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NJ Saltwater Fishing Tips

Simple Tips for Family Fun Fishing


Father and Son FishingEvery spring on the first warm day, I get calls from friends who want to take their kids fishing. They are usually acting on what is called fishing fever and spend money on unnecessary tackle. I decided to share with you the simplicity of getting the kids hooked on fishing. These are simple tips I learned from my dad on how to get the kids into this great family sport. When I was a kid, my dad slowly introduced my brothers and me to fishing from fresh water to salt water with these beginner techniques. My Dad is a true sport fisherman and when I was very young he gave me a choice, little league or fishing every weekend with my brothers. I am sure you can guess which option I went with. You will be hooked if you have a good first-time experience. These simple tips will improve those chances ten-fold.

The first thing you need to decide is where to fish. I know from my own experience fresh water is the best place to start. There are so many great public parks in New Jersey with ponds and lakes stocked with fish, so utilize them, as they are yours to use.......
 

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Targeting Spring Striped Bass in the Back of Raritan Bay "Tip"

Here are a few tips that produce for me when I target early season Striped Bass. 

In March-April, I fish the back of Raritan Bay (Cliffwood-Keansburg) using 2 rods, one with a high low rig and the other with a fish finder rig. Clams are the bait of choice. USE ONLY FRESH ONES. I will hit creek mouths and sedge banks. Incoming tides have always been better for me. I bait up by cutting clams in half and using the ribbon from the shells. Also, I’ve gotten many Striped Bass by using just the ribbon. I try to stay away from the crowds, fishing at dusk and at hard to reach spots that a lot of fisherman will not hike to.

In late April to May I head to Sandy Hook using the same approach from the surf. By boat I'll start between the 1 can in Keyport to the Keansburg pier in 10-20 ft. of water. I'll get a bushel of clams and take 2 dozen and put them in a 5-gallon pail with a little water and smash them to make a soup. By smashing the clams in the boat I think it mimics the clammers with their rakes and rings the dinner bell for the Striped Bass. As the water warms I head to deeper water, switching to chunking bunker. Again fresh is best but I have had luck with vacuum-sealed frozen bunker as well. I cut my bunker into 4 pieces discarding the tail section. I also use a fish finder rig with 60# fluorocarbon. The heavy line tends to hold up well if blues are around. I like to anchor upcurrent of any kind of structure (i.e. a dip, rocks, mussel beds, etc.). I try to cover all parts of the water column. I also like to set out a floater by casting in front of the boat and letting it drift back.