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TIME AND TIDE FOR SURF-FISHING 
A HANDY REFERENCE TABLE FOR THE SALT WATER ANGLER WHO WOULD 
TAKE THE MORE IMPORTANT FISHES ALONG THE NEW JERSEY COAST 
By LEONARD HULIT, Associate Editor of Forest and Stream 
I N considering a table or schedule for 
salt water fishing it is well to bear in 
mind that no matter how carefully it 
may be compiled there is frequently 
much divergence in fishing conditions 
under given dates. 
While warm currents and favorable 
winds may prevail one year and angling 
conditions be ideal, a succeeding season 
may produce conditions so entirely dif- 
ferent at a corresponding period that 
the unthoughtful may characterize the 
author as careless or without knowledge 
of his subject. The best, therefore, that 
may be done is to generalize and com- 
pile a schedule based on a general aver- 
age of many years of observation. 
Anomalous as it may appear, a south 
current, that is, a current flowing from 
south to north along the middle Atlantic 
states from the Virginia capes north- 
ward, invariably produces extremely low 
temperature in the water; usually so low 
that few if any of our coast-line fishes 
will remain in it. And while such cur- 
rents remain the fisherman could better 
devote his time to other pursuits. Of 
course it is generally known that fish 
are cold-blooded creatures and would not 
at first thought be regarded as particu- 
larly sensitive to such conditions, still it 
is a well recognized fact that all varie- 
ties delight in trading in the warmer 
waters and are only to be taken freely 
when such conditions prevail. 
Even the hardy striped bass will not 
remain in the icy currents and disappear 
promptly when they set in. However, 
after several days of adverse conditions 
a northern current strikes in which is 
usually induced by a blow from the north- 
east and the waters again become warm 
and good fishing may confidently be 
looked for promptly. Neither is it cer- 
tain that what proves a most killing bait 
at one tide will be as successful on the 
next. It is always advisable when pos- 
sible to have two or more varieties of 
bait at hand so that when one does not 
seem to be desired another may work 
wonders. 
The information given here is meant 
to govern surf-fishing and it should be 
remembered that dark, cloudy days are 
more favorable during all stages of the 
tide. In order that a better understand- 
ing may be had, various names are given 
to each subject as they prevail in differ- 
ent localities: 
STRIPED BASS 
Greenhead. Rockfish, Squidhound. Sea- 
son — June 1st to November 15th. Habi- 
The surf-fisherman 
tat — all coast waters particularly near 
inlets. Tide — last of ebb and on to full 
flood. Time — very early morning and 
from evening on to midnight. Bait — 
early in the season bloodworm, later, 
shedder-crab, skimmer clam, menhaden. 
In the autumn, mullet and the metal 
squid trolled rapidly over the feeding 
grounds are very successful. The squid 
or ink-fish is at times an attractive bait. 
Out where the big fellows lurk 
CHANNEL BASS 
Red fish — misnomer, Red Drum. Sea- 
son — June 15th to Oct. 1st. Not abun- 
dant north of Barnegat Inlet. Habitat 
— all deep cuts along beach. Tide — all 
of ebb and early flood. Time — any hour 
day or night. Bait — menhaden, shedder- 
crabs, clams and the squid or ink-fish. 
BLUEFISH 
Has but one general name and is eas- 
ily identified. Season — June 20th to 
Nov. 1st. Tide— is but little affected by 
tides, a most pronounced rover and is 
liable to appear at any stage in pursuit 
of its prey. Bait — mullet, menhaden 
and different kinds of cut-up fish. The 
metal squid cast out and reeled in rap- 
idly is the most successful lure. 
WEAKFISH 
Squeteague, Squit. Season — June 1st 
to Nov. 1st. Tide — half ebb to half flood. 
Time — early evening and all night. 
Habitat — all deep cuts along beach, cast- 
ing well out. Bait — shedder-crabs, mul- 
let and squid. 
KINGFISH 
Barb, Sea-mink, Black mullet, Surf 
whiting. Season— June 1st to Oct 1st. 
Habitat — around edges of deep cuts and 
sand bars. Tide — last of ebb and early 
flood. Bait — bloodworms, shedder-crabs 
and sand worms. Time — evening. 
CROAKER 
Exclusive name. Season — July 1st to 
Oct. 15th. Tide — ebb. Time — night al- 
most entirely; rarely bites well during 
bright sunlight. Bait — shedder-crabs, 
squid and bits of fish. Habitat — sand 
flats and shallow places. 
PLAICE 
Splaice, Fluke, Brail, Summer floun- 
der. Season — May 15th to Nov. 1st. 
Tide — flood to half ebb. Bait — crab, 
mullet, sand-eels and minnows. Time — 
daylight exclusively. Habitat — deep 
cuts along beach. 
NEW ENGLAND WHITING 
Winter-weakfish, Frostfish. Time — 
night exclusively. Tide — not affected by 
tides. Season — November 1st to May 1st. 
Bait — spearing and sand-eels as well as 
bits of fish. Usually taken from piers 
and like structures on the beach. Can 
also be taken on small metal squids. 
T HE above comprises a list of fish 
which the angler may hope to take 
from the beach by casting in the 
surf. Of course some others may be 
taken but it is so rare that it is not con- 
sidered of moment to place the matter 
here. This being as a ready reference. 
