Point Pleasant Canal

[Reel Class]

Originally Posted by JerseyCoast

Try some 1" - 2" pcs of sandworm in the early spring for them! Works much better than the usual bait. Only in the spring... its also easier on the hook set too. I know it sounds odd..... but try it.

We used to catch them in there all summer long on sandworms - we'd catch them in there from late april straight through October never put a crab on the bottom lol.

We're talking 20 years ago before they implemented the 12" minimum size limit, but the quantity of tog in that canal is still basically the same as it was then, they might actually even be a bit bigger now. So FWIW togs love worms but they are so hard to keep on the hook with all the other critters around!

[JerseyCoast]

Originally Posted by Reel Class

We used to catch them in there all summer long on sandworms - we'd catch them in there from late april straight through October never put a crab on the bottom lol.

We're talking 20 years ago before they implemented the 12" minimum size limit, but the quantity of tog in that canal is still basically the same as it was then, they might actually even be a bit bigger now. So FWIW togs love worms but they are so hard to keep on the hook with all the other critters around!

No kidding... I always stopped in June. I know the larger fish that find their way in there are on crabs, blue claw being the largest we have seen, but I never gave it a try throughout the summer. Its a great place to teach a kid about toggin' so I will remember this !! Thanx Allen.

[Stautog27]

Blackfish the mouth of the canal very often, anchor at the edge. Have caught them in the spring using clam and have done very well. Couple years ago had them going pretty good with the clams, but the boat anchored next to me was slaying them. Guess what he was using? Right sand worms. Kind of expensive, but they definitely get it done

[Papasown]

Scotty, I was told that, about the dandilions, many years ago, when I was a young man, and the wise old man was very old. He also told me to go to the beach and dig sand crabs, keep them in a pail with ocean water and a lot of sand, and add more salt water when it gets low. His pail was so heavy he just left it at the bulkhead at the Manasquan end when you could go out to the end on the west bank. Sometimes I would bring him some fresh crabs, cause I know a lot of people had their hand in his bucket.................... me included,lol.

The bluefish that come through first are real skinny, and kind of long looking, but they fatten up quickly. When it starts, you could catch 100 in no time there, with tin, only 10 years ago. And don't be too surprised to see a tiderunner weakfish there in May, but I hope you take a picture, and let her swim again. Thank you for that. Papa

[PeteyHD]

Originally Posted by Papasown

Scotty, I was told that, about the dandilions, many years ago, when I was a young man, and the wise old man was very old. He also told me to go to the beach and dig sand crabs, keep them in a pail with ocean water and a lot of sand, and add more salt water when it gets low. His pail was so heavy he just left it at the bulkhead at the Manasquan end when you could go out to the end on the west bank. Sometimes I would bring him some fresh crabs, cause I know a lot of people had their hand in his bucket.................... me included,lol.

The bluefish that come through first are real skinny, and kind of long looking, but they fatten up quickly. When it starts, you could catch 100 in no time there, with tin, only 10 years ago. And don't be too surprised to see a tiderunner weakfish there in May, but I hope you take a picture, and let her swim again. Thank you for that. Papa

That was awesome! I loved the story. It's amazing when you look back at all the moments that have taught us how to be better fishermen and elders who take time to show the younger generation how to catch them. A great wise man also taught me the ways of fishing 21 years ago when I was a young lad. Now I teach him! HAHAHA

[Scotty]

Hey papasown. I noticed that the dandelions bring the bass in the Raritan bay. Like clockwork. I hate them yellow things lol

[Papasown]

You're right, Scotty. I used to keep my boat up at the Clam Hut in Highlands from mid-April till June 1. I had the good striper bite until it picked up down near the Manasquan. Good winter flounder fishing, too.
As far as dandilions go, they only grow in the yard during fishing season, so I believe that green is good, and go fishing. Catch 'em up........Papa