Hello all

[gbBeginner]

Hi,

 I've just moved to NJ from the UK, and am really a complete beginner at fishing.I'm really hoping to get into it over the coming months, so just looking for resources at the moment.  My father in law was a fisherman, sadly he passed away before being able to begin teaching me. I'm hoping to continue on, have been practicing my knots the past few days, but don't really know what hooks for what, what I should be setting up and which bait to use for what.

[Luna Sea 5]

very nice to have you here.

[IrishAyes]

Gb, first off, welcome to the site. You are at the right place to learn things.

What we need to know is;
What you want to fish for.
What area you will be doing your fishing.
If you will be on land, surf or in a boat.
And what equipment you would be looking to get.

Ask any question you may have, you will get an answer in a reasonable amount of time.
Anything you want to add, please do so.

Looking forward to your posts and reports.

[OffTheHook13]

Welcome to the site GB.

If I can help in any way just ask.

 

[gbBeginner]

Thanks guys for the warm welcome.  In answer;

I don't quite know what I want to fish for right now as I'm very new, I presume most of my fishing will be done on the Point side of the Point/Manasquan inlet.  So winter flounder is what I'm aiming for right now if I'm listening and hearing people. Fishing on the boat will come in the summer time.

In terms of equipment, I have a whole variety already at my disposal, lures, rods, reels, line, hooks etc.etc. I just have to learn what's for what and where it goes.

[IrishAyes]

Gb, I am not too familiar with the Point Pleasant area as far as fishing spots go. I do know that years ago, when I was fishing that area, I found myself at the southern end of the canal fishing for winter flounder. Did decent there, if my memory is correct.

There are others on the site that do frequeant that area and they will help you with that info.

A light rod n reel outfit, pick up some rigs, clams and worms from a local bait & tackle, and speak to the people behind the counter. They are always more than willing to help out, after all, it is good for their business to put people onto fish.

Don't forget, in the area of the canal you can also pick up some decent striped bass.

[ped579]

Welcome Abroad and Aboard GB,

I am presuming that you live near that area as I live in Toms River not to far from where you want to fish.  I mostly fish the surf and for the most part they are closely related in the equipment used.

If you have at least a 7' 6" spinning rod with a compatible reel with 20 - 30# line (I would recommend braid at it is a smaller diameter and handles better).

Get yourself situated with a good Bait & Tackle shop and they will be able to outfit you with the terminal tackle you would need for the canal, inlet or boat.

Right now the inlet would be a good place to start.  using a 6/0 hook this time of year would be a great start.  Clams are also good along with sand worms or blood worms.  Again, pick the brains of your local B&T.

If I can be of further help you can PM (just click on my screen name) me and I would gladly help.

Again Welcome.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Still Running]

Welcome GB

[Hotrod]

Hi GB..  Welcome to the site. 

Please make yourself at home and ask away.  There are no stupid questions.  Our Members thrive on help those that want to learn 

Hang tight.  I know many good fisherman from that area that will be happy to help you out.

Rod

[CapBob]

GB

Welcome aboard.......ask and we shall try to help

[fishinfool]

[gbBeginner]

thanks all for the warm welcome.  I really like the layout of these forums, and from my looking around today, looks like I'll find all the information I'll need.

I think my first step is to learn more about how to rig the rods I have for the fishing I'm hoping to do. I have a 7' surf pole and a cheaper shimano (was two piece) rod.  Any good guides for learning about the terminology I'm going to need in the future?

[Hotrod]

I think the making of one is a good Idea..   Humm lets see,  who has been fishing for many years.. and now is retired and has all the time in the world to make this up.  Humm I can think of 2 guys..

1 for the surf
1 for the boat

you know who you are

[ped579]

 

GB, like I said if you need any help just PM me.  I am in Toms River and can help if you are near there.  I know you mentioned the Point Pleasant Canal are you close to there?

Paul

[Bucktail]

I presume most of my fishing will be done on the Point side of the Point/Manasquan inlet.  So winter flounder is what I'm aiming for right now if I'm listening and hearing people.

Welcome GB!

If you're looking to fish for winter flounder from the shore in that area, the best place I know is down by the old hospital off of Rt. 88 (just before the bridge on the west side).  I can't think of the name of the street, but there is a deli on Rt. 88 with a (I think) 7UP sign.  If you turn down that road you should find it pretty easily.  There is a park there with a small dock that you can fish from.  From the shore there, I would recommend a 6'6" to 7'6" rod.

For more tips try http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=4479.0

Good Luck and Welcome!

-Bob

[gbBeginner]

Thanks for that info. I've been telling my mother-in-law about me finding new resources for learning. I asked her if she knew of that spot, Bucktail, she said that last time she saw they were building apartments on that land and the dock wasn't accessible (last summer that would have been). Has this now opened again?

Is it good to continue asking questions on setup etc. in this topic to get myself associated, or should I begin posting in the main forums?

[IrishAyes]

You can continue to ask here. Just let us know what you want to set up for. Winter flounder, striped bass, or what have you. Also, let us know where you have decided to try, canal, inlet, etc.

[gbBeginner]

Right now, I think we'll be mainly going down to the inlet to fish, as that's where my mother-in-law knows people.  Are there any good guides on tying knots? How to rig the rod, which line to use etc?

So far, I've been practicing snelling a hook and tying clinch knots on 4/0 and 2/0 hooks (those are the ones I found). I'm not sure what sort of stuff I should put on, what strength line etc. I do have sinkers, line (up to 50lb test I think in the garage), hooks, lures etc. We bought some gulp last week, bloodworm and a small bucket of gulp.

I know all i've heard about is Winter Flounder season starting, so that's all I know I can fish for at the moment.

The photos on Bucktails other posting seemed really helpful, I've bookmarked that and I'll go back to it in a short while.

[IrishAyes]

Here are two sites for knots.

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php

http://www.fish4fun.com/knots.htm

[gbBeginner]

thanks for the links, they look good.

Are there specific knots for specific purposes? If I've understood it so far, different knots maintain a different percentage of the line strength, but I've been told so far, if you find a knot you like you can stick with it.