Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

Hello everyone,

I'll be home for the holidays starting today and I'm excited to get some New Jersey fishing in. I've never caught a blackfish and would love to get my first. Anyone know if there are any blackfish still in the PP Canal or anywhere else in the northern half of the state that can be caught from shore? Thanks.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

🤔 There may still be some stragglers around. Water is still warm.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

Inlet would probably be a better bet. Some blackfish do winter over in the canal but they eat very little once the water temp drops below 50. Last decent fishing I heard of there was about 3 weeks ago.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

I would fish Pt. Side of MI or Belmar side of SRI ...Focus @ slack tide- 80/100 lb green power pro ( only need 50ft top shot)straight to 1/0 hook with crab....2 oz lead at slack to 4 oz running tide- bring plenty of weight ...cast 1/4 way out - sink to bottom and slowly pull back till you feel the first rock.U R in the zone/ wait for the real bite- Now go catch emm up👍👍...

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

80/100 power pro? For blackfish? In the inlets? LOL, just use whatever you would for fluke, grab some crabs, a few rigs and some sinkers and you’ll be alright. Keep expectations pretty low.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

I saw a fisherman walk off the Manasquan Inlet north jetty jetty with a keeper blackfish recently.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

80/100 really helps with keeping your gear yours and not the inlets...Sometimes I even catch more sinkers then I lose 😆/ it will also straighten a 1/0 instead of breaking your line, bend hook back with pliers and back in action...There are big ones there tight to the rocks( Jax )- heavy line and you might just drag that fatty out of their holes 👍👍 Just my way of doing it/ light tackle guys get some too....

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

Smart move...Could not agree more...Most guys will cast out 15-20 feet into the inlet and bring their rig in closer until they find good bottom. More often than not your line is rubbing against rocks from where the water drops off. Not to mention when a larger fish runs into a hole. I use 60lb test, but have many friends who use 80lb test. Blackfishing at the inlets is not like fishing for sunnies in a lake or blackfishing from a boat where you have a better angle on the fish.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

My buddy had 8 tog on Tuesday, all shorts up to 14", all on soft baits.

Re: Blackfish in the PP Canal?
 

Thank you everyone for the replies. I'll give it a shot sometime early next week and will report back.