What a sea-run brown trout looks like:

[AndyS]

A recent photo from Cape Cod Mass.

[Chrisper4694]

how cool would it be if we had those!

[fishermanv]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

how cool would it be if we had those!

Just another day on the squan if you know where to look fellas.

[JDTuna]

Beautiful fish, Andy!

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by fishermanv

Just another day on the squan if you know where to look fellas.

This angler knew where to look: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/crunimag.htm

[acabtp]

Seems like most of the reports are from way in the past now. What are the catch numbers like for say the last 5 years Mark?

[AndyS]

I can tell you..............ZERO !!

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I can tell you..............ZERO !!

That is correct,……..0.

However, I still field occasional inquiries about fishing for Manasquan River Sea Run Browns.

I tell them what I know:

1. The fish are extremely wary / hard to catch.
2. The river is hard to fish,…muddy, slippery banks, many snags ,…
3. No recent reported catches.
4. Rumors persist that some locals catch them, but remain tight lipped.

Paul Ripperger, the pictured angler, was very forthcoming with his techniques:

Manasquan River Sea Run Brown Trout Fishing Tips
• Fish the Manasquan River one to two days after a rain as it is becoming less muddy but not too clear. Evening through the night is the best time.

• Mid-October to January 1: Bait is the most productive - pink, white and chartreuse spawn sacs, night crawlers, worms or killies. The sea runs move into freshwater and are actively feeding.

• January 1 to February 1: The sea runs are spawning and not actively feeding but will strike at 2" long lures such as Rapalas, C.P. Swings and Rooster Tails. The most productive lure colors are silver, chartreuse and hot pink. Use a slow retrieve.

• February through May: Use bait as described above.

• The Manasquan River is very difficult to fish - it has brushy, overgrown banks. Anglers should use caution - the mud is very slippery, there are many deep holes and many underwater snags.

• Expect to put in a lot of time. If you get a bite, that's a good day, if you hook one that's a great day, if you land one that's an unbelievable day.

Back then, we held a Sea Run Brown Fishing Forum one evening @ Brielle Bait & Tackle. Paul Ripperger was the speaker. Maybe about a dozen anglers attended. Paul moved to Long Island, where he fishes for sea runs.

You never know,……perhaps, some of those in that audience are now catching…………

[Mikey topaz]

Back a out five six years ago we used to catch em down in manasquan river just bout evreycast all. Little guys but was a much better fight then stockie trout

[Mark B.]

Originally Posted by Mikey topaz

Back a out five six years ago we used to catch em down in manasquan river just bout evreycast all. Little guys but was a much better fight then stockie trout

As you know, we no longer raise brown trout @ The Pequest Hatchery.
When we did, we stocked 8” (the size, @ which, they tend to move to saline water) sea run browns in the fall. Also, any surplus browns (4” – 6”) that we could not use in our inland waters were stocked in the Manasquan River.

We’ve heard from other anglers who caught & released many of these sea run “trainees”. And, every once & a while, one of those anglers hooked into something bigger, that took off like a freight train & ultimately got / broke off.