Barnegat Bay / Manasquan River

[ghoran]

I am new to fly fishing and new to fishing in this area.

Can you guys tell me
- What I should look for in fly fishing tackle? (on a low budget)
- What types of fish and when I can find them in the Barnegat Bay / Manasquan River area.
- What flys are good for those fish
Thanks

[Mark Cahill]

I'm not a Barnegat guy...I fish Mass, but...

Gear:
TFO 9 wt. rod
Teton Tioga Reel 9 wt.
Wulff Triangle Taper 9 wt. line (clear)
Some 15-20 lb. tapered tippets
Stripping basket
Some wire leaders for bluefish
Polarized sunglasses
A pair of needle nose pliers

Fish:
Stripers
Bluefish
Weakfish (Squeteague)
False Albacore (albies)
Bonito

Flies:
olive/white clousers
char/white clousers
large deceivers...varied colors
handful of sand eel imitators
handful of clam worm flies
few rhody chovies
couple poppers

That probably covers the basics.

You're in the right area...get a casting lesson from a competent instructor. Mark Sedotti who frequents this forum would be an excellent guy to hook up with. I also recommend you fish with a guide in your area a few times. Tell him you want to learn to fish saltwater and that you've got a boat in the area and he'll get you going. It might even be worthwhile having him on your boat. Capt. John Quigley and Capt. Jim Freda of Shorecatch Guide Service fish the area and would be a great resource! Also, buy a copy of Jim's book, Fly Fishing the Jersey Coast...

[pops]

boater dudes go to the sunken rocks just on the barnegate light inlet, and drift along the channel by the jettys... the channel is good for all, Ive taken stripers
on 9wt [get a fast action rod for fighting the wind]/ int line/ mushmouths work well, they get mugged as they near the rocks. A fast sinking line is needed for the deep water, as the tide moves along the channels, otherwise ya wont find the fish .
weakfish and stripers all along the surf side jetties....

[Mark Cahill]

There are many rods in the price range of the TFO that might suit your needs. Try some...same goes for reels. Of late, we have been talking about the TFO a lot, but it's not the only good rod at the price point, and neither is the Tioga. Find something you like and get started.

If I were to spend a little extra money, I'd get a spare spool and line, to allow me to fish different conditions better.

A guide or instructor will be a big help on your way to success.

[PhilDKreal]

Great advice from Mark.

Where do you live? I can steer you to some flyshops that will help you out as well.

I fish Barnegat bay, Sandy Hook and pretty much anywhere in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

[nyflyguy]

You are probably in one of the best areas for both salt and sweet water fishing. Used to live in Barnegat and the Shark River Hills area. Check out Red Bank Anglers for info and help. The info on rods and types of flies is good but your going to have to hook up (no pun intended) with someone or organization that knows what they are doing. LL Bean puts out some good publications (check out book stores -Borders or Walden) and do some home work.

[BuzFly]

Go to Down-nTrout on Rt88 in point accross from the ob-diner. They have all the stuff you need. I fish that area about 90% of the time by boat and by foot. If you are in the area you should joint the ASWF they meet in seaside the second tuesday of the month at 7:30. It is well worth you time. Like any club, you will learn in six months at the club what would you would learn in a few years on your own. www.aswf.org

brad buzzi

[Mark Cahill]

You can buy that as a combination from The Saltwater Edge and support Reel-Time at the same time.