(Sort of) newbie advice wanted: north Jersey
 

25 years ago I was as avid a fisherman as a HS kid could be, and worked at Hermanns Sporting Goods only so that I could buy all the fishing gear I could ever want when it went on sale and with the employee discount. And back then I had a boat.

Life happened and I strayed from fishing. Now with small kids I'd like to get them interested. My son has outgrown the tiny hook / tiny panfish thing at local ponds. Any idea where and how to get him a shot at some bigger fish, without a boat ? We live in Essex County but can travel.

Re: (Sort of) newbie advice wanted: north Jersey
 

Check ur pm

Re: (Sort of) newbie advice wanted: north Jersey
 

From one newbie to another:eek: :D
But he had some good teachers;)

Re: (Sort of) newbie advice wanted: north Jersey
 

I'm an Essex County (Nutley) resident too and due to getting laid off and this horrible economy, have had enough free time to fish 2-4 times a week. All of my "spots" are within 40 minutes drive of Nutley. Here's my breakdown of my "home" lakes/rivers:

Passaic River: Big Pike, average Largemouth Bass, very nice Smallmouth Bass. Most productive area is the Two Bridges area in Fairfield/Lincoln Park....about 5 mins from Willowbrook Mall. Decent shore access.

Pompton Lake: Pike, excellent Largemouth Bass, excellent panfish. About 10 mins off rt 23...takes me about 25 mins from Nutley. Not the best shore access, but there's a park on the lake with access, as well as a floating dock on the other side.

Monksville Reservoir: Excellent Large/Smallmouth, Walleye, Musky. Takes me about 35 mins from Nutley. Average shore access, I caught a ton of bass from shore there before I picked up my kayak last year. Most beautiful/natural body of water I've been on in NJ.

Verona Park: definetly my sleeper spot. Decent Largemouth, saw tons of 1-2lb bass spawning there last month. Off Bloomfield ave in Verona. Tons of shore access.


Feel free to PM me and ill help ya out anyway I can. Hope I was of some help.