Manasquan Reservoir recommendations?

[rmc17]

Hey, all. I will be taking my 7 yr old boys to the Reservoir (first time) sometime in the next few days with their new spinning rods; the plan is to cast from the beach or the docks for now, hopefully they'll get some sunnies. Any recommendations for me to fish for from shore? I don't have much but some soft-plastics, a couple jigs and jig heads, a popper or two, and probably the Gulp worms the boys will be using. Also curious if you are only allowed to fish from certain spots on the shore or if the whole reservoir is fair game.
Thanks for the help!

[Hookmanski]

Go to walmart and grab the Neon Trout Magnet Kit. Its 12 bucks and comes with 15 jigheads and 70 soft plastics in all sorts of colors. Have them cast them out and let them free fall for awhile, and slowly reel in and twitch them. I guarantee if the fish are around they'll catch a ton. The soft plastics are pretty strong too, I caught over 50 panfish on the same one in a single day.

[rmc17]

Go to walmart and grab the Neon Trout Magnet Kit. Its 12 bucks and comes with 15 jigheads and 70 soft plastics in all sorts of colors. Have them cast them out and let them free fall for awhile, and slowly reel in and twitch them. I guarantee if the fish are around they'll catch a ton. The soft plastics are pretty strong too, I caught over 50 panfish on the same one in a single day.

Nice; I'll see if I can grab one in the next few days!

[bulletbob]

Personally, I would dig some garden worms, or go out on a damp night and get a few dozen nightcrawlers,, Its not in vogue these days of high tech fishing, but a plain old bobber and worm is still a VERY effective method, catches lots of different species, and the kids LOVE watching the bobber go flying underwater.. I still love fishing with a plain old worm and bobber after doing it for close to 60 years, and still catch a lot of nice fish doing it... bob

[rmc17]

Personally, I would dig some garden worms, or go out on a damp night and get a few dozen nightcrawlers,, Its not in vogue these days of high tech fishing, but a plain old bobber and worm is still a VERY effective method, catches lots of different species, and the kids LOVE watching the bobber go flying underwater.. I still love fishing with a plain old worm and bobber after doing it for close to 60 years, and still catch a lot of nice fish doing it... bob

Hey, Bob - Yeah, that is the plan for the boys. I was hoping I might be able to fish something else from the shore while they're watching their bobbers :)

[bulletbob]

Hey, Bob - Yeah, that is the plan for the boys. I was hoping I might be able to fish something else from the shore while they're watching their bobbers :)

understood.. I don't know that lake, but if I were shore fishing a lake I didn't know, I would put a live shiner out 4 -5 feet under a bobber, and while that was soaking, work a second rod witha small jig along bottom, with some sort of Gulp tail, or a small Sluggo or FinS... bob

[rmc17]

understood.. I don't know that lake, but if I were shore fishing a lake I didn't know, I would put a live shiner out 4 -5 feet under a bobber, and while that was soaking, work a second rod witha small jig along bottom, with some sort of Gulp tail, or a small Sluggo or FinS... bob

Thx; only one rod but I will give those a shot!

[NJSquatch]

X2 on the trout magnets

Tie them under a bobber and fish around any structure with the occasional twitch. Panfish galore

[rmc17]

X2 on the trout magnets

Tie them under a bobber and fish around any structure with the occasional twitch. Panfish galore

Will do; thx!

[Rich196]

You will do great with garden worms, even night crawlers at Manasquan, you can fish off either dock on the ramp, but I recommend going to the left and fishing off the pier they have, because the docks do not have any railing as the pier does, you can also buy live shiners right at the ranger station right there, they also carry a good amount of different tackle, and they dont rip you off. Enjoy... The kids will catch many many fish, sunnies etc. if you use the shiners with a bobber, trust me, you will have a chance to catch a huge fish right from that pier.

[skippy]

I prefer using mealworms for fishing for sunnies with the kids. They stick on the hook better and it's harder for the fish to get them off without getting hooked. Good Luck.

[NJSquatch]

You will do great with garden worms, even night crawlers at Manasquan, you can fish off either dock on the ramp, but I recommend going to the left and fishing off the pier they have, because the docks do not have any railing as the pier does, you can also buy live shiners right at the ranger station right there, they also carry a good amount of different tackle, and they dont rip you off. Enjoy... The kids will catch many many fish, sunnies etc. if you use the shiners with a bobber, trust me, you will have a chance to catch a huge fish right from that pier.

Rich clear out your PMs

[rmc17]

You will do great with garden worms, even night crawlers at Manasquan, you can fish off either dock on the ramp, but I recommend going to the left and fishing off the pier they have, because the docks do not have any railing as the pier does, you can also buy live shiners right at the ranger station right there, they also carry a good amount of different tackle, and they dont rip you off. Enjoy... The kids will catch many many fish, sunnies etc. if you use the shiners with a bobber, trust me, you will have a chance to catch a huge fish right from that pier.

Have to try the pier next time; walked to a little beach right of the ramp. Lots of hits but nothing hooked. Had nightcrawlers but they were huge and were ripped off pretty easily. Was not aware they sold bait there; good to know. Thx!

[rmc17]

I prefer using mealworms for fishing for sunnies with the kids. They stick on the hook better and it's harder for the fish to get them off without getting hooked. Good Luck.

Good call; the nightcrawlers were taken off the hook repeatedly :P
Next time....

[Riz]

I agree with all above but don't forget the Berkley power wigglers. I keep a couple packs handy for my son , niece or nephew. use with size 8 hook or 10, split shot bb or unweighted and small bobber. quick action is what ya need for the kids

[bigfishy]

You will do great with garden worms, even night crawlers at Manasquan, you can fish off either dock on the ramp, but I recommend going to the left and fishing off the pier they have, because the docks do not have any railing as the pier does, you can also buy live shiners right at the ranger station right there, they also carry a good amount of different tackle, and they dont rip you off. Enjoy... The kids will catch many many fish, sunnies etc. if you use the shiners with a bobber, trust me, you will have a chance to catch a huge fish right from that pier.

Yes there are a few dock pets just like most lakes with alot of pressure where guys use live bait....Those fish make their living on fisherman emptying their bait buckets before departure, and theyve saved the day fer tourney guys having a tough day....