New Angler! Need help! Bergen County Area

[minion]

Hey guys,

Did not know such forum existed! I'm excited to be a part of this community as fishing isn't exactly what I thought it'd be...(cast in and catch one after another...NOPE).

So I got into fishing and I've been do nearby ponds in the area and haven't caught any bass yet...I got some crankbaits, swimmer baits, spinner bait (didn't try yet), 'senkos', etc. I watch some of the youtubers and try their techniques but no luck. Only caught perches and one bluegill the size of my palm.

2 QUESTIONS!

1. Where are some nearby lakes and rivers that are fun to fish? (I live near saddle river, but it's really really shallow so i doubt any bass live there.)

2. Which water bodies are clean enough to eat my catches? (I want to try each fish at least once lol)

 

THANKS GUYS!!

[minion]

bumpppp

[Darren.]

Can't help with your questions since I don't live there...

But welcome to the forums. If fishing was about cast and
there's a fish, it'd be called "catching"...  

[minion]

Just now, Darren. said:

Can't help with your questions since I don't live there...

But welcome to the forums. If fishing was about cast and
there's a fish, it'd be called "catching"...  

thanks for the welcome! and yes, i quickly found out it wasn't 'catching' haha guess my childhood memories of catching fish was a positive one 

[YoTone]

my suggestion is to look on google maps and look for blue things.

that or try an app called fish brain which is like face book but for anglers in your local vicinity. it will show which bodies of water they caught them from and which lures they use. its helped me a lot.

good luck.

 

[GORDO]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful sport. I would try to talk to people at your local tackle stores for a little input and do not mention you plan to eat some of the bass you catch, not a lot of people are going to give you informaiton if you tell them  youre trying to eat the fish lol also, youtube is fantastic to learn new techniques but take everything with a gran of salt with them. It doesn't always apply to your specific area. Nothing beats research and time on the water. I would detail your conditions (water clarity, temp, cover/structure, and weather patterns) and take it from there. If youre in NY I would ask questions directly relating to your state.

 

[minion]

2 hours ago, GORDO said:

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful sport. I would try to talk to people at your local tackle stores for a little input and do not mention you plan to eat some of the bass you catch, not a lot of people are going to give you informaiton if you tell them  youre trying to eat the fish lol also, youtube is fantastic to learn new techniques but take everything with a gran of salt with them. It doesn't always apply to your specific area. Nothing beats research and time on the water. I would detail your conditions (water clarity, temp, cover/structure, and weather patterns) and take it from there. If youre in NY I would ask questions directly relating to your state.

 

Yeah...so I don't see many people catching and eating bass...I mean I've heard that it's pretty bad, but one of my friends tell me it tastes just like fluke/flounder. But I'm open to trying things at least once. And why is it that people are open for trout eating and no bass eating??

Yes, I'm trying to find more information on conditions and when to throw what...because I literally have no clue. Different sources tell me different things and I'm thinking of donating to 1rod1reel on youtube where he has all that information laid out for donators.

[jr231]

When eating fish, it truly depends about 75% on how it was prepared. I've had bass in a spicy cracker type breading that would blow your doors off. Definitely don't go by what people tell you when it comes to food. 

Wish you luck finding some water. If you don't have kids nows the time to get you a boat or kayak lol. Not that you can't do it with a child but I've found it much harder to A)afford it , b]  have the time to do so. 

Ask your friends , relatives , anybody you know. Or find a river and do some hiking. I think you received some good information above. 

 

[GORDO]

20 hours ago, minion said:

Yeah...so I don't see many people catching and eating bass...I mean I've heard that it's pretty bad, but one of my friends tell me it tastes just like fluke/flounder. But I'm open to trying things at least once. And why is it that people are open for trout eating and no bass eating??

Yes, I'm trying to find more information on conditions and when to throw what...because I literally have no clue. Different sources tell me different things and I'm thinking of donating to 1rod1reel on youtube where he has all that information laid out for donators.

The thing about trout is that they are usually stocked to replace the eating size. People mainly fish bass for the thrill of outsmarting a predator into biting a lure. The other problem with eating bass is that people usually keep the big bass and throw the little ones back which is problematic for the gene pool. The small bass are the good ones to eat anyways. I dont care if you eat bass at all but there are A LOT of people out there who do not share the same view, especially in a spot that they told you about lol 

Regardless, I would talk to locals and get their input on what works in your waters. You have you have caught bluegill, thats always a good thing since largies eat those. Dont go blowing your money on technique specific sets ups either. Get online and search what lakes your local bass clubs are fishing and then you will know what lakes are a productive. You can always look up guides and see if any of them are willing to speak with you as well. 

 

 

[minion]

On 10/5/2016 at 9:28 AM, Yeajray231 said:

When eating fish, it truly depends about 75% on how it was prepared. I've had bass in a spicy cracker type breading that would blow your doors off. Definitely don't go by what people tell you when it comes to food. 

Wish you luck finding some water. If you don't have kids nows the time to get you a boat or kayak lol. Not that you can't do it with a child but I've found it much harder to A)afford it , b]  have the time to do so. 

Ask your friends , relatives , anybody you know. Or find a river and do some hiking. I think you received some good information above. 

 

I'd love to have a kayak or a boat, but no money to spend yet as I am getting ready to apply to grad school (i shouldn't really be fishing, but I gots to relieve stress somehow!). But yeah, I'm starting to really appreciate this community!

On 10/5/2016 at 3:33 PM, GORDO said:

The thing about trout is that they are usually stocked to replace the eating size. People mainly fish bass for the thrill of outsmarting a predator into biting a lure. The other problem with eating bass is that people usually keep the big bass and throw the little ones back which is problematic for the gene pool. The small bass are the good ones to eat anyways. I dont care if you eat bass at all but there are A LOT of people out there who do not share the same view, especially in a spot that they told you about lol 

Regardless, I would talk to locals and get their input on what works in your waters. You have you have caught bluegill, thats always a good thing since largies eat those. Dont go blowing your money on technique specific sets ups either. Get online and search what lakes your local bass clubs are fishing and then you will know what lakes are a productive. You can always look up guides and see if any of them are willing to speak with you as well. 

 

 

I see, well I'm totally for just catch and release since I don't really want to take the time to clean fish and bringing fish smell into my car. But yeah, i understand people who would be against it since it is also a sport and what fun would it be if you can't actually DO the sport, right?

I've been chatting up some people who fish where I've been and some ppl are just 'shhh, im fishing' type and some others are more open and friendly, but that's everywhere. I don't have the money to buy CRAZY set ups so for now, craigslist is my friend haha. Thanks for the advice on the local bass clubs tho! That should really help. Probably just going make the drive to go to a big stocked lake this weekend since i'm sick of getting skunked in ponds within a 15 minute drive haha. If I get skunked there...maybe I should just stop...

[jr231]

If you know or have access to a private pond. Harvesting IS NECESSARY for a healthy pond. Or else you get stuck with an overpopulated pond with a bunch of skinny, stunted bass. 

^ this is the only time I eat bass. Because I have access to three ponds that don't get any harvesting. And it is very necessary. And I wouldn't ever just throw them on the bank or in the woods.. even though the birds or critters would get to them and they would not go to waste... I just wouldn't treat something I care about like that. So. down the hatch they go . The funny thing is I'm the only one who fishes in my immediate family.. and like eating fish the least. 

Also the "ponds " you are fishing.. are they public state parks ? Or farm ponds..because there is a big difference. 

I got a kayak from a flea market for 75 bucks. Mounted a 5 dollar rod holder and it was all set. 

So eat the value menu for a couple weeks instead of going to chipotle or Penn station and you'll find that kayak money very quickly (; 

[minion]

17 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

If you know or have access to a private pond. Harvesting IS NECESSARY for a healthy pond. Or else you get stuck with an overpopulated pond with a bunch of skinny, stunted bass. 

^ this is the only time I eat bass. Because I have access to three ponds that don't get any harvesting. And it is very necessary. And I wouldn't ever just throw them on the bank or in the woods.. even though the birds or critters would get to them and they would not go to waste... I just wouldn't treat something I care about like that. So. down the hatch they go . The funny thing is I'm the only one who fishes in my immediate family.. and like eating fish the least. 

Also the "ponds " you are fishing.. are they public state parks ? Or farm ponds..because there is a big difference. 

I got a kayak from a flea market for 75 bucks. Mounted a 5 dollar rod holder and it was all set. 

So eat the value menu for a couple weeks instead of going to chipotle or Penn station and you'll find that kayak money very quickly (; 

I will look around for that kayak deal! although, my small sedan won't be able to carry it without buying the add-ons for the roof. thanks for the tip!