A fish story,.....but I believed it.

[AndyS]

We are hoping sea-run brown trout.

[HerringKing]

There are big white suckers in there and with those lips it could easily get off

[AndyS]

On Marks’ behalf I thank him for passing on the information. Remember, he doesn’t have to come on here and give us a heads up.

But, if you oppose to seeing 15,000 brown trout stocked in the Manasquan river annually, take it up by writing letters to NJ FG&W or attend meetings hosted by F&G.

[danyeo]

Hopefully it's not Snakeheads. It's probably only a matter of time before we start seeing them here.

[Tony Cav]

Maybe..........bull sharks.....yea...that's the story...bull sharks....yea that's the ticket!!!

The lowed river is full of cocktail blues and some shad as well....all in the 1 to 3 pound category....

[Tony Cav]

Originally Posted by AndyS

On Marks’ behalf I thank him for passing on the information. Remember, he doesn’t have to come on here and give us a heads up.

But, if you oppose to seeing 15,000 brown trout stocked in the Manasquan river annually, take it up by writing letters to NJ FG&W or attend meetings hosted by F&G.

From what I have heard there is almost no return of these fish.....the program has been going for years........fishery has never been established. 15,000 is just not enough to establish a viable fishery.

[surfrod]

even if the salt line were up that high, I'd believe weakies before blues that far up river. if they were blues that size, no way would that rubber jig come back in tact

but, good fish story nonetheless

[Lard Almighty]

All right, let's look at our facts.

1. The angler hooked six fish, all of which spit the hook, and only one of which he got a decent look at.
2. The angler was fishing with artificial lures on 8 lb. test.
3. The angler was fishing in an area of the river that is at the very top of the tidal portion.
4. The angler saw what he claimed to be a 3-foot silvery fish dart through the water.
5. Immediately after he saw the fish, he hooked what felt like a large fish.
6. The fish he saw clearly was silvery in color and was not a striper.

We assume that the angler was not fishing with a steel leader. Also, Mark B. trusts the man's story, so we can also assume that he is at least a moderately experienced angler and is not prone to exaggeration. Additionally, as it is very difficult to estimate the size of a fast-moving fish in the water, we can also assume that the angler may have overestimated the size of the fish by several inches.

Now, let's take a look at our suspects.



Bluefish
As the river at that location is tidal, it is conceivable that bluefish could make it up that far. Bluefish approaching 3 feet are also no uncommon. However, as the angler did not report getting bit off using 8 lb. test after hooking six of these, it is unlikely that all of them were bluefish, as at least one or two would have easily bitten through the line.

White Sucker
There is a large population of suckers in the river, and suckers have been known to strike artificial lures on occasion. However, suckers do not reach even close to 3 feet in length, and their coloration is more brown or bronze than silvery. Also, unless they were unknowingly snagged, it is highly unlikely that six in the same area would be hooked on an artificial lure.

Snakehead
Snakeheads are highly aggressive and will attack artificial lures. Also, snakeheads approaching 3 feet have been caught in US waters before. However, up to now there have been no documented catches of snakeheads in the Manasquan River drainage. Also, the coloration of these fish is dark green to dark brown, not silvery.

Shad
As they are anadromous, shad could survive in the freshwater portions of the Manasquan, and they will hit artificial lures. However, there is no documentation of significant runs of larger shad up the Manasquan. Even if there was a few in the river, shad don't typically get larger than about 2 feet long. However, the fact that all these fish were missed is indicative of the relatively low hookup to landing ratio inherent in shad fishing.

Weakfish
It is possible that a number of larger weakfish may have entered the river. However their coloration is distinctly more pinkish than silvery. Also, a weakfish approaching 3 feet, while plausible, is definitely a rarity, especially at the top of an estuary that is relatively shallow.

Stocked Trout
The state does stock some sizable trout in the river during the spring. However, it is highly unlikely that they would stock one approaching 3 feet in the Manasquan. Also, unless the trout has been in the river for a long while, it would likely not attain the silvery coloration described.

Sea Run Brown Trout
These fish have been caught in the river in the past, with some of these catches being well over 2 feet long. They are known to enter the river during periods of high water, which was the case at the time due to recent rains. The fish are very silvery in color. However, hooking six of these fish in one day is, while not impossible, highly unlikely, especially if they were all of the size the angler described.

Based on what we know, and not having seen what this angler saw, it is nearly impossible to know for sure what was in the river that day. It is possible that it was a school of bluefish. It is also possible that brown trout are starting to return to the river in greater numbers. Or, it could be something that has not been considered before. Either way, this story contributes even more mystery to the baffling fishery that is the muddy Manasquan River.

[Wilson]

Carniverous Grass Carp

And Lard you have too much time on your hands at work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tautog]

Few fish for them correctly so few catch them. I learned from Paul Ripperger and usually have some measure of success when I give it a try. Fish immediately after a rainstorm as increased fresh water seepage into the salt attracts fish to run up river. No one wants to do this because the river is a swirling mudhole and they can't see any fish in these conditions. Wait till it lowers and clears and fish will be spread out in the deepest holes, moving in only low light conditions. In these conditions, spawn is the best bait, followed by worm and killies.

If you don't have good conditions working the lower tidal part between Brice Park and Lightning Jacks can produce as the fish are staging to run the river. Lures are a better bet down here as you are more covering water than working holes. Don't fish for sea runs much anymore, but the few successful guys that do, follow these generalizations and catch. Most are sea run browns, there are a few sea run rainbows and the occasional sea run brookie. Browns get huge, I had one over 30" once, rainbows not so much, never seen one over 22".