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Originally Posted by al7601
Hello everyone! I've been reading the posts for the last week and this is my first post. I live on the Garfield/Elmwood Park border and am in need of some advice.
I'm now 33 and haven't been active in fishing since I was about 15.
I picked up a license almost a month ago and have since gone fishing only about 6-7 times and still have not caught a thing!!! 
I don't have a boat. I've been to the Passaic River near the falls in Garfield and the bank in front of Elmwood Park high school. I've tried night crawlers and Senkos and still nothing. I'm swithing out my line tonight from 6lb to 14-16lb. I'm also going to invest in some spinnerbaits because I've read alot of folks on here havings some success with them.
I can only fish after 6pm during the week because of work and haven't gone in the morning. I've tried using a bobber and not using a bobber. Nothing has been working!! 
Can someone please share some advice with me? I've been bringing my 7 year old son but he has been losing interest more and more since we both haven't caught a thing yet.  I'll be stopping by Meltzers tonight to get them spinners.
Thanks! |
Not sure where you've been fishing - but look for local ponds that others are fishing - or that have signs that others have fished there recently (empty bait containers, pond-side foot-prints and forked sticks...). Most will contain sunfish, bass, catfish, and usually lots of other species.
If you've been using worms and not catching there are probably few fish where you've been trying. Nearly anything that swims in NJ will take a worm unless they are selectively feeding - like trout taking emergers only during a hatch.
A few things I learned teaching my own kids when they were very young, and more recently my grandchildren:
--Try the spot by yourself to better guarantee fish when you bring the little one. If you're successful odds are they will be when you take them.
--Have a back-up plan. If fishing is slow or non-existent take them to a park or ice-cream parlor. At least they won't remember the experience as a total wash out.
--Make sure you bring snacks and drinks. They will enjoy the snacks as much as the fishing - and you can extend your outing if they're not hungry/thirsty.
--Even if they're catching fish, depending on their age and interest level - they're going to get bored. Let them take breaks - throw rocks in the water (if others aren't fishing close by), chase butterflies, or look for crayfish.
--This was one of my failures - when they're ready to leave - leave - If you're catching a few 2-3lb largemouths and they've been catching 5 inch bluegills this can be tuff - but forcing them to stay beyond their limit makes it a bad experience.
If you're lucky they'll get hooked and you'll have a fishing companion for life.
Good Luck
