NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Helping Each Other Out => Topic started by: kayak1 on February 05, 2009, 05:18:30 PM

Title: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: kayak1 on February 05, 2009, 05:18:30 PM

I would like to try fishing the Raritan bay this spring with the Kayak.... Can I get some feed back as to best places to go in the area....

what ever help..... would be great

Thanks
Dave

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on February 05, 2009, 06:27:40 PM

the reach channels are very productive for just about everything.  Fluke, bluefish, spring stripers and weakfish.

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: CapBob on February 05, 2009, 07:57:53 PM

Start early around Lawrence Harbor and Pebble Beach in Union Beach...first area Stripers show...work the coast on the southern side of the Bar, Stripers and big Tide Runner Weaks as time goes on

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: ped579 on February 06, 2009, 12:06:39 AM

Just make sure you stay on the NJ side it will cost you big time if caught with the wrong size fish.  Plus make sure to fly a very high viability flag there are some real crazies up there.

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: wingshooter on February 06, 2009, 07:14:04 AM

theres quite a few Yakkers that fish the bay,,, good luck

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: Capt. Carl on February 06, 2009, 07:23:45 AM

cliffwood beach is a nice early bass spot

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: Duffman on February 06, 2009, 07:59:45 AM

   Put in at the Keyport Muni Ramp. There is beach access right next to the ramp that is an easy in/out for you.
   From there, you can work the shoreline heading north, up and around Conaskonk Pt. Good striper fishing early (April/May) and good fluking from June on.
   Paddle across from the ramp into the sailboat moorings. Channel runs through the center of the mooring field and produces some nice weakies in May. Just be careful on weekends, the googs will run ya over whn coming through, fly that flag high!
  Head west from the moorings and work the Cliffwood shoreline and the rock wall. Again, its stripers, weaks and fluke as the season wears on.
  Good luck. Some real nice shallow water fishing to had back there.

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: gottog on February 06, 2009, 12:05:35 PM

Quote from: Luna Sea 3 on February 05, 2009, 06:27:40 PM

the reach channels are very productive for just about everything.  Fluke, bluefish, spring stripers and weakfish.

LOTS of boat traffic so be careful.  BIG ships, tankers, etc.  Stick to shallows and fish structure or the flats.

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: catfish hunter on February 06, 2009, 12:27:31 PM

early fluke season you can pound the flats and bang on them but please put up a flag ,to many of them out there that are dark in color and you cant see them in foggy or rainy weather ,I saw a few almost get taken out in the past couple years .fish it on a weekday first

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: Vinnym on February 06, 2009, 01:42:47 PM

I agree that you should stick to the shallows because of the boat traffic. I would watch going out to the reach. The ships come through pretty quickly. Union Beach, Pebble Beach is a good early striper spot. Also, Keyport flats and the west side of Keansburg pier. Later on the weakies move into Keyport harbor. You can fish all around the sailboat moorings for good action on weaks and blues with the stripers mixed in.

Good luck!  I'll be looking for you.  grtn

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: kayak1 on February 06, 2009, 03:19:59 PM

Wow..... Now that is some great information to use this spring.....

I know what works good in my area I fish......
Would I be using plugs or bait in the spring for the bass......
Also is there much of a bunker run in the areas I would be fishing with the kayak.......

Thanks again for your help....just looking to try something new this year.....

Thanks
Dave

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: CapBob on February 06, 2009, 03:24:27 PM

Don't overlook the Navesink River.....I do a lot of plugging around the grass banks, catch some real nice fish in the shallows TT^

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: wb on February 06, 2009, 04:27:40 PM

Quote from: ped579 on February 06, 2009, 12:06:39 AM

there are some real crazies up there.

we resemble that remark  nts

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: ped579 on February 07, 2009, 01:36:17 AM

And I bet some guys are proud of it... :P

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: Duffman on February 07, 2009, 07:38:30 AM

Quote from: kayak1 on February 06, 2009, 03:19:59 PM

Wow..... Now that is some great information to use this spring.....

I know what works good in my area I fish......
Would I be using plugs or bait in the spring for the bass......
Also is there much of a bunker run in the areas I would be fishing with the kayak.......

Thanks again for your help....just looking to try something new this year.....

Thanks
Dave

Early on it will be a clam bite. Yes, there are a ton of bunker once the water warms and they move in.  Basically, any methods you use for bass elsewhere will work here.
 When you head north from the launching beach, give a tube and worm a try. Troll the shallows along the beach at first light.

Title: Re: Looking to Fish Raritan bay
Post by: captainbailey on February 07, 2009, 08:05:45 AM

union. pebble offer some of the best bass fishing i've encountered.  The bite is hot on clams at night during high tide.When i see you out there this spring I'll try not to put 4 oz through your yak. >:D