Gone Fishin': Salt and fresh

Reader Rob Torissi has been busy. He sent in two pictures of fish he caught since the last column. First was the 20-pound striped bass he trolled up on a green bunker spoon in Raritan Bay. The other was the pretty rainbow trout he lured in on the South Branch of the Raritan River.

I've also attached a shot of a 19-inch lake trout that I released back into Merrill Creek Reservoir. I was on the Gone Fishin' V with buddy Ron Bern and we only had two bites, but fortunately, we caught each one.

First was a 20-inch laker that took Ron's shiner at the bottom in over 85 feet of water. It threw up lots of little gammarus, the shrimp-like beings that inhabit the lake in great number.

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Then, fishing only 30 feet down in the same spot, my 19-incher took a shiner, too. Both fish, being out of season, were safely released to eat another day.

When we were near shore, we saw two guys fishing on anchor in 20 feet of water who had caught six bass on shiners, the rats. Five were smallies and the other was a largemouth. They said the fish went from 13 to 20 inches.

Merrill Creek is down a bit due to drought, but worse yet is Spruce Run Reservoir, and as for Round Valley, here too, it's low! In fact, the state is holding a meeting on Nov. 14 at North Hunterdon High School at 6:30 p. m. to discuss the plan they have to try to fix some of the problems that have ocurred at "The Valley." I hope to have a report for you next time.

Up at Lake Hopatcong, Dow's Boat Rentals said they will have rental boats in the water through much of November, with live bait available. The action continues to be quite good for panfish, with yellow and white perch, along with sunfish and crappie, being caught in good numbers inshore.

Customer Bob Smith recently caught a hybrid bass that went close to 7 pounds as well as a chain pickerel that went better than 4. Walleye are biting, too, and if the day is dark, you don't have to go out and do business in the night to catch some of the best eating fish around.

Down the shore, striped bass have made their move down the coast from New England and are biting well, both off the beach, as well as via private, party and charter boats. This is the time to get that striper; some are going well over 40 pounds!

Never go offshore without a few live eels because that is usually the top bait you can use, but guys are also doing business on live mossbunker. Just have a rod rigged with one or two treble hooks, loose on top and weighted on the bottom one, or just use the single weighted treble.

Some guys hit a bunker and then just let it swim below. I prefer to reel it in and single-hook and allow it to drift in the current. Either way, you'll know it if a striped bass takes your bunker because they get mean quickly!

However, if a big bluefish took it, generally speaking, all you come up with is half a bunker because the blues will chop their food in half instantly, unless they happen to hit near the hook.

Offshore, sea bass season is open and loads of these great-eating fish are being caught on local wrecks. The further offshore the boat sails, generally speaking, the bigger the sea bass. And in deeper water, some winter flounder and ling are also being boated, along with a cod or two.

Way further out, on the various deeper spots, tuna of a wide variety are pleasing anglers as well as a load of dolphin, (mahi-mahi), and when the occasion is right (a light drift, usually) anglers are deep-dropping two hook rigs held down with a pound to four pounds of lead and catching blueline and golden tile fish.

So, salt or fresh, it is fishing season, so go out and get yourself some critters, and don't forget to take a few pictures and details to send to me at mannyfishing@msn.com.

Scuze me, gone fishin'.