Garden State Trout

Shad fishing was dead this morning with water temps back in the 40s but picked up again this afternoon as the sun warmed up the water. We got into a pod of fat DC hickories!

April is when the white perch come up brackish streams in south Jersey , including the Toms River My brother used to go some place called the Forge pond (it is connected to the Metedoconk) this time of year I believe for a massive white perch run. He once caught an 18 inch searun brook trout there w...

The air and temperatures plummeted here in DC and I imagine in NJ too-we even had snow showers overnight-an 85 degree day would have been just as likely...record cold temps tonight in the 20s. River didnt spike as much as expected so I will try for shad this weekend again down here, but am not feeli...

3 flies in trees, lost 1 fish, broke the rod tip by being an ass.... overall a success. Thanks for the tips!! Now I need a drop shot rig set up, met a great guy who helped explain his use of it. New rod tip is on the way from Echo already! No quit in this guy. Keep at it! There will certainly be so...

Looks great for sub surface activity (where trout do vast majority of their feeding). In the beginning, dont try to make super long casts, especially with heavier buggers and nymphs-find a good looking spot and fish the near water thoroughly to a get a feeling for it-with those weighted flies, espec...

You should be able to find small 1.5 -2inch castmaster spoons or a similar brand anywhere. When fished a spoon and jig or dart tandem by leaving a 12-18 inch tag line when you tie the heavier lure will increase your chances or catching fish significantly.

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Maybe highway sports on 31 has shad darts?

I ordered both shad darts and shad spoons from Dicks sporting goods-check your local tackle shop and if you dont find them order from Dicks. If you can’t find them small cast master spoons in combo with 1/16 oz chartreuse grub jigs also will get you fish. The key is being able to cast far, sink, and...

They are here!!! Did a quick recon mission today in DC. I wasn’t expecting anything but got six shad in about 90 minutes. It’s not the peak yet but good to know they are here and white perch will be following them to eat their eggs. Many Osprey and Merganser were arriving too-so cool to watch an Osp...

Tom, this is your year! I had assumed you needed a boat to make it happen and have caught them off Lambertville from a boat like 10 years ago, but when they are running thick and you have a good spot picked out, you don't need a boat. I used a medium action rod and 8lb test last year but I actually ...

I am going to start surveying spots this weekend in DC on the Potomac and in the Tidal Basin for white perch, Stripers, and Shad. As of last week, there were reports of some starting to enter the area but you have to put the time in and have the weather/flows cooperate to really hone in. Basically a...

Lots of interesting information and thoughts on this thread! It's a beautiful stream with wonderful trout from all three species. While we all know and appreciate that, other people who are not into fishing see it as the perfect place for a bbq party with friends and family. While I obviously dont ...

"Sometime after Yellowstone was founded some dude tried to hunt and kill the remaining bison and people built all kinds of hotels and started trashing the place and there wasnt even budget to patrol/protect the place." Have you been there lately? Some things never change, although most is understan...

Lots of interesting information and thoughts on this thread! It's a beautiful stream with wonderful trout from all three species. While we all know and appreciate that, other people who are not into fishing see it as the perfect place for a bbq party with friends and family. While I obviously dont a...

Its been super cold down here/VA lately and I imagine water temps as of today are still in the 30s in the mountains. Luckily there is going to be a big warm up starting tomorrow so water temps could bump up to 40s and maybe beyond. Not sure where in VA you will be-Check out the Rapidan in river if y...

Its right around the corner. I ordered/received a bunch of shad darts and shad spoons in February just to be sure that I had them in time of this year's shad run-last year a lot of these items were back-ordered in April as everyone was scrambling to buy them all at once. I found fishing a 1/16 oz sh...

and mosquitos!

I love winter and skiing but I too am looking forward to spring after all the snow and ice storms down in DC. I have never seen ice like I did this year in DC-I was living in Montreal during the ice storm of 98 and DC may have been worse this year as there were so many consecutive snow and ice storm...

Looks like the dinner plate sized sunfish, jumbo perch, and monster pickerel finally cooperated! How thick is the ice now? As you predicted, has the insulating snow slowed down the thickening of the ice? The other side of that coin is that even as it gets warmer, the snow will slow down melting, rig...

I haven't gotten on the ice since about New Years day 2011, but it is definitely a lot of fun. I fish it like I fish for trout or smallies, i.e. actively as opposed to just sitting around and waiting. I used to drill a dozen plus jigging holes in a tight grid in likely areas like drop offs/where the...