Stripers?

[Crackerjack]

Anyone been hitting the beaches or anything with any success since Sandy hit?

 

[iflifish]

I haven't been out since Sandy but from what I have been hearing, there are some fish to be had. It seems most are being taken on bait though since the water is still murky. Access is another problem. Some beaches are accessible and many others are still understandably closed. I'm going to wait it out a while longer and hopefully get out there after Thanksgiving sometime.

 

[jcstikfish]

Although there are plenty of other places to target stripers in NJ on the fly. Here is what I know about a favorite spot for many of us...the Hook.

Sandy Hook is in rough, rough shape. The entire Gateway National Park is closed until further notice. I have talked to some folks closer to park management and they have heard that the park(s) may be aiming for a re-open date of Memorial Day 2013. Perhaps sections will be opened earlier if they are safe and ready for visitors.

Gateways facebook page has probably the most up to date info.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gateway-National-Recreation-Area/172526666126896?sk=wall

Last December was such a good month/year for bass from the beach on the fly. This year is going to be a matter of just finding beach access, and the hook is definitely not an option.


~James

 

[Crackerjack]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm in Staten Island and going through the same. Gateway is closed up the beaches are closed as well in most spots as most of the parking areas are closed up or food/donation areas are set up in them. I found one of my best spots is accessible however I'm hearing from some people that the water may be contaminated. Pollution and sewer water etc. idk how true that can be or if that would push the fish out of here or not. Any thoughts on that? I went down there and saw no bait anywhere or signs of fish. I only got to use my new rod a couple times and am trying to get into the salt water fly fishing scene so I'm hoping to get out to some productive areas soon.

 

[Crackerjack]

Saw a couple guys out there today as I was driving over the Verrazano bridge. Idk if that's a good sign or not but I think I'll take advantage of the day off thanksgiving and go give it a shot.

 

[Crackerjack]

Going out there tomorrow to see if any things swimming around. I'll hopefully hook into something.

 

[Crackerjack]

Went out. Got kicked off the beach by federal police. Went to another spot and the park rangers kicked me out. They say its unsafe at the beach as there could be dangerous debris under the sand. Weird explanation but who am I to argue the point. Not expected to be reopened til spring or summer. I was lucky enough to make it about an hour at each place so it was cool. No fish but nice day to be castin.

 

[Walter H]

Why don't you hop on the train and try the conneticut side and NOT NJ? You might have better luck around further up the coast beyond Norwalk.

 

[Crackerjack]

Sounds like something I would def want to try. Where would I get off the train to be within walking distance of a decent area to fish?

 

[iflifish]

Finally made it out to the surf today for the first time since Sandy. Fished from about 130-5pm and got 5 short bass and missed another 3 or 4, on chartreuse and white Clousers, and chartreuse and yellow Deceivers. Saw a few other fish caught in the area, one almost keeper sized (on clams). Water clarity was good, didn't see any bait in the water but there were some loons diving in the area I was fishing.

 

[Crackerjack]

Where were u NJ?

 

[iflifish]

Yeah. That might be an option for you too - take the train down this way, there are a number of stations along the shore that are within walking distance, or a short cab ride at most, to the beach.

 

[skipper3245]

LBI fished well yesterday. Hit just about anything. 1 keeper