New to Saltwater Fly fishing NJ

[atun_fish_on]

I have fly fished fresh water and enjoy it a lot but I am looking to go to the salt to catch some bigger harder fighting fish. (Blues, Fluke, Stripers etc). I am completely new to this so what are some good places on the Jersey shore to saltwater fly fish. Rod and Reel setups etc. Anything to get me started on would be a lot of help. I do have a kayak to use so that would probably be a plus. Any help would be great.


Thanks


Tight Lines

 

[biloutback]

we are very fortunate to have some of the best fishing in the world ...here in nj.. ny... metro area...believe it or not...on a fly rod....and having a yak will get u to spots that others can't get to.right now its summer and the best catching will be a dawn and dusk and into the night...fly casting from a yak is tough...later in late summer and the fall fishing from shore will be better during the day...how far u have to travel to the fishing areas will depend on your time on the water and frequency...fishing from a boat will definitely increase your odds...recommend hooking up with a light tackle guide that specializes in fly fishing will shorten the leatning curve...joining a salt water fly fishing club is a great way to meet new fishing buddies...and to get into a network of when and where...and checking some of the websites- and fishing forums...as far a gear goes a 9' 9 weight is the best allaround outfit with a reel that will your flyline and at least 150 yds of dacron backing...intermediate sink line , and a fast sink teeny type line rated 200 - 350 grainsyou will be dealing witth wind. waves, tides, floatsum and debris like shells n weed, so a sinking line will cast better overall....if wading you'll need a stripping basket to carry your line so it doesn't foul on the cast...you'll need corkers or cleats on your foot before venturing out on the rocks or jetties so so don't fall and hurt yourself.flies are simple clousers in olive / chartreuse and white combos on 1/0 to 3/0will get u started along with some deceivers...leaders are simple 3 part constuction...butt hinge and tippet overall lenthg 5 to 8 feet.most of all have fun and welcome to my world.

 

[atun_fish_on]

Thanks for the response and the tips. In a few weeks I am going on a friend of mines boat fishing out of the Hook. He has a fly rod and I am going to try it on his boat. See how I like it and what I can catch. I have been fly fishing for a descent amount of time but I want to get into the full aspect of the sport. Tying and fishing from fresh and salt. Thanks for the help. O and your pic is a beauty.

 

[jcstikfish]

The hook is a great option when you will not have a boat (or yak) as well. Having the entire peninsula as an option, you can always find the best fly casting /fish catching situation no matter what the winds are doing. That is a luxury you certainly do not have when you are simply fishing the beach-front as you move down the Jersey coast.

~James

 

[allen]

Yaks and fly fishing are a good combo. Is yours a sit-on-top? Navesink and Shrewbury are good spots at night and ocean side during the fall (if you have all your safety gear). Also IBSP is a great place to fish from a yak if you want to travel there.

 

[atun_fish_on]

Yes mine is a SOT but I want to get it rigged at Kayakfishingstuff.com to put rod holders on it and other stuff. I love to fish saltwater but its just the drive. I live in North Jersey and it kills me. I may just wait till Late October to November until the big boys come out.

 

[elsewhere]

I am new to fly fishing (salt and fresh) as well. I have been up at Sunken Meadow State Park in Long Island. That area is great for bluefish snappers - especially the estuary. It is also probably good for strippers at the right time and season.

It sounds like Sandy Hook is a great place to surf fish. I don't have a boat or kayak. I am wondering if anyone can comment on these areas for surf fly fishing. What I'd like to know is if you're allowed to fish there and if the conditions would be good for fly fishing.

• Breezy Point
• Jamaica Bay
• Coney Island / Brighton Beach
• Rockaway beach

Thanks!

 

[Rusty Spinner]

It is also probably good for strippers at the right time and season.

You mean at night in a club like the Bada Bing?

Sorry, couldn't resist:toilet-humor:

Some good advice here. Salt water FF is very simple compared to trout. Basic tackle and basic flies. I never understand why salty FFers give the advice to newbies to use Clousers. IMO that is not the best fly to start with until you get decent at casting a stiff rod in the wind. I would stick with Deceivers mainly and in different sizes. Any color works so long as it is chartreuse and white. The Clouser minnow has claimed more fly rods than any other fly, car door or other stupid act than anything else I am aware of. Those lead eyes smashing into your tip on an errant back cast will quickly make you familiar with your rod's warranty dept.

And please don't go out and buy a striping basket at the store for $30- $50 when you can make one in 10 minutes with a Tupperware dish, weed-whacker string and a bungee cord for about $4.

Don't forget the wire bite tippet or very heavy mono bite tippet for Mr. Bluefish (aka - razorlips).

 

[elsewhere]

DOH! I have my buddy's bachelor party on my mind heh heh

I am still wondering what the brighton beach shore and jamaica bay are like. Anybody have any info?

You mean at night in a club like the Bada Bing?

Sorry, couldn't resist:toilet-humor:

Some good advice here. Salt water FF is very simple compared to trout. Basic tackle and basic flies. I never understand why salty FFers give the advice to newbies to use Clousers. IMO that is not the best fly to start with until you get decent at casting a stiff rod in the wind. I would stick with Deceivers mainly and in different sizes. Any color works so long as it is chartreuse and white. The Clouser minnow has claimed more fly rods than any other fly, car door or other stupid act than anything else I am aware of. Those lead eyes smashing into your tip on an errant back cast will quickly make you familiar with your rod's warranty dept.

And please don't go out and buy a striping basket at the store for $30- $50 when you can make one in 10 minutes with a Tupperware dish, weed-whacker string and a bungee cord for about $4.

Don't forget the wire bite tippet or very heavy mono bite tippet for Mr. Bluefish (aka - razorlips).

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

I know you can rent a boat for the day at Smitty's in Broad Channel and putt around Jamaica Bay in a dinghy for $80. Definitely worth it if you get 2-3 people in on it and spend the day casting to blues and whatever else is in there. The whole area is supposed to fish really well, blues, stripers, false albacore and other species especially during the fall runs. I've never been S/W fishing yet but I have a 9wt that's ready to be baptized. Let me know if you want to head out there sometime.

 

[elsewhere]

Cool! I'll keep checking this forum for when the runs start and we get together and try out the bay

 

[golden beetle]

Send me a pm when this is gonna happen, guys. I'm in.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

Send me a pm when this is gonna happen, guys. I'm in.

Ok Dungbeetle, I'll give you a call in January, stripers don't start running til then. They prefer stormy weather so wait til we get a good Nor'easter blowing through. You go get the boat, and motor out to the middle of the bay. I'll swim out and meet you.

 

[atun_fish_on]

Could I get by with a Redington Crosswater 9ft 9# off jetties like the shark river inlet or other jetties for stripers or blues??? I want to get into Saltwater fly fishing but I dont know wether this setup would work. Or to go to spey for the saltwater.

Thanks

 

[golden beetle]

I have seen most of the redington combos, and suspect for the salt that the rod will be great, but the reel and line will suck big time.

Is the reel plastic or what? And, check the line. I recall trying a redington combo and, after substituting my own reel for the plastic crap they provide, being pleasantly surprised with the performance of the rod.

Peace out, mofos.

 

[atun_fish_on]

Its probably plasitc but I dont want to spend 200+ on a saltwater setup. I have a nice freshwater setup. I just want to fish the fall run off jetties for stripers and blues. And its cheaper to buy a fly fish setup then buy a quality spinning reel setup. I just need some suggestions to get going in the salt.


Thanks

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Its probably plasitc but I dont want to spend 200+ on a saltwater setup. I have a nice freshwater setup. I just want to fish the fall run off jetties for stripers and blues. And its cheaper to buy a fly fish setup then buy a quality spinning reel setup. I just need some suggestions to get going in the salt.


Thanks

You can get buy on that reel for those two species, just watch out for Albies which run along the jetties in Sept. and Oct. or you'll have a melted mess in your hands and will have frozen the drag solid and broken the fish off or have been spooled and in need of new line. But at least you'll have a cool story to tell

 

[atun_fish_on]

thanks what about this setup." REDINGTON RED.FLY 2 9094 SALT FLY ROD OUTFIT (9'0", 9WT, 4PC) " Is it worth it to buy a 250 dollar setup for the salt. I know its more of an investment but I can also use it for salmon and steelies up north right???

 

[jlajoie]

thanks what about this setup." REDINGTON RED.FLY 2 9094 SALT FLY ROD OUTFIT (9'0", 9WT, 4PC) " Is it worth it to buy a 250 dollar setup for the salt. I know its more of an investment but I can also use it for salmon and steelies up north right???

Take a look at this too: Temple Fork Outfitters NXT Outfits
For the price point, I really like the TFO rods. The reel, well with any kit setup, you will be replacing it sooner than you think. But at least you can have a good, inexpensive rod to build on and use. If you don't like it, no big monetary loss....

 

[Rusty Spinner]

You can't beat the price and the line is a weight forward one. I prefer an intermediate sink line for most of my saltwater fishing. I couldn't tell if this is a floating or sinking line. But a nine foot 9 or 10 weight will cover all of your NJ saltwater needs unless you target small blues, schoolie stripers, fluke, etc. where you could easily get away with a 7 or 8 weight.

Think wind and at least sometimes, big fish, and you'll be glad you bought at least a 9 weight.

 

[jlajoie]

Check out Cabelas or Basspro.com, and you can spec out your line. They also have different reel choices to go with the package....

 

[atun_fish_on]

I have a TFO Ticr and love it. Matched up with a konic reel you cant beat it for the price. Plus TFO's warrenty. But this setup comes with everything for the salt ready to go. The TFO rod you were suggesting is about 100 more or less and then a quality is at least 100 plus quality line, backing, leader is another 80. But I thank you for the suggestion.

I want to get into every aspect of fly fishing. Well tying this fall and saltwater fly fishing. I would never go back to spinning gear. Anyone can throw a worm or bait out to fish. The satisfaction of cathcing a fish on a fly you tied, and on a fly rod is great. :beer:

 

[rckrego]

From another noob-

Where are some good spots for fluke on the fly? I have an 8 weight I'd like to put to use out there once the bucketmouths quit biting.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

From another noob-

Where are some good spots for fluke on the fly? I have an 8 weight I'd like to put to use out there once the bucketmouths quit biting.

Fluke are where you find them in the surf with a fly rod, but you will catch mostly shorts. If you have a kayak or other boat, then fish the channels and the edges of the channels with sinking lines and small clousers or deceivers. They readily take a fly, often right in the wash in front of your feet as you finish your retrieve if you're fishing from the beach.

With legal fluke, I strictly practice C&F (catch and fry)

 

[kindanewbie77]

FYI....pretty sure fluke season closed today.....or tonight at midnight....or sometime REAL soon!!!!