Rahway River 9/27
 

Fished in 2 sections of the river in Rahway and Cranford.

Caught 7 small bass in the matter of a half hour in Rahway. Couldn't find anything of decent size but those babies will get fat one day. Also caught a handful of aggressive little sunnies.

Cranford was a bust but I found some new access points which is always an adventure. Watched some carp swim around and enjoyed the peacefulness of the river.

I was fishing with a black zoom finesse worm and a black and Silver Rapala F-3.

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

sounds like a relaxing day

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

It really was. The Rahway River park system is a hidden gem in Union County. You can be a stones throw away from the civilization and highways and feel like you're somewhere out west or up north.

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

I was also out on Rahway in Cranford both Sat. and Sunday and had similar experiences - both days caught multiple small LmB but nothing with much size. My usual go to spot was super clear on Friday though and I spotted a nice sized bass along the bottom. I tried a few different color senkos and dangled them right in from of it with zero interest. Finally one of my casts (drops would probably be more accurate as I was fishing straight down off an elevated ledge) landed right on the fish and spooked it (as well as two other good sized bass I hadn't noticed).

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

The mighty Rahway needs to be stocked with things other than trout
Would gladly give up the trout for pike and smallmouth
Carp tear the place up in most sections
We need an apex predator

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

I agree, the entire stretch in Cranford from the Mill north until the footbridge is overrun with carp. Maybe it's a coincidence, but none of the bass I have caught in the river have come from that same stretch, despite numerous attempts. The only areas I have had luck are upstrseam and downstream from that stretch where water is on average shallower but with isolated pools that the carp cannot get to when water is low. I have seen occasional carp in these pools but for the most part it's LMB and bluegills (and maybe some of suntzu's 'relocated' trout...still looking for those).

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

Stop looking for my trout, you will not find them ;)
From the mill downstream to the parkway is beautiful smallmouth water
Just no smallmouth only sunnies, stunted at that

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

Ahh Suntzu, with each post you divulge little pieces of information that will slowly but surely lead me to the promised land. For instance, this most recent post leads me to believe i may have gotten a little too comfortable with my northside waters. I think its about time i cross over to the dark side, i mean south side, and do a little exploration;-) With that new south ave. mexican joint opening right on the river maybe with a little luck i can celebrate successfully catching (and releasing) one of your mythic rahway river holdover trout with tacos and a few margaritas.

On a somewhat related note, i cannot wait for River & Rails to open. My wife and i have been desperate for good mexican food/drink since we moved to Cranford years ago and while union, westfield and roselle park each have OK places, i have a feeling this place will be the answer to our prayers. Plus i can walk home so if food sucks, there are always the margaritas!

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

[QUOTE=
On a somewhat related note, i cannot wait for River & Rails to open. My wife and i have been desperate for good mexican food/drink since we moved to Cranford years ago and while union, westfield and roselle park each have OK places, i have a feeling this place will be the answer to our prayers. Plus i can walk home so if food sucks, there are always the margaritas![/QUOTE]


Try Beana's in Rahway. My Fiance and I love that place. The steep banks on that stretch make it a little tough to fish in some spots.

What are the laws around clearing paths to shore access? Can you carry a small ax or machete to pathways?

Re: Rahway River 9/27
 

beanas is good I used to get takeout from there all the time when I lived in clark. nowadays the only real "mexican" food places I can convince my wife to go are jose tejas, chipotle and chilis :(