Is Raritan bay dead ?

[baseballman]

If you asked me this time last year, I would’ve said no.

However, I spent much of last Aug/Sept in the channel en route to the extremely popular fluke grounds and I can tell you the commercial boats are hard at work there. I used to think the issue was participation but I just think there’s been so much pressure there over the years (and I’m not blaming commercial guys they have to make a living, too) that the fish are spread out around the bay, making it harder to find concentrations.

Of all the formerly abundant species, Bluefish to me are the biggest mystery. I grew up on the Point boats running up to the channel or 17 Fathom Banks to catch absolute monsters and you just don’t see it anymore, not even in small numbers. Definitely miss that summertime fishery.

[Duffman]

The fact is, that the guys who were posting reports about the Raritan no longer post reports. They are all still fishing the bay just not reporting it anymore. IMO it’s a forum issue not a members posting issue.

FWIW, yeah both SH bay and the Raritan have changed drastically since Sandy. The days of dragging killies aimlessly and putting together a catch are over.

Like Jigman said it’s all about the water quality and lately it’s been awful.

And agree with Hammer as well. Been hitting a spot literally 150 yards out of my marina. Conditions have to be perfect but it will produce all the time and spend zero in fuel to get there.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Duffman

FWIW, yeah both SH bay and the Raritan have changed drastically since Sandy.

Yep!