D-Bay this Saturday

[Feddog82]

I am planning to make a trip to the bay this saturday. It will be my first trip to the bay since fall striper. This year has been very busy and I have had way too much on my plate to get out. As it sits right now I should have time to get out for the day this weekend.

I have not yet decided where to fish out of. As I said, I do not frequent the bay so it gets tough when making a choice. Most likely I will trailer to Jersey and launch either from fortescue or somewhere south of there.

Where should I go? What depth should I fish? Any tips? Where to get bait?


? Maybe DE side?
Years ago I used to fish out of Bowers. Has anyone been fishing that area? Is there still a bait shop in that area? The only way I would head to Bowers is if my brother was coming with. He would be traveling from MD to meet me. Any info on where the fish are biting on the DE side would be great b/c I would love to take my brother out. Where can you get bait in the Bowers area these days?

Depending on the info I get I will way my options. Maybe I can get my brother to meet me at home and then head to Jersey. Who knows.

Not asking anyone to spot burn, just a helping hand for a guy who does not get out as much as he used to. If you can post some info here then great. If not please shoot me an e-mail.

feddog82@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance!

[Fishingon4-50]

Well theres a good amount of weakfish, a lot of small croakers, little brownies, and some bluefish. I like to use shedders as bait and make sure you buy a lot (about 2doz) just find a drop off and u should find some fish... Buck tails work along with flounder rigs.

[Bay Invader]

Go out of Fortescue,use Higbees ramp.Try Jenkens on the way into Fortescue for shedder crabs.If you go to Fortescue all you need to do come out of the creek and go about 1-2 miles west and find the 1st drop off anchor on the edge and commence to put a whoopin' on Croakers and Weakfish.Nj allows 1 weakfish per person,no limit on croakers.Take some croakers strip them up and catch blues 2-5lbs.The bay is loaded with fish now,you couldnt have pick a better time to take the family out for a day on the bay.If you want to fish for flounder get minnows at Higbees,strip up any croakers,blues,sea robins or bunker and head south 5-6 miles to EP area and drift for flounder look for 23-26ft of water.I hope this helps you out.Good Luck! Catch'em up Cappy!

[grtwhthunter/fisherman]

im with bay invader. you cant go wrong anchoring. see boats in area and stop n fish.personaly i only bring a handful of shedder and use the croaker and spot youll catch for bait. just strip them up. ive caught everything on the croaker n spot.even flounder anchored. now if the croakers are big enough id eat them .lol.i like the weakfish but when u just use shedder the croakers will get more than weakfish will. enjoy the day fish everywhere.

[Catspaw]

All good info above! Bring steel leaders if you get on the blues, you'll need 'em.
You can strip cut the croaker for smaller fish, or cut in 3/4" chunks for blues. Flounder will be harder to find, but plenty of everything else. Also agree with not buying a lot of bait. A few sheddars will provide plenty of croakers. Weakfish limit is one @ 13" per angler. If in a slow spot, move around. Higbee's ramp is great, plenty of water at low tide, $15 fee. Good luck!

[WETDREAM]

chicken breast cut into small pc's and soaked in shedder oil will provide lots of cheap bait. Works well.

[Feddog82]

Wetdream,
Do you cut your chicken pieces in a long thin penant shape like cutting squid? Or do you cut it differently?

[nhanzel]

I just cut mine into small chunks. If you use kosher salt on them, make them a little bigger as they will shrink but it does make them a little tougher so they stay on the hook better.