Thanks

flyboy

btw -- I read your report about the "dolphins" the other day. I've got to tell you - - I think everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Maybe the liked your report or maybe they didnt, but I dont think I would have been so quick to send all that flaming email you seemed to get. I hope everyone is a little nicer to me !

A few of the general questions I have follow:

Boat Safety – I have a 14’runabout with a 40 hp Johnson and an 8hp kicker. It has seen some rough water in some big freshwater lakes in Ontario, but I have never seen the Raritan or Sandy Hook bays. I am assuming that it would handle those waters fine on most days. And I suppose there are days when it would be too rough Do you see a lot of smaller boats like that out there?

Someone was writing about having to pay 25 bucks to launch at the Atlantic Highlands Marina. Ouch! Are there other places around to launch that maybe don’t cost so much?

Would it be fair to say that my best bet for the first time over would be to try to get some of these bluefish? Or maybe Fluke? I’ll probably have a 9yr old boy with me and I wouldn’t want the trip to get too boring.

I read a lot of you guys catching bunker. I have a 6’ cast net and I’ve been out in the front yard tossing it over some empty beer cans. It’s easier said than done. But -- to find these bunker -- are they all over? Are there better places to check for them? Maybe it will become clear when I get there.

I’m sure I can figure out how to tie up some rigs, but would you have any suggestions for where to go and what to try on a first trip ?

Thanks again.

flyboy

14 ft is absolute min, and you will be well advised to launch in one of the back bay areas. There is a ramp in Woodbridge or Sewaren (between a couple of oil refineries) - not a scenic spot, but from there on a rough day you can still fish the waters near Perth Amboy. If its calm enough you can venture further out the Reach Channel or fish the flats off Keyport and the Ammo Pier. Be careful in that small boat - it can get sloppy fast when the wind kicks up, much like the Great Lakes, but worse because of the influence of strong currents results in strong chop.

Bunker fishing for striper is pretty much over in the bays, except maybe occasional nighttime fish. Even ocean fishing will slow down soon.

Plenty of blues and fluke in the bay. I love flyfishing or casting surface plugs to the blues on light tackle.

thanks again

flyboy

N.J. now has a boating/operator's license law in effect. It basically means that you have to take and pass a boating test to operate a boat. You might or might not be questioned about one if you are stopped.

The Atlantic Highlands ramp is very popular and often crowded but it too gives great access to both bays. Another option is to "rent" a boat in the Highlands. Better yet, you may want to participate in the "party boat" fishing from any of the ports that were mentioned. It might work out to be less expensive in the long run.

Access to any of the areas is easy from the Garden State Parkway, or Route 36. There are many tackle shops along Route 36 as well.

"Reel Fun" Charters (check his website) caters to small groups charters. Many of his customers are from PA. He will put you on fish but like any charter, it is more expensive than a party boat but it is more personal too.

I might suggest a trip to the shore without the boat sometime, just to get a "lay of the land". Bring a fishing rod with you......just in case! There is always beach fishing on Sandy Hook National Seashore or from the pier in Keansburg if you like.

While I'm asking newbie questions --- Anther one about bait. The one fellow mentioned that the stripers were pretty much out of the bays now, and so live lining bunker would be slow. -- but woudnt the Blues still want them ? Or do the Bunker move out, too ?

Those of you that use these other baits -- spearing, or Killies --- do you go catch them somewhere, or do you just go buy them at a bait shop ? I know that over here in the fresh water we like to use live bait that we catch in the waters we are fishing -- maybe its not so critical in the saltwater ?

Thanks again,

Roy

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