Trigger fish

[makokeith]

I was fishing Saturday all over structure and had my gulps coming up with small chunks missing. North jersey. 6" grubs had chunks missing from the main body. Kept saying to myself that it was trigger. Idk. Any other fish do this"

[Inishmore3]

Go to the Barnegat Inlet on Long Beach Island. FHQ's is reporting that within the rocks there are trigger fish and blackfish. If you are lucky, you can get a sheepshead at the "rockpile". Go to LBI and have a great time. Bring plenty of clam and green crabs.

[Blackfish Bobby]

DUDES.....Are you kidding me. Protecting a Trigger fish spot...

CMon now.... I find this crap unbelievable.

[kmaty]

Yep! Dudes wha wha wha wont tell me where his trigger spot is this is why im buthurt wha wha wha why even make your usless comment.

[dfish28]

Fwiw haven't gone skin diving yet this year, but they are typically in shark river inlet by now, usually saw them closer to the bridge than out further, never shot one always thought they were no good... Old dog, new fish to eat....

[rumster]

Originally Posted by kmaty

Yep! Dudes wha wha wha wont tell me where his trigger spot is this is why im buthurt wha wha wha why even make your usless comment.

No harm No foul. Thanks for the info kmaty its greatly appreciated! Tight lines guys.

[Arbutis]

Shrewsbury Rocks are LOADED with trigger fish RIGHT NOW>
If they are there I'm sure they are up and down the coast on any structure or mussel beds - like someone else said, where you find togs and sea bass.

I was spearfishing last Wednesday morning and I have never seen so many triggers. They are a pretty easy shot so we loaded up on them. Not the smartest fish in the sea. You shoot one and 5 others swim right up to it. Nice firm white filets. Tough skin. A little bony. Not the easiest fish to clean. Delicious.

Another comment said something about readings on your sonar - YES - look for multiple readings that are not exactly on the bottom. These fish hover. Togs and bass are on the bottom for the most part. The triggers are mid to bottom dwellers and school up and are very slow moving - so your sonar will really light up.

To catch with rod and reel I would use a dropper rig with a weight to the bottom and then a couple small hooks from 6 to 10 feet off the bottom with small squid strips. I like the size 4 gamakatsu octo hooks for just about everything and I think they would be perfect for triggers.

Hope this intel helps. We shot them in 16 feet of water up to 28 feet of water (larger ones were in the 28 ft depth range) just south of the rocks off of Big Monmouth. How's that for a 'secret spot'

[MrAC1980]

Sorry I didn't mean to make anyone's butthurt, LOL. I wasn't protecting anything, when I said Jetty's, I meant inlets. Any of the local inlet rocks should be holding them by this time. Simple hi/low rig with small super strong hooks and small pieces of squid/clam is all you need.

[rumster]

Originally Posted by Arbutis

Shrewsbury Rocks are LOADED with trigger fish RIGHT NOW>
If they are there I'm sure they are up and down the coast on any structure or mussel beds - like someone else said, where you find togs and sea bass.

I was spearfishing last Wednesday morning and I have never seen so many triggers. They are a pretty easy shot so we loaded up on them. Not the smartest fish in the sea. You shoot one and 5 others swim right up to it. Nice firm white filets. Tough skin. A little bony. Not the easiest fish to clean. Delicious.

Another comment said something about readings on your sonar - YES - look for multiple readings that are not exactly on the bottom. These fish hover. Togs and bass are on the bottom for the most part. The triggers are mid to bottom dwellers and school up and are very slow moving - so your sonar will really light up.

To catch with rod and reel I would use a dropper rig with a weight to the bottom and then a couple small hooks from 6 to 10 feet off the bottom with small squid strips. I like the size 4 gamakatsu octo hooks for just about everything and I think they would be perfect for triggers.

Hope this intel helps. We shot them in 16 feet of water up to 28 feet of water (larger ones were in the 28 ft depth range) just south of the rocks off of Big Monmouth. How's that for a 'secret spot'

LOL. Thanks

[Blackfish Bobby]

Originally Posted by Arbutis

Shrewsbury Rocks are LOADED with trigger fish RIGHT NOW>
If they are there I'm sure they are up and down the coast on any structure or mussel beds - like someone else said, where you find togs and sea bass.

I was spearfishing last Wednesday morning and I have never seen so many triggers. They are a pretty easy shot so we loaded up on them. Not the smartest fish in the sea. You shoot one and 5 others swim right up to it. Nice firm white filets. Tough skin. A little bony. Not the easiest fish to clean. Delicious.

Another comment said something about readings on your sonar - YES - look for multiple readings that are not exactly on the bottom. These fish hover. Togs and bass are on the bottom for the most part. The triggers are mid to bottom dwellers and school up and are very slow moving - so your sonar will really light up.

To catch with rod and reel I would use a dropper rig with a weight to the bottom and then a couple small hooks from 6 to 10 feet off the bottom with small squid strips. I like the size 4 gamakatsu octo hooks for just about everything and I think they would be perfect for triggers.

Hope this intel helps. We shot them in 16 feet of water up to 28 feet of water (larger ones were in the 28 ft depth range) just south of the rocks off of Big Monmouth. How's that for a 'secret spot'

Just catching up on the static in this post.
... Been busy out catching Triggers. LMAO...Great Report. Thanks.
FYI The Wonder Rig with live Peanut Bunker continues to score BIG with fish to 7lbs. and easy limits in Raritan Bay. Great season so far in the bay after the extended season in the river.