New Jersey Surf (Island Beach State Park), Ocean Co, NJ, 9/22-23/2010

Just saying.....I've caught blues when you could tie on a bottle cap. Albacore are a pushover. When they're there. Maybe bone fishing is a skill but when there are blues and stripers in front of you, you'll catch fish. Not like the long pool at the gamelands on the WB where two dozen guys are beating their brains out trying to get just one of those rising fish. I'll be at sandy hook on Sunday with realistic expectations. Wish me luck because that's mostly what it takes.
 
John, do you have a son named Greg and live in Susquehanna Co.?

I know a Greg Powers, he's a good friend of mine. But I forget his dad's name.

It's either Jim or John.
 
JohnPowers wrote:
Just saying.....I've caught blues when you could tie on a bottle cap. Albacore are a pushover. When they're there. Maybe bone fishing is a skill but when there are blues and stripers in front of you, you'll catch fish. Not like the long pool at the gamelands on the WB where two dozen guys are beating their brains out trying to get just one of those rising fish. I'll be at sandy hook on Sunday with realistic expectations. Wish me luck because that's mostly what it takes.

Good luck John. Hope Sandy Hook has fish close to the beach this weekend - here's wishing you diving birds in the wash and screaming drags (never hurts to dream, after all we're fishermen).
If you care to, let us know what you saw or how you made out. The mullet run is in full swing.
 
JohnPowers wrote:
I hate to be a downer. I live about 1 1/2 hours from Betty and Nicks. I'll be heading down yet again. Problem with the surf is this. When I fish the Monocacy, Mud Run, the WB, I may not catch fish but they are within casting distance. When you drive down to the surf many times there ARE NO FISH THERE. Think about it. People who post good numbers in the surf live on the beach in AWDs. You can show up in the lehigh Valley from July 15 to Sept 15 with some tricos and catch fish. I can show up Sunday with a Deadly **** for the spinning rod and some Clousers for the 10Wt and get skunked again. Maybe I get to watch them blitzing just beyond the breakers. Believe me most of the time your not missing much.

that's why they call it fishing, not catching.....

on a more serious note, I hear ya - but the experience of fishing on the beach is completely different than a stream... sometimes you catch, sometimes you don't ~ but in the end, a bad day fishing is still better than a good day working..
 
I think this weekend is the governors cup surf tourney at ibsp. Could be a zoo. Was last year. Maybe the Hook otvthe light.
 
Nice work - I gotta get my butt out there
 
I can show up Sunday with a Deadly **** for the spinning rod and some Clousers for the 10Wt and get skunked again. Maybe I get to watch them blitzing just beyond the breakers. Believe me most of the time your not missing much.


Instead of the spinning rod get an Alvey rod and reel, you'll send that deadly **** to england for sure. They get over the breakers and then some.
If fish are not on the beach then just go to the back side of I.B.S.P. and fish the bay, always good for a few fish. Or the back side of the inlet near the geo tubes. good place for weakies there when they are around..Thers always fluke somewhere too..
 
Guys,
Most (all) my saltwater FF'ing experience is in lower Delaware. I feel fairly comfortable in the surf with a fly rod at this point. I just have a question about location, since I'm not familiar with NJ. I do not have a 4x4 to drive on the beach. I'm perfectly fine with walking miles of beach or jetties. Is there an area you can park at and walk the beach that is relatively close to the fishing grounds? Maybe northern area of IBSP?

I live in SEPA and plan on giving NJ a try the weekend before Thanksgiving, if mother nature allows. And if she doesn't, I'll have the spinning gear along just in case.

I would appreciate any general info. that can be offered. Not looking for your secret spot, just some general knowledge of the land. If any experienced FF'ing surf casters are planning to be out and wouldn't mind a newb tagging along, I could split gas/food.

Thanks,
Matt
 
Matt,
Virtually all of IBSP is accessible to a foot bound angler. There are some bathing beaches that I think are closed to fishing in summer (I only fish it in the spring and fall). The paved road ends about 1.5 miles from the lower end of the park where the North Jetty lines Barnegat Inlet. You can park at the end in a paved parking are and walk down to the jetty. This is what I described doing further up in this thread. IBSP is a beautiful place and my favorite saltwater fishing destination in the northeast (when I can't get to Montauk 🙂 ).
 
Will be surf fishing around Atlantic City this weekend and I fully expect I will spend hours of flailing wildly about with little to show for it.

Getting up before I want to and my body is ready; walking out into the dark with the a stiff wind in my face with the hope I will catch the big one.

I fully expect to catch nothing and test my will and sanity. But if it comes it will be so sweet.

Just remember- you could be at work, holding your girls purse at the mall or raking leaves.

I am just thankful for the opportunity!

Good luck to all fly anglers.
 
Ok, that sounds outstanding. I've also yet to do Montauk. I've toyed with the idea. Usually give up when I can't get another person to share expenses.

I'll report back how I make out.
 
I am headed to IBSP this Saturday 10/30 to try my luck if anyone is in the area or would like to meet up there at some point.
 
Slightly OT, but does anyone fish the beaches in DE? After my experience catching stripers in the inlet, I'm missing the thrill of hooking into saltwater fish on the fly rod. Would be an easier trip for my to drive to DE instead of NJ and I have places to stay over down there if the day lasts too long. Plus, I could have my wife drop me off on the beach, then send her to the outlets to shop for the day.
 
Cape Henlopen state park, the beach north of Indian river inlet 100 yds. fenwick island..they are the best spots to hit..
 
GRP wrote:
Slightly OT, but does anyone fish the beaches in DE? After my experience catching stripers in the inlet, I'm missing the thrill of hooking into saltwater fish on the fly rod. Would be an easier trip for my to drive to DE instead of NJ and I have places to stay over down there if the day lasts too long. Plus, I could have my wife drop me off on the beach, then send her to the outlets to shop for the day.

Contact these guys they know all there is about the Salt in De

http://sfaod.com/
 
For walk in fishing at I.B.S.P. 2 bit road, maintenance building (trail along fence) to governor house area, and area 7, 12, 21, 23 are good.
 
Can you please post how you guys do this weekend, and pics please? I've been wanting to do it every year but I'm too busy and then there's archery season...I'd be happy if I could tag along with someone, I'd even pay for all the gas.
 
Back
Top