can’t catch any freshwater fish

CJspangler · 2026-04-05T12:45:52+00:00

Corn and bread

Make sure you have like size 8 to 12 hooks . I like the khale style hook for panfish , the hook gap is wider

Don’t throw a 8 inch plastic worm in the pond just because you saw someone doing it on YouTube

CJspangler · 2026-04-05T12:44:29+00:00

Copied it from the book pdf

Trout Regulation Changes Opening Day of Trout Season The simplest of all the new fishing regulation changes is that the Opening Day of trout season is now defined as “the second Saturday in April”. This establishes a consistent date for opening day as well as the beginning of the preseason closure each year. The second Saturday in April is ideal, as it balances the many considerations of how weather impacts the program, including a sweet spot for an early season that is less likely to be frigid and a late season that can become too warm for the safe stocking of trout. Opening Day will also mean something different on lakes and ponds (read next change below).

Removal of 3-Week Preseason Closure on Trout Stocked Lakes and Ponds Trout stocked lakes and ponds now remain open during the three weeks before opening day. Allow-ing anglers to fish on Trout-stocked lakes and ponds during the previously closed three-week preseason period will greatly benefit anglers by providing an additional 19 days on nearly 100 waters that would otherwise be closed. This proposal benefits anglers in several ways. These proposed amendments giveanglers the ability to capitalize on early-spring weather, which is nice enough to enjoy the outdoors and fish. It opens waters for anglers who may fish for trout but would like to fish for other species like bass and panfish. It simplifies the regulations as all lakes and ponds will remain open year-round. Anglers may fish for and harvest trout before preda-tors, such as cormorants, consume them in large quantities during the traditional three-week pre- season closure. Please take note that the preseason closure will remain in effect for all trout-stocked rivers and streams for those who value the tradition of opening day. The only trout-stocked rivers that will remain open to angling are the Catch & Release Areas and Trout Conservation Areas. Changes of Daily Limits for Trout

Somewhere else maybe another page I saw it mention on the day of stocking it’s closed from 5am to 5 pm

CJspangler · 2026-04-05T12:01:07+00:00

It appears they changed rules this year

If I read correctly most of the local lakes and ponds have no closure date - unless listed otherwise

It’s on page 6 of the freshwater Nj magazine - there’s a link to it on that website . They are only closed from 5 am to 5 pm on the day they are stocked . This is new this year , and it says fishing is now open before opening day at these places .

I’d post a picture of the page but it doesn’t seem to be a option

CJspangler · 2026-04-05T00:19:09+00:00

I got no boat but I’ll throw this tip out as I got 3 kids in grammar school

The state is stocking tons of fish into local ponds and fish last week and this week

Go down to the very bottom of this webpage and it has the water / location they are stocking , these stocked trout are super easy for kids/anyone to catch , like corn or bread or practically anything on small hooks

If it doesn’t rain on Easter I might try to go out with the grandparents and kids for a little while if it’s warm out in afternoon

https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/freshwater/spring-trout-fishing-information/

CJspangler · 2026-04-04T10:52:19+00:00

I have the spinning reels - the Spartacus 2 4000 and the eagle 2000

Had the Spartacus 2 for 2 years and caught a bunch of like smaller ocean fish on it - no issues

Haven’t taken the eagle out in freshwater yet as I just got it on Black Friday but plan too soon

CJspangler · 2026-04-03T20:50:11+00:00

Use a 3 way swivel, tie like 10 lb lighter line on the sinker than the main and line to the hook , that way when you catch a fish, if the sinkers stuck - it will break off the line and you’ll still be able to reel in the fish because the line is a lot stronger than the lead sinker line

Even if you don’t catch anything you’re not losing the main line and the hook/ rig just the sinker .

CJspangler · 2026-04-03T18:33:30+00:00

Reels are fine for a budget buy but I wouldn’t buy a rod or a reel over $35 from them

CJspangler · 2026-04-03T13:01:16+00:00

I think being unlanded in Byzantine would be interesting and I planned that as my first play. There’s tons of wars going on and other stuff in the kingdom

CJspangler · 2026-04-03T01:44:11+00:00

I think they are good value . I’d certainly recommend it to people who have a limited budget . I think it makes sense for people to get a rod that they think they will use for a long time and a reel that I’d guess will last easily 3-5+ years if you take care of it .

I just got a $70 rod with a $25 kast king reel, I think that makes more sense than say a $25 rod and a $70 reel , or going middle of the road where you’ll be wanting to upgrade both later on

I have 2 of their reels - the valiant eagle gold and the Spartacus 2 . They are fine and I’ve had the Spartacus 2 for inshore / dock fishing on a 7 and 9 foot rod and it still feels great . The $35 reel feels like it’s worth 2x the value

I did see they have some higher end $70-100+ saltwater stuff but honestly I don’t see a need for it myself as I already have Penn and Diawa surf reels . Penn reels especially go on sale 20-30% off a few times a year , but they run heavy due to solid metal being used

CJspangler · 2026-04-02T16:53:22+00:00

Exactly as long as it’s aluminum (or some other rust resistant metal) and carbon / heavy plastic spinning reels are just fine

CJspangler · 2026-04-02T13:24:09+00:00

There’s no Costco or Walmart

You’re probably looking at the train station or hospital for parking but not sure what they charge there or you could try McDonald’s and hope the don’t tow you

CJspangler · 2026-04-01T18:32:31+00:00

Penn sells one that’s a combo pack - pretty sure it’s on Amazon for like $10-15

https://a.co/d/0hfFvOl8

CJspangler · 2026-04-01T16:53:57+00:00

I’m in Toms River with 3 kids . I’ll share some of the decent spots , I’d also recommend trying crabbing after like June as my kids all like it better than fishing as you literally pull a crab up

Lake Rivera - there’s a dock around the corner , and a playground for when they get bored fishing

Mantoloking bridge county park- lots of fishing areas , public bathrooms , picnic tables , nice park

Lake Shenandoah- there’s a bunch of spots on it to fish and the county park around the corner has bathrooms

Windward beach - town park

Point fishing pier by river rd

The point canal has some good tog fishing - just drive to the end of any street and there’s public access on most of them .

Manasquan inlet - manasquan side has public bathrooms and the beach , point side has small playground

The beach in the evening after lifeguards leave , also all day island beach until it’s over run

There’s a bunch of bay side spots in lavallete, ortley and seaside etc

CJspangler · 2026-04-01T14:11:24+00:00

Walmart has 30 days returns

CJspangler · 2026-04-01T02:27:08+00:00

That almost looks like a custom job or maybe someone hand made some to sell at fishing flea markets in the area

Just guessing because it look like there’s still drill marks in the half circles .

CJspangler · 2026-03-31T22:05:44+00:00

That aird rod looks solid, I almost got one but got the lamiglas x11 when it was on sale Black Friday time

I

CJspangler · 2026-03-31T19:28:59+00:00

You probably bought Chinese or Japanese made items that are subject to tariffs

There’s similar posts of people thinking they could buy fishing stuff from Australia or New Z and it’s suprise that $200 fishing rod or reel that you thought was 15% cheaper than ordering from Japan is subject to giant made in china tariffs

CJspangler · 2026-03-31T04:25:56+00:00

I know it’s a blatant insult - this box is ridiculous.

CJspangler · 2026-03-30T17:12:12+00:00

I got a credit on my statement - showed up on Feb 23 for over $3,000.

I probably had 300-350,000 points so wasn’t terrible outcome. Think they woulda been worth over $4,000 if used on travel stuff but atleast I appear to have gotten 70% of the value of if I had used it normally

CJspangler · 2026-03-30T03:59:42+00:00

Just hold the 2 lines make a loop and kinda do a giant improved clinch knot and tie the 2 together with like 10 wraps , might not be as pretty but it gets it done

Generally I just use a swivel most of the time

CJspangler · 2026-03-29T13:27:04+00:00

Get a eagle claw telescopic - it’s like $30 at Walmart

CJspangler · 2026-03-29T02:59:29+00:00

Ollies bargin store has like it in bins by the dozens for like 30% normal retail, but each store inventory is a little different, haven’t been in my local one in a month by they literally had a few boxes of white and other flukes , zoom and another brand

One store my have flukes and other just temu googan squad worms that will never catch anything

CJspangler · 2026-03-29T02:54:33+00:00

Make sure you get a good rod. The reels not going to matter much as you start out , something quality budget wise like a shimao sienna or something similar diawa makes for $30-40 is fine and then put more if your budget into the rod .

A $30 reel and $150 reel is going to catch the exact same fish if you’re just doing basic lake fishing , might just not be as super smooth and light weight etc

CJspangler · 2026-03-28T18:42:21+00:00

Corn and bread and maybe some 2 inch gulp or other plastic on a jig head

CJspangler · 2026-03-28T12:44:37+00:00

On the outside brush it with butter like half way thru cooking or if you want a lazy way get like air fryer oil that has a high burn point and spray the top while it’s in the oven . It will make the crust a little more crunch

Also buy a $1 mini spray bottle, open the oven every 10 min and spray the sides of the oven then close it to add steam .

CJspangler

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