoLip

Thank you all for the feedback so far. I'll switch the line tonight to 4lb.

I've mainly been going later in the day, although I've tried early once or twice.

I'm going to try the SB this weekend.

One question about using lures. I've been attaching them right to snap swivels so I can easily change them out. Is that ineffective? Should I be tying them directly to the line?

And I'm much better at golf than I am at fishing.

I like the Spro barrel swivels to prevent line twist, tied 12" up from the spinner and I just use my main line as a leader - unless there are Pickeral in the area or Lard!! And for the record I suck at Golf