New Long Branch Fishing Pier

[Gerry Zagorski]

How about that!

https://patch.com/new-jersey/longbra...atlantic-ocean

[Fishfulthinkin]

I like this!!! We used to fish off the old pier in the 70’s catching whiting, then have some cocktails in the pier bar. Good days!

[Broad Bill]

That is great news! Shocking but great! With all the money New Jersey recreational anglers pour into state and federal coffers, it about time a decent pier is in the plans to promote a legacy recreational activity. If it's draws fish anywhere near how the old pier did, it'll be an incredible success story. That area, proximity to structure in deeper water, lights at night attracting bait fish, crabs, lobsters attracted to the pilings and blackfish attracted to the crustaceans, it was a fisherman's dream. Some of the best fluke fishing I've ever seen came off that pier, especially in the fall when schools of big fluke came inshore for the beginning of the mullet run to store up energy before beginning their long journey off shore. I'd bet if we see sand eels return in numbers, you'll reestablish a night ling fishery as well with maybe a token whiting thrown in the mix. The ling / whiting fishery every night if you had a high tide was literally off the charts with triple headers coming up routinely. As soon as it got dark, sand eels would flood in and ling and whiting would follow. It was like clockwork. Plus it was a relatively cheap way for a family or anyone to spend a day at the shore with a chance of catching dinner or a fish of a lifetime. People who never knew the old pier have no idea how incredibly great it was. Good to see someone finally made the decision and financial commitment to replace it, never thought we'd ever see that happen certainly in my lifetime. Kudo's to the state and Long Branch for making this commitment. Job well done!

[SplitShot]

Originally Posted by Fishfulthinkin

I like this!!! We used to fish off the old pier in the 70’s catching whiting, then have some cocktails in the pier bar. Good days!

I can't believe it's almost 50 yrs ago but I used to do the same thing!! Feels like just yesterday

[AndyS]

That was one of the great things about Southern California, all the piers ! No one seems to talk about the old Casino Pier in Seaside before Sandy took that away. Hopefully this project gets off the ground and isn't derailed by major cost overruns, that along with a few Nor'easters.

[Capt. Debbie]

Can they bring in Whiting from a hatchery too? Wow the memories!

Last time I fished LB Pier was a wintery Thursday night w/ first run Star Trek TV shows on afterwards.

[shbeachbum]

Originally Posted by Capt. Debbie

Can they bring in Whiting from a hatchery too? Wow the memories!

Last time I fished LB Pier was a wintery Thursday night w/ first run Star Trek TV shows on afterwards.

My opinion is with the beach replenishment and the notched jetties, the old pier atmosphere can not be duplicated.

[Broad Bill]

I don't see a 500 ft pier any different than the fish magnet arguments people used about wind farms or oil rigs. Pilings will attract forage, forage will attract predators, night lights will attract baitfish and baitfish will attract predators. The question is how far out will the pier go into the ocean. Will it extend 100 ft or 450 ft. If it's out as far as the old pier, it'll be fine. The surrounding contour of the old pier was all sand, no structure and fishing was incredible.

[catsmeow]

Wow just turned 79 and remember the winter night trips for whiting. My memory of it bring cold and a tough place for a kid to fish. Used to retreat to the warm restaurant. Also remember some tough winter trips out to the scotland light trip. Still fishing around the hook in my boat for summer fluke. I think whats the one thing that never changes. The tide. Tight lines !

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Broad Bill

I don't see a 500 ft pier any different than the fish magnet arguments people used about wind farms or oil rigs. Pilings will attract forage, forage will attract predators, night lights will attract baitfish and baitfish will attract predators. The question is how far out will the pier go into the ocean. Will it extend 100 ft or 450 ft. If it's out as far as the old pier, it'll be fine. The surrounding contour of the old pier was all sand, no structure and fishing was incredible.

Outside of the Whiting/Ling, I'm not sure I would describe the fishing there as incredible... There were fluke/blues, other things like kingfish ,blowfish, a porgy once in a while, and believe it or not in those days no one really fished much for blackfish at the pier.. It was often picky during the warm months, with a lot of sea robins, dogs, skates etc, The winter Ling and Whiting made that pier famous,.. outside of that, I dunno, you could do as well or better at a good jetty.

Even when the ling/whiting were in solid you had to be out at the end of the pier preferably in a corner spot most nights... those fish were seldom along the sides in any great numbers..
Still, I think its a great thing that there will be a new a new pier to fish from in Long Branch.. hopefully, it will be a little more kid friendly and easier to fish from than the original was.. It certainly can't hurt the town thats for sure.. It will bring revenue to local business for certain.. I hope its reasonably priced , thats important these days. Working families not making big money can use a break from the crazy prices they have to pay for everything. bob