346 
Forest and Stream 
FISHING ALONG THE JERSEY COAST 
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT KIND OF FISH MAY BE MET WITH IN A 
REGION EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE LARGE CITIES OF THE EAST 
By LEONARD HULIT 
A' 
or 
ever-chang- 
NTICIPATION and realization 
have long been disputed as to 
their points of merit. Could we 
at all times know that our ef- 
forts in a given direction would be uni- 
formly successful, then there would be 
room for doubt concerning the gratifica- 
tion of accomplishment, while if we 
knew that all effort was to fail then 
there would be no incentive to endeavor. 
Hence this analysis convinces us that 
hope and anticipation are the greatest 
charms to spur us on. 
So it has ever been with the angler 
who pursues his quest, no matter whether 
it be at the brookside, on lakes, or at 
the foot of the sea, there is ever the un- 
certainty of the reward and therein lies 
the great charm of angling. 
And to none are uncertainties greater 
than to the man who plies his art in the 
surf. Like all animated nature, fish re- 
sort where food is most abundant 
where easily secured. The 
ing tides and currents work continual 
changes in the points and flats along 
the coast and although unnoticeable to 
the h-uman eye they do create well- 
defined reasons why fish may be taken 
abundantly at a given point at one period 
and within a short time the same grounds 
prove barren of any satisfactory results. 
When tides and ocean 
currents are working vig- 
orously it is surprising to 
the novice how quickly 
they can scoop out great 
basins where may be laid 
bare great beds of sea 
clams and mussels, to 
which many fish are at 
once attracted, and such 
places are good points for 
the surf angler to know, as 
it is just here that success 
is usually assured him. 
T T is doubtful, when all 
things are considered, 
if there are any better 
fishing grounds than those 
along the New Jersey 
coast, excepting, of course, 
the more southern waters 
where fish life is abundant 
the year around. 
Beginning at Sandy 
Hook and extending the 
entire length of the coast 
line are ever-changing beach sloughs and 
bars, inviting many species of fish to 
good feeding grounds where water tem- 
perature is to their liking, and there is 
no better period of the year than during 
the months of August and September for 
the surf fisherman to pursue his sport. 
The striped bass is, of course, a much 
earlier visitant, but he is also here during 
the summer and autumn months and 
may be looked for whenever the sea is at 
all turbulent or churned up by cross- 
currents, and may be taken on a great 
variety of baits. Early in the season, 
particularly around inlets, blood worms 
are always good and may be relied on. 
The shedder crab and the familiar 
skimmer clam, as well as the common 
surf mullet, all hold a strong place in the 
estimation of this striped prize of the 
sea. When August comes and there is 
a tumbling sea then the metal squid takes 
the place of bait and may be relied on, 
if well directed, to produce results and, 
all through September and October the 
squid is entirely used by many anglers 
to lure this favorite fish. 
The squid or inkfish is also at times 
a good bait and many of the largest of 
bass have been taken on it. At times it 
is very plentiful and is always a cheap 
bait. 
While it may not be true that bluefish 
are growing more plentiful, still it 
seems that they are assuming their for- 
mer habit of coming close in along shore. 
The two past seasons have confirmed this 
opinion. At many points large six to 
eight-pound fish were taken in goodly 
numbers and gave the finest of fishing. 
From Manasquan Inlet south, at nearly 
all points good catches were made and 
were welcomed warmly. Manasquan, 
Point Pleasant, Lavallette, Ortley Beach, 
North Point of Beach, Barnegat City 
and many other places gave good results. 
While many were takeh on the metal 
squid still the writer .found that during 
the entire season at many points the old 
reliable menhaden, cut to suitable strips, 
played its part well.. All the above-men- 
tioned points are good for the large 
weakfish. They trade close in along 
shore and may be taken by a good caster 
and will furnish good sport, especially 
when evening has come and quiet reigns. 
At New Inlet, a point seven miles be- 
low Beach Haven, good fishing is to. be 
had most of the season and at times 
channel-bass are plentiful and these 
bronze warriors are eagerly sought for 
by all who are skilled with the rod. 
They take almost any bait, are the most 
determined fighters to be met with, and 
are at all times considered favorites. 
When they are trading well they fre- 
quently work close in shore and can be 
reached with a very moderate cast, but 
when once connected with, the best of 
tackle and steadiest of nerves are re- 
quired to land them. 
At most points kingfish have been very 
scarce during the past three or four 
years. A few have been taken but in 
nothing like the quantities taken in the 
past. One of the oldest and most per- 
sistent surf fishermen who ever plied the 
art along our coast, who was well into 
his eighties and who had spent the 
greater part of his life in the pursuit of 
coast fish, gave as his opinion that the 
kingfish were erratic and had their 
periods of abundance along the coast 
each sixth and seventh year after which 
they dropped away. This observation is 
given for what it may be worth, but it is 
true that these fish are erratic in their 
movements, being apparently very sensi- 
tive to water temperature. 
New Inlet is a strong 
tideway opening into Egg 
Harbor Bay and has a 
good depth of water, in 
places as much as thirty 
feet. While the charts 
give a greater depth, still 
it is safe to rely on the 
figure given, particularly 
along the tide-rip, which 
is very strong and should 
never be ventured into by 
other than the most ex- 
perienced boatmen. Into 
this body of water during 
the season almost all of 
our coastal fishes enter 
and may be taken freely 
from the beach ; bluefish, 
weakfish, channel - bass, 
and many other varieties 
trade there, and, as the 
water drops off rapidly 
from the beach casting is 
easy, but good, substantial 
tackle should only be used, as at any 
moment a channel-bass or shark is liable 
to be hooked and then low-grade tackle 
will be sure to prove the snare that it 
ever is. 
This inlet lies about seven miles to the 
south of Beach Haven and can only be 
reached by boat, which makes the trip 
a rather tedious one unless the stay is 
intended for several days, in which case 
a shelter tent is essential, as there are 
no public houses for entertainment near. 
