Pequest River Question

[Capspath83]

Hey everyone,

Just so I know before I go, I went to my LTS yesterday and was advised that the Pequest is Fly Fishing only. I have tried to confirm this by looking at NJDEP sites and googling it, and all I could find is sites about fly fishing the river, nothing about using spinner rods at all. I just want to confirm that spinner fisherman have a right to the river as well, as long as I am using trout magnets and inline spinners with no scent I will be fine.

I was advised by someone on here in separate post that I should be aware of the fly fisherman in this river since they don't like spinner fisherman.

Also, would it be best for me to find an access point above the hatchery? i read its less crowded up there towards Belvidere (Orchard Street Bridge) and the fish are more bountiful.

Also, what are the regulations for the Belvidere stretch. I know by the Hatchery, its 1 fish 15+". Is Belvidere 4 fish at 9" and i can use any bait to catch them or the same 1 at 15+"?

Sorry for all of the stupid questions, I am just trying to get more acquainted with fresh water fishing as I am a total beginner.

Thanks for your help!!

[Wilson]

TCA area by the Hatchery is artificial's only.

Fly fishermen (not all) can be a little uppity in the TCA area.
I have had some tell me to leave and take my spinning rod with me.


Belvidere is ok for bait and the limit is 4 at 9" if you find that many!

[Capspath83]

TCA area by the Hatchery is artificial's only.

Fly fishermen (not all) can be a little uppity in the TCA area.
I have had some tell me to leave and take my spinning rod with me.


Belvidere is ok for bait and the limit is 4 at 9" if you find that many!

Great to know! Thanks Wilson. I figured as much. Thanks for confirming. I will try my luck in Belvidere and move my way towards the hatchery.

By the way, I must say, this site is great! I appreciate everyones feedback on all of my questions and I know I will be a frequent user.

[Ash]

TCA area by the Hatchery is artificial's only.

I have had some tell me to leave and take my spinning rod with me.



Seriously? I'd probably respond with an extended middle finger and a slew of profanity.

[Lard Almighty]

Seriously? I'd probably respond with an extended middle finger and a slew of profanity.Wilson seems to be one of the few calm-headed souls who doesn't get his knickers in a twist over stocked trout.

[Wilson]

Wilson seems to be one of the few calm-headed souls who doesn't get his knickers in a twist over stocked trout.
Wilson is the guy that hooks fish 3 feet away from the fly guy standing up to his chest in the best hole in the river;) :eek:

[SaltLife1980]

Ive had a few fights that almost came to blows with the fly fishermen there.

[devildogski]

came across several of these people too I laugh than when I do leave I make sure I walk down the middle of the river through all the good deep holes

[FASTEDDIE29]

I haven't fished the Pequest TCA and others in years! I've walked them all and find the fish else where. Especially in the colder months! I actually walked so far on the Pequest 16 years ago that I had to try and hitch hike to get a ride back to where I was parked! That river has some beautiful fish up and down! Hope you find em! I never got the ride I was looking for, lol! Pretty sure I slept in my Explorer that night!

[Delawareriver]

Yep have fished the tca several times. Sure I caught fish there but had guys walking every where and guys standing in the middle of the hole. Drive a mile or two either way and have plenty of fish to yourself

[Capspath83]

Yep have fished the tca several times. Sure I caught fish there but had guys walking every where and guys standing in the middle of the hole. Drive a mile or two either way and have plenty of fish to yourself

Thanks Deleware...I plan on going to the Belvidere section first to test my luck there with some spinners and trout magnets and salmon eggs.

If that doesn't work, i am going to work my way down to the TCA to see whats going on with just trout magnets and spinners.

Hopefully I get something! I plan on getting there by 10am.

[Almaink]

I'd leave the Trout magnets at home in the TCA. They have scent on them and I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure are not legal there.

[Capspath83]

hmm, didn't think trout magnets had any scent. Just smelt like synthetic rubber to me. I didn't see anything about scent on the packaging either. Either way, just got back from my trip, didn't use trout magnets, only spinners. No luck at all. I may have seen 1 or 2, that's it. I stopped at the Pequest River access over by the belvidere diner, then by uncle bucks diner where the dam is (saw a small bass, no trout..way too weedy over there) then I stopped over by the hatchery a little ways away, found a dead trout in the river but nothing else. Looks promising when they stick it though. There was absolutely no one fishing. Not sure if because of the holiday or because they all knew there is no fish. Most of the water was either up to my shins or knees. Guess I will wait till they restock the rockaway River in the fall, unless there are any other spots I missed. I found a pull off for the TCA, but it was roped off so I walked a ways and could not even find the river so I gave up and walked back. It was about a mile before the hatchery.

All in all, just a little bummed I didn't even see fish!

[Jigman13]

If you're in knee to shin deep water you're in the wrong area to target trout this time of year. Gotta find deep pools preferably shaded.

[Capspath83]

If you're in knee to shin deep water you're in the wrong area to target trout this time of year. Gotta find deep pools preferably shaded.

Thanks Jigman, I thought so. Not sure if it was that the River was low because of lack of rain or if it is normally like that in the areas I fished. This is all new to me and I was going off what I could find online. It may have just been that it's been fished out.

[Capspath83]

Wilson is the guy that hooks fish 3 feet away from the fly guy standing up to his chest in the best hole in the river;) :eek:

Wilson, can you tell me where the best hole in the river is?!:confused: went fishin' there yesterday from 10a-2p with no luck at all. Not even a sighting! :mad:

[Delawareriver]

Lots of holes and spots in the Pequest but many you have to walk. Don't give up there is a ton a trout to be caught in there and I find it much more enjoyable working for a few trout this time of year then catching trout after trout right after they stock.

P.s. trout magnets don't have scent and are completely legal to use in the artificial only sections

[FASTEDDIE29]

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t599/fasteddie2927/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsk5rxdubv.jpg

Here's 1 of 3 Browns I caught today on accident while fishing for "BAIT!" They're out there if you want them. I just wouldn't fish for them during the heatwave that's going to be here tomorrow! But hey, to each there own! Good luck!!!:D

[Capspath83]

Lots of holes and spots in the Pequest but many you have to walk. Don't give up there is a ton a trout to be caught in there and I find it much more enjoyable working for a few trout this time of year then catching trout after trout right after they stock.

P.s. trout magnets don't have scent and are completely legal to use in the artificial only sections

Thanks Delaware, I will go again in a few weeks! I know this is probably a stupid question but humor me since I am a total newbie at River fishing... When you say "walk" do you mean wade all the way up/down River? Just curious since there are only certain areas to park and both sides of the river seem to be covered by a lot of brush except for entries.

Also, I thought that was the case with the trout magnets. Thanks for confirming!

Hopefully next time I go I will have better luck!

[Capspath83]

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t599/fasteddie2927/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsk5rxdubv.jpg

Here's 1 of 3 Browns I caught today on accident while fishing for "BAIT!" They're out there if you want them. I just wouldn't fish for them during the heatwave that's going to be here tomorrow! But hey, to each there own! Good luck!!!:D

Awesome! Thanks Fasteddie! I won't be going next week during the heatwave. Sticking to my lake now catching nice 5lb largemouths and Pikeral. Will go again when it gets a little cooler.

I appreciate all the feedback!

Gives me a lot more confidence to keep going!

[Delawareriver]

Thanks Delaware, I will go again in a few weeks! I know this is probably a stupid question but humor me since I am a total newbie at River fishing... When you say "walk" do you mean wade all the way up/down River? Just curious since there are only certain areas to park and both sides of the river seem to be covered by a lot of brush except for entries.

Also, I thought that was the case with the trout magnets. Thanks for confirming!

Hopefully next time I go I will have better luck!
Some sections there are trails from guys walking over the years, many times though this time of year they can be over grown so yeah if you gotta walk through the water. Just fish the likely holes before walking up or down past them as the trout can be spooky. Great time to go is after a rain when the water comes up and is off color. The fish can't see you as well and are on the feed since there is a lot of food entering the river

[Capspath83]

Some sections there are trails from guys walking over the years, many times though this time of year they can be over grown so yeah if you gotta walk through the water. Just fish the likely holes before walking up or down past them as the trout can be spooky. Great time to go is after a rain when the water comes up and is off color. The fish can't see you as well and are on the feed since there is a lot of food entering the river

Great to hear...Is there a window of opportunity...1-3 days or so? I live somewhat of a distance from the Pequest, so I would mainly go out on a Saturday/Sunday

[Capspath83]

I imagine by the bridges would be a good place to start....There was 1 or 2 that I passed when on the way to the Pequest TCA, but stopped at a different stretch. I do feel a little awkward walking a river in front of peoples houses though:p

[Jigman13]

Just a tip... Head towards the Delaware and fish the western sections. Gotta put the foot work in to find good fish. I've walked miles on the pequest and musky. It paid off in both quantity and quality.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Lol!!! Alright this is getting a little silly now! Here's what were trying to say! Park your vehicle at a Pequest river access, get out of the vehicle, get yourself river ready, walk the river til you find the fish! It's that easy! It's not the biggest river in NJ and easily traveled by foot during the right time of year!

GO FIND THE DAMN FISH YOUR LOOKING FOR!!!

When you do please post a report!!!

TIGHT LINEZ!!!

[NorthJerzyG]

:D Just keep walking and casting trying every spot along the way. You'll find em. Just enjoy the hike and time out and the fish will come.

[Capspath83]

Thanks guys... Sorry, for all the questions. didn't mean to come off silly. Looking forward to getting back out there with more knowledge now! Will be posting my progress.

[Delawareriver]

Great to hear...Is there a window of opportunity...1-3 days or so? I live somewhat of a distance from the Pequest, so I would mainly go out on a Saturday/Sunday
Gotta use your brain a little, after a small storm it might be for a few hours, after a decent rain it might be for a day or two, after a heavy rain event it might not be fishable for a day or two but then be good for a day or two. Also the upper section will get off color faster but then clear up faster then the lower sections. Fishing especially for stocked trout isn't rocket science, don't over think it, and spend some time in the water. Every trip you will learn something no matter how good or bad the trip is