[americandesi]

Zak there are a lot of good suggestions here. When I first started fishing for trout about 20 years ago, I read the book Fishing for Trout by Andy Gennaro. That book has a lot good info for someone just starting out. I also suggest watching YouTube videos of people fishing local streams to see what is working for others.

One other suggestion I have is to see if you can catch stocked trout either in a small pond or one of the numerous small brooks & streams that are stocked in NW Jersey before you fish a larger stream like the Musky. You'll have an easier time finding the fish. Once you have good day fishing a local brook, and you get a good idea of where the fish are then give the Musky another shot. The Musky in Stevens St. Park is a good place to learn how to catch stocked trout before the water there warms up in June and the fish disappear.