ultimate NJ multi-species angler quest

[Chrisper4694]

I'm getting a head start on my quest (land a NJ skillful angler C&R sized fish for every species in 2015) I'll be hitting RVR this saturday to try to knock out a trout species early. I came a few inches off of knocking a salmon out early with the help of njfishing.com.

I'm trying to plan ahead as far as seasonal fishing is concerned: for example i know i need to get a 24" shad in the spring during the run or the quest is over early! I've also heard carp can be caught in much greater numbers in the spring. I'm trying to get some opinions on what species to target early in the season to give myself the best shot at this quest.

Any species i can knock out before spring i'd consider a bonus and a good start! I've heard pike readily bite through the ice but i've never had much luck with them outside of spring and summer and i've only caught them up to 33" (need a 34" for the skillful angler mark).

Any seasonal species targeting advice would be greatly appreciated. I know this is going to be a tough thing to accomplish and flat out impossible without help! Keep in mind I'm only interested in lengths of the fish for c&r not the weights, so full bellies or not don't matter to me.

I know a lot of guys probably think i'm nuts for even attempting this but i really think it's doable...even if just slightly...with a lot of luck haha. Maybe i can knock off a few species early in the season and get some confidence from the naysayers and for myself!

[Lard Almighty]

I don't think it's going to be so much a matter of when you fish, but where you fish. A big fish of any species can bite any time of the year, but you have to fish where the big ones are. I know you could realistically knock off almost half the species on the list in the Delaware. Just do a little research on seasonal runs and spawning patterns, and you will put yourself in good shape. From personal experience, I know that a lot of big fish tend to be caught early and late in the season. Start getting serious in early March and fish hard through May. Summer is usually slower for big fish, but they can definitely still be caught (especially at night). Things should pick up again after the water starts to cool in fall, so October through ice-up should be your next prime time.

You can do it! Stay after it and don't give up! Tight lines, and good luck!

[Chrisper4694]

There are certain species that I know with near 100% confidence I can knock off in the tougher summer months: crappie, bass, Muskie, pike. On the other hand all trout species, salmon and walleye are going to be tough for me and I think they'll need to be knocked off early or late in the year like you said.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar at all with the vast multi-species heaven that is the big D! I may just stick to the places I know, targeting one specific species at a time most of the time.

[briansnat]

Hit Merrill Creek in April and you might be able cross lakers, browns and rainbows off your list.

[Chrisper4694]

I hear you buddy! I'm hitting there and rvr as of tomorrow taking advantage of the open cold water!

[briansnat]

The whole quest sounds more like work than fun to me, but if you have fun doing it, then who am I to judge. Go for it and you will certainly have my congratulations if you accomplish it.

[Chrisper4694]

Well I'm not going to kill myself doing this but I fish for every species so I figure why not go for it. I saltwater fish a lot too so I won't be putting a true full seasons effort in with all my fishing time. It won't be more work than fun trust me.