The northeast including the shorelines of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island are rich with beaches and other rocky surfaces that provide perfect feeding grounds for predator fish. They also contain an abundance of the smaller fish that they love to eat. These areas are great for fishing – and the man-made structures that are found in these areas can turn an otherwise dull fishing experience into one you’ll never forget.
Jetties
Jetties are rock structures made by human hands that were built for a host of reasons. Rational reasons include curbing beach erosion, quelling storm surges, and creating a causeway leading into a river or salt pond. They are all good reasons, but the most important fact to a fisherman is that they all will hold fish at some point.
Baitfishes often spend their final moments of life up against the walls of these jetties. In fact, bluefish, striped bass, weakfish and false albacore love these areas simply because they are rife with turbulent waters that are fast moving. The baitfish become confused in these areas and turn out to be an easy meal for a hungry school of predators. One reason they are so close to the walls of the jetty is that the water is generally most turbulent in that area.
These jetties are also home to whelks, mussels, periwinkles, scup and tautog to set up housekeeping. These fish nestle into the jetty for the sole purpose of finding food and shelter and having the ability to feed on each other. The jetty allows shelter from larger predators as well which is an added benefit.
Like the neighboring beaches, it is often best to make plans to fish jetties as close to high tide as possible. In general, you will find that you have deeper water to work with at this time and fish will also have a tendency to be more focused. If your chosen jetty is part of a causeway leading into a river or pond, you will regularly find baitfish running from predators into the channel during the incoming tide and out of it on the outgoing tide.
Along the walls of the jetty you’ll find a rich supply of porgies and blackfish – they need not venture too far from the wall since what they need to survive is readily available to them. For you, this means a fertile fishing ground that allows you to use simple baits with very little weight and shorter casts. Blackfish and porgies are comfortable in the wall area as they feel secure knowing where their next meal is coming from.
One overlooked necessity in jetty fishing is safety equipment. While safety at all times should be a first consideration on every fishing trip, fishing a jetty means additional safety precautions you might not think about for shore fishing. As with any fishing, a personal flotation device is a must. Don’t try fishing without one at any time, but especially if you are fishing a jetty. Remember, these waters are extremely turbulent and you could turn an afternoon of fishing enjoyment into an afternoon of disaster without taking the proper precautions. If you are planning on jetty fishing you will want to invest in a pair of cleats. Algae and moss are rich on these rocky surfaces which remain wet almost the entire season. A misstep can easily cause a broken arm, a broken leg or a broken ankle or other more critical injuries. Common sense precautions can keep you safe during your fishing trip and the minor expenses involved in securing this gear can save your life.
If you have not had the opportunity to take advantage of these great grounds for beach and jetty fishing, you are missing out on a great trip. The shores of the northeast are rich in opportunities to have a memorable fishing trip whether it is with friends, family or all alone. The entire area allows for the best of beach and jetty fishing and a trip that will almost surely guarantee you a large catch.
There are many great types of reels to use when fishing from rocky shorelines, some of them include BG90 and Shimano Calcutta Reels
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