Need some tips for any fish in Avalon.

[gregman1069]

I'm the new guy here so please be gentle. I work in Avalon and am relagated to fishing at night (6pm and later). What are some tips for catching anything. I'm not having much luck. How do I cut bunker? How do I cut and hook the clam? I don't have a boat and can only fish from banks or docks or land. What type of places should I look for? I have two 7' poles and one 6' pole. I like using lures but everybody is telling me to use bait. I have some squid in the freezer. Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[IrishAyes]

Greg,
I haven't surf fished in years.  But I do remember what I would do is go to the beach at low tide.  Look for the holes and cutouts.  Fish these areas.  I did mostly plugging myself so I can't help you much on the bait stuff from the surf.  I'm sure there are others on here with more knowledge from the surf than I have.
My preference for a plugging rod was a 9' medium action.  Penn reel with 12# mono (they didn't have braid back then, hey, I'm old, they didn't have History when I went to school)

Good luck.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Gregman1069,

I do not fish the Avalon area (but I do have a drink or two down there in some cool local spots). However, I think we all can help you out.

First, the hours you are talking about fishing are magic ... especially as it gets further into the Summer. I am sure that yolu can target Blues, Stripers, Fluke, Croakers and Weakfish. All but weakfish should be fairly easy.

What folks are going to help you identify are areas where fish are known to hold - points; sloughs; sod banks; docks (especially with lights); sunken docks; piers; and the like.

Many people choose lures over bait for these applications of fishing. However, there are times when bait (and a certain bait) will work better. For example, the adult menhaden (bunker) run is starting and throwing cut bunker heads get land you a nice Striper - also, never underestimate the power of a clam after a nor-easter or near clam/mussel beds.

Well, I think that I will try to dig up some pictures and articles I wrote in the past to discuss baiting the hook with clams and how to cut a bunker (it depends on the size).

In the meantime, what rod/reel combos do you have?

I also suggest that we hook you up with a bait and tackle shop that can point you to the fish.

Please be patient as this will take a bit of time and writing to get you all the info you need.

The best start I recommend is to get some black and yellow bombers and throw them. the yellow more at dusk and the black after dark. They will produce!

The beginning of the learning,

Capt. Ed

[Hotrod]

Welcome Aboard Greg.

Trust me. You have come to the right place.

We have some great fisherman from that area..

That will love to help get you on the fish..

Grab your note book

[ped579]

Welcome Aboard Greg,

I don't get to fish there much but like Ed mentioned the time you are alloted to fish is the magic time.  Dusk and dawn are the best time to catch quality fish.  Night time is great for striped bass.

What you want to look for in the surf are brakes in the sand bars, I say bars because there are sometimes a couple just look at low tide for waves breaking over them.  What you want to look for are areas where there are no breakers this indicates a break in the bar and an ideal channel for bait and fish to gain access to the trough in front of the bar.  Bait like these areas because at some times it is a good place to hide.  Predators like blues know this and usually blitz these areas for a fast kill.  Your 7' rods should be a good start especially if you like to use plugs or metal lures.  Line weight should be no lighter than 12# test for the surf.

if you would like to use the universal surf bait try clams it works great for a number of different species.  At first keep your rig simple and have fun.  Try using either a straight 6/0 to 8/0p hook or what I like to use are the Gamakatsu circle hooks, but that is just me.

If you are using light line like 12# test start out with a 2oz pyramid sinker.  The lighter the line (or smaller diameter in braided line) the lighter the sinker you will need to hold bottom.

Use a clam knife(it has a round blunt point and will not hack up the clam) to open the clam by running the knife into the shell either top or bottom side to side in this case it makes no difference from one side to the other to slice the muscle that holds the shell closed.  You have the choice of either using the whole clam or just the tongue of the clam (big meaty section) plus you can cut this in half it is up to you some use the whole thing I like to cut it in half, personal preference...

Grab your rod and reel with fresh line on it your favorite lures (this is a whole other subject) a 5 gallon bucket to put your stuff in on the beach maybe a flat piece of board to use as a seat (over the board) and have fun.

More, I am sure, will follow from other guys on the board.  I have been surf fishing the area from Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet most of my life the key here is to listen, read, and ask a lot of questions.  You are amongst friends here so ask away don't think any question is dumb or stupid, I am sure someone else out there is wondering the same thing.

So ask away my friend...

I hope this starts you off on a good road to discovery.

Paul

[gregman1069]

Whoa! I didn't expect so much useful info so quick. I will get back to you with more on my gear in a day or two. Mine is a long story but I work in Avalon and live in PA-almost Reading. I had succuess 5yrs ago with lures but I can't seem to repeat this. Couple of funny stories, I'll share them later. I gotta get to bed, but I'll keep in touch.

[ped579]

Hi again Greg,

If you need some bait and Tackle shops go to Google Maps type in Avalon,NJ hit the businesses tab the type in bait & tackle shops and pick and choose there are a number of them plus it looks like there is a pier just to the north of you in Sea Isle City.  Might be worth checking out...

Like Hotrod said have a note book ready.

Paul

[gregman1069]

Ok here's my gear:

Daiwa Sweepfire-A 3500 14#
on a 6' Montauk MB360 rod.

Okuma Anenger AV50 15#
on a Daiwa 7' Beefstick

Silstar 7' combo 15#

All are medium action but the Silstar seems to bend with a stiff breeze.

My usual shop is The Hodge Podge in Avalon. Very friendly and helpful. Will tell you where the fish are and what they're hitting on.
 
My usual spots are under the big bridge on Avalon Blvd, 8th st jetti, or docks or banks that may be convenient. My boss has offered the use of his johnboat.

Like i said, I like to use lures, I figure with three rods I could bait two and fish a lure on another.

How do I "hook" the clam? I used a lot of buck tails when I was a kid on The Indian River Bay with my grandfather. With a peice of squid. Lots of flounder that way.

So I kinda know what I'm doing and I kinda don't. What times and what fish? Fishing at night for stripers is awesome. Had some success a few years ago that way, just can't seem to get it back.

My 9 yr old wants to go fishing and I'd like to show him right.

Again, thanks for all your help.

[ped579]

Hi Greg,

It sounds like you have it dialed in pretty good.  I would try a strip of clam on that bucktail or even a Gulp bait the tackle shop should have them.

Right now there is a hodge podge if fish around from fluke to striped bass and blued to weakfish, plus ++++, you should have a pretty good time out there especially around the bridge. 

I like to use the circle hooks with a fish finder rig (sliding sinker).  Works great and so easy to set up.

Good luck.

Paul