[6to8ftSeas]

Friend of mine just bought a canoe. We used it once upstate canoeing down the delaware. Next we want to try fishing nissequogue river, but I have no idea what I'm doing

I have kayaked down the niss a couple times. It was one of those trips were you start at the drop site by the smithtown bull and end at the boat ramps. I have a motorboat and I fish a lot, just never fished from a small boat in saltwater before.

So, what is the best plan of attack?

1- were is the best place to drop in and pull it out? And are there fee's and permits needed?

2- how do you work with the tides? should we be conscious of the tides so that we are not fighting the current the whole time, or unable to make it back.

3- how far in can you fish for stripers and blues? I would assume the water turns brackish and then fresh, I know stripers can live in fresh water but I would imagine these fish only go so far.

4- and any other helpful hits that anyone can think of would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[PaddleOn]

We need Noreast member Wader to answer this one

He fishes from a canoe on this river and has a beautifull setup for fishing.

Paging Mr. Wader...

 

[rpsurf5]

<<"I have no idea what Im doing">>

This quote by you scares me a bit. I hope you are fully prepared for being out on the water. Safety should be your number one concern and if you have limited experience, you might not want to do a trip like this. That river is not a place for people with limited experience.

Search through this forum, there is alot of great safety advice here, until you are fully prepared to be on the water, you should think twice about going out. PFD's , self rescue , etc , etc amongst alot of other things you should be fully versed in.

John

 

[wahoolust]

that currant is fast plan your trip with the tides, If you get blown out into the salt you are supposed to have all the safty equmint that boats have also reg #

 

[6to8ftSeas]

rpsurf5 wrote:
<<"I have no idea what Im doing">>

This quote by you scares me a bit. I hope you are fully prepared for being out on the water. Safety should be your number one concern and if you have limited experience, you might not want to do a trip like this. That river is not a place for people with limited experience.

Search through this forum, there is alot of great safety advice here, until you are fully prepared to be on the water, you should think twice about going out. PFD's , self rescue , etc , etc amongst alot of other things you should be fully versed in.

John

Thanks for looking out John I have a boat and I'm not new to the water. I have all the basic safe boating gear. My friend mike and I have both canoed since we were kids. We're both strong and knowledgeable paddlers. I will continue to search through the threads for more info on saftey ect. Can't be too prepared right

My questions are more along the lines of were to drop the canoe in the water and how most people work with the tides. I like to go out with a solid game plan.

I know the current there can be strong, that's why I'm trying to figure this out before hand. I was thinking maybe to fish high tide so that we can ride the tide in, fish the high tide, then ride the tide back out or at least paddle back through slack water. Is this common practice?

Oh, and what's the name of that park were the ramps are?

This post edited by 6to8ftSeas 07:50 PM 09/19/2008

 

[CanoeCrew]

Sorry to say i dont know the area your trying to put in at. A small stream, lake or back bay is alot diffrent than a fast moveing river. Just remember to paddle on your knees if things get hairy. I think you boys will be fine.

 

[BigShow]

Easy done

Launch across from the Bull Parking and drop off Free. If you Paddle up river Fresh water you will find the best fishing inside the park Trout by the falls like a big fat earth worm best bet,Cast up and let it roll over the falls......pretty site in park too!

Also Bass, Catfish,and Carp. Bottom is lottered with fresh water clams which make good Bait

I usually fish the tide out going ...to paddle back against the current can be done but it's work in the canoe and as the tide go's out so does the water so be prepared to walk the Canoe back some at low spots.

Best to leave a drop off car by the kings park ramp amd drive back to other launch site by the Bull......Plan your tide. May still be a portage canoe/kayak shop if still open to ferry your Canoe back for a fee. Glacier Bay? I don't know if they still do that river still.

River opens up Brackish Salt water great striper action mixed with Blues, only precation is the current around ramp... waves stronge current and Boat traffic. Most boats don't go into the River section much....but there is plenty of water for all. Stalk the shallows, and watch for action. I have done this trip many time with the Kids it's no problem but I would rather drift to the sound fishing and Drive back to get the truck with a second car....But you could paddle it's just some excercise and a little work. but do=able if you have to. Go get a mixed bag!

 

[wader]

6 to 8

First off you?re going to need:
A trolling motor (freshwater 55 pound thrust recommended)
&
Anchoring system (I wrap it off on a cleat mounted on the sidewall of the canoe in the rear & run it up front through the handle in the bow so it drops off easily when I release it sitting in the rear. I pull it up the same way wrapping it around the cleat)

I don?t care how strong a paddler you maybe ? the River has a killer of a current.
This results in three things:
1. always having to plan your outing with the tides/current ? this limits when & where you can fish
2. you?ll spend your whole trip paddling instead of fishing ? most times very hard. Doesn?t make for a very enjoyable outing.
3. if you hook up ? the current is going to take you places you definitely don?t want to go while you fight the fish. If I?m trolling ? I drop the anchor immediately which leaves me free to fight the fish without having to worry where the river is taking me. Having the anchor also allows you to set up in an area you want to target

Recommended equipment:
Canoe Stabilizers ? you can see them in Canoecrew?s post above. There are cheaper versions. this is what I'm using His are probably the best and also available from Cabela?s.
These will allow you to get up & walk around the canoe or simply stand up to fight a fish. There are good size bass & occasionally killer blues in the Nissy. You definitely want the ability to stand to take them on.

PFD ? the stabilizers will keep the canoe from flipping but while it reduces the rocking ? it will still rock & you can lose your balance & end up overboard. While the River doesn?t get very deep (15 feet in spots) with the current & 6 foot of water you very easily can get into trouble.
I use these

Never mind that the Bay Constable occasionally visits the River & you are going to get ticketed if you don?t have some sort of preserver.

Cleats, stringers & suction cup pouches
Cleats & pouches to keep your various ?stuff? out of the middle of the canoe so your not littering the center of the canoe. I picked up three suction cup mesh pouches from Pro Bass Shops. They stick to the inside walls of the canoe & hold my radio, 3 small tackle boxes & all sorts of stuff I use. The cleats are also good for dangling your chum pot over the side & floating your bait bucket.
Stringers ? to hold any bass I?m keeping. Not a lot of room in a canoe & having a decent size fish flopping around inside the boat can get in the way. I tie these off to the cleats.

Lights ? bow, stern & under the bench. If you?re planning any night fishing (which I do 90% of the time) they are a must have. My bow & stern lights are powered by these
I use three of them for the bow & stern & the fish finder

I use three of them for the bow & stern & the fish finder

Rod Holders ? well just because (I have 7)

As far as putting in ? check you PM's.

PM me (which I think you already did) if you have any other questions. If you live in the area I?d be happy to show you how I am set up.

The River is great for small craft fishing as long as you?re careful. It?s not as placid as most would think.

wader (Larry)

This post edited by wader 07:40 PM 09/21/2008

 

[6to8ftSeas]

Wader

Wow! That sounds like quite a set up you have there.

Thanks to all for your in depth replies. you've really helped to paint a good picture as to what I can expect and how to prepare for it.

I'll probably try to take a ride over there some time this week to scout things out, check the drop spots and observe the current etc.

Thanks again for the help guys

 

[CanoeCrew]

Outriggers make a huge diffrence!

http://www.canoeoutriggers.com

 

[tiderunner70]

wrote:
How do I fish the Nissequague from a canoe?

right side up?

 

[Hooper]

Lots of good info already posted. Here's another possibility. You could check out the NYS Parks Kayak Launch at Sunken Meadow which is into a creek that runs right into the mouth of the river. Park fees vary seasonally and with the day of the week. Maybe just weekends now. They will also give you a free parking permit for the far eastern field closest to the launch.

The main issue on this river is the tidal current which, due to a tidal range that can reach 9 feet, is at times impossible to navigate. It really rips and you can encounter very dangerous conditions. The Sunken Meadow launch is best an hour before high. You can fish the high slack for a while and catch the beginning of the drop back to the launch but don't wait too long or the current might send you right out into the Sound. The launch is a sea of mud at low so the same tactic at low slack is not such a good idea.

The launch at the Kings Park bluff is a better choice but may be limited to Town residents. At this time of year it may not being enforced.

Hooper

 

[wader]

hooper wrote:
The launch at the Kings Park bluff is a better choice but may be limited to Town residents. At this time of year it may not being enforced.

The current is strongest at the mouth. Get caught in that & "it's Bridgeport here I come". The mouth is also a long way from the better fishing spots on the River.

Yachet Club/Marina/State Park is better but permits are needed during the season & it's not easy launching anything but your basic canoe or kayak. If you have it "tricked out" it will be difficult.

I already gave 6to8 the best launching site by way of a PM.

This post edited by wader 03:00 PM 09/22/2008