What to Expect

[paflyfisher]

Hi there,

I am a long-time fly fisher who is relatively new to fishing the surf. I just started late last fall and fished the NJ beaches from Sandy Hook to Seaside Park.

My question is this - What can I expect in terms of fly fishing the Jersey shore from the beaches come Spring. Some folks I know say Spring is the time for bait and fly fishing won't pick up again until Fall. Is this true?

Just wondering if I have anything to look forward to along the shore come Spring or whether I should focus my attention back on the trout streams here in Pa. :confused:

Thanks.

[Tuna]

I have done little fly fishing from shore in NJ in the spring (even though I live there I drag me self out to East End of LI for most of my fishing), but I've caught fish (Island Beach State Park). Everything is relative (fall is my favorite season for easy to catch fish on the fly), but I wouldn't pass on spring fly fishing 'cause the chances are good enough and I love to fly fish.

I find the early spring run (which tends to happen way later out east LI than in NJ) to be filled with fish that will hit anything.

To me, the challenging part of the season is mid summer, but I fly fish through that too.

(Please, spring, come soon.)

[AndyF]

Peter: congratulations on your new status!

[PhilDKreal]

Hi there,

I am a long-time fly fisher who is relatively new to fishing the surf. I just started late last fall and fished the NJ beaches from Sandy Hook to Seaside Park.

My question is this - What can I expect in terms of fly fishing the Jersey shore from the beaches come Spring. Some folks I know say Spring is the time for bait and fly fishing won't pick up again until Fall. Is this true?

Just wondering if I have anything to look forward to along the shore come Spring or whether I should focus my attention back on the trout streams here in Pa. :confused:

Thanks.
Just like trout fishing, early on the bait guys do better.

But come May, the fly can be very productive. Late May and June can be awesome. :brow

[pops]

I flied the surf last year , if you check out...

http://www.aswf.org/tipstricks/jim_freda/raritan_shook/

...you will discover as I did, amazing flyfishing. I started with a 9wt outfit.
I caught blues , weakfish , stripers , sea robins ? , fluke,
surf side and bay. In the spring the flyfishing is hot.
summer, forget it, mosquitos.So hit the beach with bait.
Fall wow , when you flyfish a blitz of blues and stripers its party time.I cant wait for fall!! I used more surface poppers to stay over the bait masses and had a great time you might want to check out a 10 wt to throw bigger flies and cast into a breeze. Int lines 90% of the time , sinking and floaters as you like.Get a basket to wade with orvis or llbean [$20!] for line control.
is it march yet?

:-%

[paflyfisher]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Pops,

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the article. I appreciate it. First time I ever fly fished (or fished in any way) the surf was this past Fall. I went to Sandy Hook with a friend and we hit a blitz and a half. It was awesome and I was hooked. I guess I should add that I've had my share of skunkings since then but I remain undetered.

I have all the gear I need, I just wasn't getting a clear picture of what the Spring might bring.

[jim1205]

Flyfishing is really good in Jamaica Bay in the spring, although mostly with sinking lines.I fish from my boat so I couldn't really say how it is from shore. I don't know if your in a position to hire a guide, but there are a few good ones in the NY bight. They know where the fish are at any given time.