Help on Sandy Hook Fishing

[beav13]

I'm planning a trip there this week. ive never been there. ill be throwing clams as well as some plugs and metals. just have some questions im hoping someone could help me out with since its a 3.5 hr drive and id like to have half a clue when i get there...

what beaches are open for fishing now? ive read some of them are closed sometimes.

where do i park? i saw on the map that there are quite a few parking lots, but is that where fishermen park?

could someone please direct me to a local bait shop or two?

are there any rules/regulations i should be aware of beyond the norm?

do i need to bring corkers, or can i catch fish standing on the sand?

don't need any specific spots, but is there an area that would be better to check than others? like north end rather than south end...?

might try fishing at night for the first time. any information on this would be wonderful.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[TRSteve71]

Call me a newbie, but what is SH?? just curious, maybe I can help.

[beav13]

sandy hook

[Hotrod]

   It took me a minute..  so I changed the title.

I think you'll get some good info here.. just hang tight..

And Welcome aboard

[Hunter 2]

I fish from a boat but I have seen many surf anglers fishing from the northern end of the hook on the ocean side. You can cast out and reach water over 30' deep in a channel called the false hook channel. Check out the on line chart viewer on this sights homepage and you will see it. Parking rules and regs should be available on the parks websight. Twin lights Marina has a bait shop 732-872-7200,52 Shrewsbury Ave.,Highlands, NJ 07732,,  Another is GIGLIOS BAIT AND TACKLE 732-383-5375,, 1123 East Ocean Ave, Sea Bright N.J 07760,     I have seen anglers with waders in the water and others just stay on the beach.  Hope this helps

[rugman]

Look up Gateway Natinal Recreation Area in SH .Great pl to fish and there are plenty of bait shops on the way down RT 36 .It is off the GPS Ex 117.

[Luna Sea 5]

go to the end of sandy hook and park at Gunnison Beach.  This is the beach that is directly across from the clam beds past the breakers.  This is a good place to starts as the boats in that area usually produce well.

[Pfishingruven]

I don't have too much info on SH Fishing.  I only use the bike path there.  I do know that if you fish at night, you need to purchase a Night Fishing Permit which is $50.  I also know that the Park is MOBBED in the summer and isn't worth trying to get into until after 3 or 4 PM at best!  There is a good amount of Raritan Bay to fish too from the Bay side of the park.

Good Luck!

 

[PeggyLee]

Try the dawn and/or  dusk tour first to familarize yourself with the waters and suroundings.I fish the area beach and boat.
8 to 9 ft rod with pyramid sinkers 3-to 6oz should hold your bait.Any thing heavier needed:packup and go home.
Try some clams or fresh bunker
Try some small plugs and metals.Poppers,Swimmer
I take along waders and wade hip high with a safety belt.
Enjoy and Good Luck, AJ.

[beav13]

this is all great help!  thanks much! 

not sure im ready for wading quite yet.  id like to get a feel for the place before i start trying something new.  will this make a difference in what part i should fish? 

[Hotrod]

Make sure we get a report

[Luna Sea 5]

this is all great help!  thanks much! 

not sure im ready for wading quite yet.  id like to get a feel for the place before i start trying something new.  will this make a difference in what part i should fish? 

if you wade at the tip of the hook, you will wind up sinking in 60'.. wading isn't necessary if you have a good cast