[catfishonthelake]

I was there in Sept. I spent all week throwing lures from the jetty near the low-rise hotels without success. I finally gave up being a purist and went to the supermarket. All of those supermarkets have a better bait selection than most NJ bait shops. Dozens of different kinds of frozen fish. I bought some smelt and started having fun with little cuda, jack and big needlefish (hound fish). On the last day I hooked a 40-50 pound tarpon all the way up on the NW side of the island within sight of the lighthouse. I fought it like a champ on a medium action rod for 10 minutes and had it to my feet three times before it took one last run and spit the hook. You need to rent a car to get to this spot, but if you're gonna have one and are bringing a rod, PM me and I'll give you the details. A local told me about the spot and every time I went there it was filled with bait, needlefish and apparently at least one tarpon. I'd stay away from the charters in town. They're very pricey and although they occasionally do hook a wahoo, mahi or sail, chances are you're gonna pay $600+ to catch bonita and tiny albacore.