Alright, let’s talk about fishin’ in that Raritan Bay. I ain’t no fancy fisherman, mind you, just an old woman who’s been throwin’ lines in the water for longer than I care to remember. So don’t expect no fancy words or nothin’.
First off, you wanna catch them Striped Bass, right? Well, them fellas are everywhere, from Perth Amboy all the way down to Sandy Hook. If you’re fishin’ from the shore, get yourself some worms, clams, or them bunker things. Them bass, they love that stuff. Now, if you got yourself a boat, that’s a whole different story. You can drift with eels or troll with them umbrella rigs. I ain’t never used them fancy rigs myself, but I hear they work real good.
Now, I been hearin’ folks talkin’ ’bout Keyport. Seems like there’s plenty of fish bitin’ over there too. I ain’t been there myself lately, but they sayin’ the fishin’s been good. You can find all sorts of stuff, like them fluke and seabass, along with the stripers. The water there, it’s a mix of salty and fresh, and that’s what them fish like, I reckon.
- Springtime, that’s when them blackfish and ling start showin’ up. And cod too, if you’re lucky.
- Then comes April and May, and that’s when the winter flounder are bitin’. Them flounder, they ain’t much for fightin’, but they sure do taste good fried up with some butter.
- Summer, well, that’s when things really get goin’. You got your fluke, your bluefish, and of course, them stripers again. Them party boats in Sandy Hook, they’ll take you out and show you where the fish are. Just be prepared to spend a few dollars, ’cause nothin’ in life is free, you know.
Now, let’s talk about what kinda bait to use. Like I said before, worms and clams are always a good bet for stripers. But them bluefish, they like somethin’ a little more lively. You can try usin’ small fish or cut bait. And for them flounder, well, they ain’t too picky. Worms, clams, even strips of squid, they’ll bite on just about anything.
The water in Raritan Bay, it can be tricky sometimes. You gotta watch the tides and the weather. If the water’s too rough, the fish ain’t gonna bite. And if the tide’s not right, you might as well pack up and go home. But when the conditions are good, oh boy, the fishin’ can be somethin’ else.
I remember one time, I was fishin’ off the pier in Perth Amboy, and I caught a striper that was this big!
It musta weighed twenty pounds, maybe more.
I fought that fish for what seemed like forever, and when I finally got it to the shore, I was so tired I could barely stand. But it was worth it, let me tell you. That fish fed my family for a week.
Another time, I was out on a party boat with some friends, and we were fishin’ for fluke. The captain, he knew all the good spots, and we were pullin’ ’em in left and right. We had so many fish, we didn’t know what to do with ’em all. We gave some away to our neighbors, and we still had enough left to fill our freezers. That was a good day, a real good day.
So, if you’re lookin’ to do some fishin’ in Raritan Bay, just remember what I told ya. Use the right bait, watch the tides and the weather, and be patient. Fishin’ ain’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. And if you’re lucky, you might just catch yourself a whopper.
Now, I ain’t no expert, like I said, but I know a thing or two about fishin’. And Raritan Bay, well, it’s a good place to wet a line. So get out there and give it a try. You might just surprise yourself.
And one more thing, always respect the water. It can be dangerous if you’re not careful. So pay attention to what you’re doin’, and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Fishin’ is supposed to be fun, not dangerous. So be safe out there, and good luck!
Tags: [Raritan Bay, Fishing, Striped Bass, Keyport, Sandy Hook, Fluke, Blackfish, Bluefish, Fishing Report, New Jersey]
