Porgy - Anyone know a good spot to find them?

[tristic]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to fishing and wanted to know if porgy can be found in the NJ area?

If so, what location is best and can they be caught from the surf or only on a boat?

Thank you so much

T.

[bulletbob]

They are easier to find in NY/LI /Conn than in NJ... We get them in Raritan Bay, and the big rockpiles out in the bay between NY and NJ always hold some. Lots of small ones to work through in the bay.. They are also at the Tin Can grounds, and on the Sandy Hook Reef, and sometimes good size ones are in the rocky bottom off of Long Branch, Deal. Elberon etc... Its still a bit early.. August and Sept there are more around.. They come into the Shrewsbury River some years, but tend to be small....
Your best bet if you really want them now is to hop aboard one of the sponsor boats that is fishing for them at night.. The reports have looked pretty decent... The size in inshore NJ waters does not match up with what they get near shore in LI Sound in NY and Conn.... We get smaller ones , and less of them than they do out there.. Shore fishing is going to be tough.. You might get small "sand porgies" in aug/sept in raritan bay/shewsbury river, but they have to be 9 inches to keep, and the bigger ones are taken by boaters on rough bottom.. I would either hook up with a head boat that is targeting them, or head over to the NY side. Its not that far a drive... bob

[tristic]

Thank you bulletbob

I really appreciate the information.

[HK1490]

Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands with Capt.Dan Monday -Saturday 6:30PM to 11:30 PM and Sunday 3:30-9:30pm.