Taking 10 ur old for trout this weekend

[John D.]

So my son(10) wants to go trout fishing this weekend. He loves fluke fishing and has been at the rail non stop since he was 6 yrs old. I am so many years removed from trout fishing and live in Monmouth county. On sat will take him to Holmdel park as it’s “easy” Re shoreline access. On Sunday he wants to try somewhere different where there is shoreline access as he doesn’t have waders and wants to try somewhere different. Any and all suggestions welcome and feel free to PM if needed. We are not freshwater fisherman and just want a cool experience for my son.

Thanks

John

[Joeblowv1]

Have you tried the D&R Canal? If you know of any "stocking points" (they do sorta tell you where they dump them on the official NJ page somewhere I believe) they can be found near them.

I got back into fishing a few years ago, and honestly love the D&R canal, fun to catch small bass, panfish, and trout, and the nice thing is for the majority of the length of it you can cast all the way across so you never feel like the fish are "just out of reach" (i.e. fall stocking I went to colonial lake and only nabbed one trout, but I could see them rising/jumping 30-40 yards or so out in the middle of the lake in the deeper water)

I've hit little pockets too where you'll catch 2-4 trout in pretty quick order, so although it can be slow, it can be fastpasted too. Old coworker told me one time he went on the canal on the PA side in the Yardley area on opening day and limited out in 30 minutes and went home after a few hours cause he got bored of catching.

[AndyS]

Rivers are going to be high and fast this weekend. I found some of the best trout fishing to be in mid May with the nice weather and the crowds are gone. Stocking continues throughout the month so no shortage of fish. If you really want trout water you may have to take the 1 hour drive North. The Raritan river gets loads of trout and has pretty easy bank access near the town of Raritan. If you slip in the water in May when the temps are around 70* its a big difference to slipping in early April with the cool air and water temps.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Spring lake is a good bet. They put some really nice fish in that place too. Orange, yellow and fluorescent Power bait is great for baiting and waiting. Throw some small Rooster tails while the bait soaks. White, Bumble Bee colors always work for me. Sometimes they’ll want a mealworm under a float. It all depends on there mood. Hoping you and the little dude find the feeding fish. Good luck and let us know how you do. :D

[John D.]

Thanks for the replies. Never fished spring lake. How much bigger is it than Holmdel Park pond? Just want to estimate the size of it. Thanks

[DanH]

Spring Lake is quite a bit bigger than Holmdel but S L also gets hammered . There is a lot of trout put in there however . If your not looking for a wilderness feel Roosevelt Park Pond in Edison might be an option . With the rivers going to be high ANY stocked lake or pond is going to be crowded . Maybe just get up early check some places out , have breakfast and plan for when things calm down. Good luck and have fun !

[fishermanv]

Thanks for the replies. Never fished spring lake. How much bigger is it than Holmdel Park pond? Just want to estimate the size of it. Thanks

Its bigger but there is access galore - much more than holmdel park. Trout are caught all over, but get there early to stake out a spot. It gets quite crowded on opening day but you will in most likelihood catch a few. In addition there's white and yellow perch and largemouth in there.

[Billfish715]

Click on this link to the NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife. These are some places to consider. While it is not a complete listing of stocked waters, it is a start. Mac's Pond in Manasquan is stocked for preseason. It is small and usually is youngster friendly. It's only a short drive from Spring Lake. Spring Lake on opening day is also a kids' friendly event (if you can persuade some of the adults to move over). There is usually a kids' tournament sponsored by one of the local fishing clubs.

As for bait, the most productive baits have been Power Bait combined with a meal worm. That bait, rigged above a small sinker/split shot works well as long as the bait is allowed to float slightly up off the bottom. Adjust your rig to allow the bait to float a bit.


https://nj.gov/dep/fgw/accesscnty.htm#Monmouth

[Billfish715]

Here's a flier for the contest.

https://sharkriversurfanglers.com/media/trout%20poster.JPG

[Billfish715]

Here's another one. You decide if it's going to be Holmdel or somewhere else. Have fun and be sure to let your son do the reeling in.

https://www.thefisherman.com/article/kick-off-the-jersey-shore-trout-opener-at-spring-lake/

[John D.]

Thank you all for the replies. I am leaning towards Holmdel Park for opening day as it’s familiar, close, and seems like Spring Lake will be a zoo on Saturday.

I am thinking of going to Spring Lake on Sunday. Hopefully will be a bit less crazy and my son will like the change of venue. One question I have is can you show up at anytime at spring lake? Holmdel park opens at a set time, I think it’s 7 or 8am. Can we just get to Spring Lake at 6am on Sunday? My son loves fishing and wakes up on his own at 4:30am when we do our fluke charters. Lol

Thanks

[Billfish715]

This is where I would take my 10 years old on opening day. The majority of the lake is closed off to adults during the tournament. The trout have been stocked and are swimming around and dispersing throughout the lake. No adults many fish in the kids' zone until after the tournament is over........around 1:30 or so. There are prizes for just weighing in a fish. There are refreshments and lots of stories being shared by the "old salts" from the club. This is the place to be if you have a young fisherman who wants to have good time. Just remember.........you can assist but not "fish." Case closed.


http://sharkriversurfanglers.com/contest%20kids%20area.html

[IrishAngler]

Spring Lake has access 24/7. It's literally in the middle of the neighborhood by St. Catherine's Church.

Best of luck to your son!

[John D.]

Now I am curious to try Soring Lake on Saturday lol. If access is 24/7, unlike Holmdel Park, what time should we get there for opening day to set up?

Also, can anyone provide an address of the place?

Thanks. My son is excited to try it now after showing him the replies. I’m not thrilled Re the crowds but it’s about him and not me.

Thanks

[Billfish715]

Go to Google Maps and enter DivinePark Spring Lake N.J. You can also enter St. Catharine’s Church Spring Lake. If you can find Belmar Marine Basin, you can find Spring Lake. Time? No later than 7:00 would be my choice. Build in time for parking, rigging, and staking out a spot. Leaving the Holmdel area by 6:00 should be fine. Bring a folding chair and a stake for a rod rest. Parking is along the road that circles the lake. Let us know how your son did.

[John D.]

Billfisher

Thanks. Does my son have to register at a desk/table before the contest starts?

[John D.]

My son and I got a spot at 6:30am on the east side of the lake. I was really impressed how well this event is run and family oriented. I saw so many kids reeling up 3-7# trout. And for the most part, it was something for kids, not pathetic adults trying to steal a kids event.

Kudos to the organizers. I was really impressed and thanks again to those on this thread for their replies.

As to how my 10 year old son matthew did? He got 2 rainbows and a Brookie all 10”. He was angry seeing all the trophy trout coming up. In other words, it was awesome.

Thank you.

[cruiser1234]

Plenty of pathetic adults it’s sad. Even one clown in a kayak alone. One guy took our spot and lied about having grandkids LOL. And one adult alone even had the bait cup they were handing out for free. People are repulsive

[John D.]

Plenty of pathetic adults it’s sad. Even one clown in a kayak alone. One guy took our spot and lied about having grandkids LOL. And one adult alone even had the bait cup they were handing out for free. People are repulsive

There will always be those people in life. I did not see them today and was thankful for that. I did see the kayak guy, and another one launched near my using a 9’ surf rod. I don’t know if Tim S views this forum, but awhile back when he launched this site he would have told me “deploy bank sinkers”. I know he wouldn’t have wanted that today.

Tim S if that’s still your club that runs this, what a great and important job they do. I was impressed. Thank you.

[DanH]

Glad you had a good day, those memories will last forever!