Garden State Trout

Johnw wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 9:30 am

In my opinion, the striper season has got off to a slow start. Reports of the large, migrating fish are just starting where some years they arrive in early to mid September. Water still a warm 63 degrees here in Monmouth County

Johnw wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 31, 2024 5:01 pm

In my part of the salt world it is big fish offshore (boat neeed) and some smaller fish in the surf. Whether offshore or in the surf it is sand eels that are doing the catching

Johnw wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 24, 2024 9:30 am

In my opinion, the striper season has got off to a slow start. Reports of the large, migrating fish are just starting where some years they arrive in early to mid September. Water still a warm 63 degrees here in Monmouth County

46er wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 19, 2025 12:02 am

I found the most reliable spots are where creeks and rivers enter the bay. For the Toms, north or south shore, that would be the Huddy Park area and any stream that enters the Toms downstream of there, quite a few places to select from. Best bait is grass shrimp if you can find it; I use UL with spinners, spoons and small flatfish, all no barb single hook.

martalus wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 18, 2025 3:21 pm

I asked chatgpt where to find white perch in the winter in the Toms river-here is the response that tracks with what your club said about the salt/fresh water transition:

White perch (Morone americana) are relatively hardy fish that can tolerate colder water, so in winter they tend to move to areas of Toms River where conditions are more stable and food is available. Based on general patterns for estuarine rivers in New Jersey:

Deeper channels: White perch often congregate in the deeper main river channels where the water is slightly warmer and more stable than shallow flats. Look near the navigational channels of Toms River.

Slow-moving or backwater areas: They can also be found in slower-moving coves, backwaters, and near structures like submerged logs, bridge pilings, or docks.

Mouth of tributaries and tidal pools: Areas where smaller streams enter the river may concentrate baitfish, attracting white perch.

Near salinity transitions: Toms River is tidal, so white perch often hold where freshwater and brackish water mix, especially near the lower sections closer to Barnegat Bay.

In winter, water temperatures drop, and white perch become less active, usually staying near the bottom in deeper or sheltered spots rather than feeding aggressively in open water. Fishing tends to be better with bait that is presented near the river bottom, like minnows, worms, or small jigs.

robtf wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 21, 2025 6:35 pm

Yes over winter guys have just mentioned looking for them in their “wintering holes”. Some of the guys know these creeks like the back of their hand. The old “Collin’s cove” used to be a go to spot for shore bound ice fishing, back when such winters happened.