No Sissies at Sandy Hook

As usual, the best fishing is at night, in fall and way out at the end New Jersey's northernmost sandspit that sticks three miles out into Sandy Hook Bay below Raritan Bay. So skip the TV, park at Fort Hancock, get your free night fishing pass, shoulder your surf stick and slog on out. Don't forget live eels, the biggest plugs you own, a floatation vest and a buddy who swims well. A compass or GPS seems comforting if you have to slosh back after dark in a fog. Then too, make sure not to go in over crotch depth as the wakes of passing freighters heading into Raritan Bay tend to overtop waders.

Now that you know that the spit tip is not for sissies, it's time for sand slogging and judicious wading out to some of the biggest stripers on the East Coast as many believe you get both Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay stripers here in the fall. Add some dandy weakfish and blues from "choppers" on up and you know why the area collects serious anglers.

Fortunately, fishing starts just a hundred yards or so from the parking lot with more, and larger, fish as you move out to the sand spit tip.

Standard techniques work. Live or rigged eels take good fish in the rips. Lures and flies produce and, if there are blues about, six to twelve inch long light wire leaders seem in order.

As always water movement maximizes results. So look for nights, or overcast days with big tide changes. If possible school up with four or five other anglers - most groups now use cell phones or radios to keep everyone informed about the action. A mix of bait and lure fishers seems ideal.

Baits can include spearling, mud worms and strips of squid, but live or rigged eels some the choice. Lures run to big minnow plugs, broomstick-type surface poppers and, for maximum casting distance, large Hopkins™, Mickey Mouse or other symmetrical spoons with single hooks.

Fly fishers aren't left out either. Some 2/0 white and blue Clousers on 15 pound test leaders and a nine weight or heavier fly rig are all that's needed. If the water's moderately calm poppers such as Bob's Bangers can produce nice surface strikes and suggest floating lines. Otherwise, use an intermediate sinking line. Note that some use stripping baskets for increased range.

TIP: As soon as Monday night football starts, Monday nights are least crowded.

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