Opinions on Freshwater Shiners & Fatheads in Central Jersey

[jtjr09]

Guys, I do alot of freshwater fishing in Monmouth County, sorry I dont always have time to post about my trips.

One thing that has been bothering me is that there are so few bait shops that sell Shiners & Fatheads in the area. When I need them I usually end up out at the place in Englishtown to buy them, but that is 1/2 hour each way.

Does anyone know of any places that sell them in the Belmar area? I am a big fan of fatheads and rosy reds, but they are hard to come by.

I have been tossing around the idea of starting my own business selling shiners, fatheads and rosy reds, but I am curious if there is even a demand for them or if I am in the minority.

Let me know what you think. Just doing some fact finding here.

[AndyS]

I think killies work just as well.

[jtjr09]

I fish alot of crappies and bass and killies just dont seem to work as well in my opinion. Also they dont work for the hybrid stripers in the Manasquan Resevoir.

When it comes to pickerel they work though

[acabtp]

you can get rosy reds as feeder fish at most pet shops. they are the same species as fatheads. generally the pet shop ones are pretty small, but they work great for crappies.

[dfish28]

Have you talked to spring lake freezer? they either have or can get whatever you want- you will have to buy in more of a bulk style, there is where you can save some cash on cost- but I recommend having a holding tank set up to save the extras for the many other trips youll get out of one purchase. Or just wait till Macs,the Den,or the bait bucket start carrying them for the season, which should be soon.

[SaltyJim]

Bait and Boat carries shiners, fatheads, and reds

[AndyS]

Belmar area, not Sussex county Jim. Again, slow down, take your time, and READ the posted question.

[Jerseydix]

As a last resort for bait fishing the Squan I've gotten my Shiners/fatheads at A baitshop on rt.88 in Pt. Pleasant. or the baitshop at Lake Shenandoah. That's only if the Squans baitshop was out of em. IMO the Squans were always bigger and livelier. Priced better too.

[broken bobber]

Killies def work