[657077]

Hi all,

First post.

I grew up doing a lot of freshwater and shoreline fishing, but I've lived in New York City for the past 7 years, and haven't been able to fish much at all. I'd like to change that this summer.

So I've got a few questions before I get back in the game, and I'm hoping some people on this board might have some helpful information.

First off, does anyone have any recommendations on places to fish in the area? I know of Stuyvesant Cove and Battery Park, but I've also seen some surfcasting out at Rockaway Beach in Queens. I currently live in Brooklyn, and I don't have a car, so any beach spots that are accessible by subway would be greatly appreciated.

Second, I've always been more of a casual fisherman, so I'm not looking for top-of-the-line gear, but any suggestions on decent equipment that can be used for a variety of fish? I figure I'll be trying for fluke, striped bass and bluefish. Looking for a size or brand of rod that I can fish from shore with, and also wondering what kind of tackle would be best (most of my saltwater fishing was for flounder and snappers back in the day).

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[crabman1130]

Hi Scratch and welcome to Noreast.

I know you said you're a shore fisherman, but if you want to hop on a party boat you could try Howard Beach. You can take the "A" train to Rockaway Blvd and get the "Q21" bus to Howard Beach.
The Angler and Capt Mike both sail from there.

 

[mzxeternal]

You might want to check out nycfishing.com, they are 100% devoted to fishing within the city that is accesible via Mass Transit.

In addition, there's pleanty of good fishing spots on Long Island you can get to by LIRR/Bus. Last year LIRR had a getaway package to captree with full travel/bus and party boat at Captree for about the same price it would cost to board the boat normally (so the LIRR fare and bus is pretty much free). I wouldn't be surprised if they do it again this year.

 

[JC30967]

NYC fishing

Like Crabman said, you can take mass transit to one of the city's partyboats if you want to try boat fishing. I know you can access Sheepshead Bay via subway, not sure what line though.

mzxeternal mentioned that package to Captree the LIRR offers in summer, I've wondered how many city residents take advantage of that, it definately is a good deal. Mabey the Bay owners could try to work out a similar deal with NYC Transit, that may be one way to increase the number of fares that many partyboats so desperately need these days.

 

[mzxeternal]

JC30967 wrote:
Like Crabman said, you can take mass transit to one of the city's partyboats if you want to try boat fishing. I know you can access Sheepshead Bay via subway, not sure what line though.

mzxeternal mentioned that package to Captree the LIRR offers in summer, I've wondered how many city residents take advantage of that, it definately is a good deal. Mabey the Bay owners could try to work out a similar deal with NYC Transit, that may be one way to increase the number of fares that many partyboats so desperately need these days.


Yeah they should do more deals like that. I'm surprised they don't team up with one or a few of the boats out of Sheepshead or Howard Beech and do a Metrocard deal or something (present your metrocard, get $5 off or something like that).

But the captree deal last year was a really good value, I didn't get a chance to take advantage of it but hopefully they'll bring it back again this year.

And the train to Sheepshead bay is the Q/F. I believe the boats are in walking distance. As far as the guys in Howard Beach, I think they're a quick ride on the Q21/11? bus from Rockaway Blvd on the A.

 

[JC30967]

You're right, it's worth a shot. Everyone wins, the boats & MTA potentially increase the # of fares, and City residents who don't own vehicles can access fishing opportunities not available via shore.

 

[mzxeternal]

JC30967 wrote:
You're right, it's worth a shot. Everyone wins, the boats & MTA potentially increase the # of fares, and City residents who don't own vehicles can access fishing opportunities not available via shore.

Yep, and especially if they give us a bad Fluke season, the party boats are going to need all the help they can get. I think just having a deal with the MTA with those little banners on the subway or busses would help in a big way. I'm sure they sell thousands of those Rye Playland Metro North deals, or the LI Beach Getaways thanks to those little banners. There's thousands of people in this city that would love to spend the day fishing but they don't have clue 1 on how to do it, or think they need tackle, equipment and know how. Meanwhile, the party boat is the best Fishing 101 course you could get, and generally is an affordable excursion a few times a month for the average joe. For a lot of people, they only need to take the chance once to get hooked, and deals like this will bring in a lot of first timers, and many who may pick up the sport for life.

More exposure to fishing, more anglers and more voices opposing overly restrictive regs.

 

[krafty1]

Scratch,
If you take the Q or the B(weekdays only) to Sheepshead Bay Rd. it will leave you a 5 minute walk to all the Party Boats in brooklyn. There are a bunch to choose from my personal favorite is the Ocean Eagle a great family owned boat. All the boats are reasonably priced and can use the business. There is a boat for just about any type of fishing that you like.

 

[Blazetoy]

Scratch,

Definately try the Sheepshead Bay boats. Ocean Eagle or Marilyn Jean - great boats to fish on.

 

[6to8ftSeas]

gear

If you are looking to do some shore fishing I would say go with a 9' Ugly Stick. Its a two piece rod (which I'm not a fan of but is good for transit). Also the Ugly Sticks are a very durable rod, you don't have to worry about someone bumping into you on a train and breaking your rod. It's lite enough for fluke but strong enough to stop a cow striper dead in its tracks. I've cast everything from one ounce bucktails to 8 ounce sinkers with mine. Only about $65 bucks too. It matches well with a penn 105c $40 or a shimano sedona $50.

If you get serious about hitting the party boats you will probably want to get a boat rod as well, but they do have rods if you want to hold off on that one. They usually suck though

Good luck

 

[ReelTime]

Scratch and Win

What section of Brooklyn are you in?
There are a lot of spots to fish from almost all around the whole place. From a pier in Red Hook, the 69th Street pier in Bay Ridge, all along the bike path in Bay Ridge to under the Verrazano Bridge, out to Kohl's / Toys R Us, along Graves End Bay, all along from Sea Gate to Coney Island Beaches to the end of Sheepshead Bay, into Gerritsen Creek, alng the shore to the Marine Parkway Bridge, Floyd Bennett Field out to the Canarsie Pier. Driveable, bikeable, maybe walkable, or mass transit. There's stuff happening around there at one time or other.

What spot's good when? Check in the site here or go to the local bait and tackle shops along the way ... and buy stuff there. Maybe you will pay a little more here and there but you will meet good people, get a little knowledge and keep a local business going ... and you will have a better time all around. In other words, all the goodies you can get at Walmart or Modell's a little cheaper won't provide a good time if you're casting into dead water or just feeding the crabs.

My 2c.

vk

 

[657077]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the great advice. I'll definitely look into the LI party boats (I grew up on the north shore).

In the short term, I'd like to get my feet wet (so to speak) at the local spots, and the Brooklyn areas sound great. Looks like I'll just need to do some exploring.

A couple of other questions - do I need a license, and if so, for what kinds of spots? I've heard you don't need one unless you're at a beach or park.

Also, any recommendations on tackle/bait shops, either in Brooklyn or Manhattan? Willing to spend a little extra to support local businesses and to get some really good advice.

 

[mudman]

in Sheepshead Bay there is either Stella Maris or Bernie's...both good

there is also Capitol in Manhattan (they moved from 23rd St..I think they are on 32nd St. now)

mudman

 

[629706]

FISHING BUDDIES.....

Hi Scratch....I'm surprised no one yet has recomended using the FISHING BUDDIES posts here on NorEast. Just go to Community on top of this page, then click on Fishing Buddies. There you'll find other fishermen and women looking to hook up. Some with boats who offer fishing from thier boats all you do is help with Gas costs or bait. Or some who don't like fishing in some spots alone or at night, but with the buddie system can help each other out. Check it out.

Jolly

 

[Learning2Tog]

mudman wrote:
there is also Capitol in Manhattan (they moved from 23rd St..I think they are on 32nd St. now)

Close.
Capitol Tackle 132 West 36th Street NY, NY 10018
ph: 212.929.6132

 

[dawnpatrol136]

All good advice given here Scratch. And btw welcome to NE.
You mentioned surfcasting in Rockaway Beach and being carless. You can take the Q35 Flatbush ave bus south all the way to the Rock. You will pass Floyd Bennett field and cross over Jamaica Bay on the Marine Park bridge. Your first stop on the peninsula is Riis Park. You can travel further East in Rockaway but you will have to switch busses at Q35's last stop: Beach 116st.
Rockaways surf is productive but so is JBay. Floyd Bennett has many spots.
I would even scout it out first, but like it's been said already - when you do bring a surfrod on a bus, make sure it's a 2 piece

Howard Beach and Sheepshead Party Boats also easy to get to from NYC. And no surfrod needed. LOL

 

[Queensfishing]

Scratch wrote:
Hi all,

Thanks for all the great advice. I'll definitely look into the LI party boats (I grew up on the north shore).

In the short term, I'd like to get my feet wet (so to speak) at the local spots, and the Brooklyn areas sound great. Looks like I'll just need to do some exploring.

A couple of other questions - do I need a license, and if so, for what kinds of spots? I've heard you don't need one unless you're at a beach or park.

Also, any recommendations on tackle/bait shops, either in Brooklyn or Manhattan? Willing to spend a little extra to support local businesses and to get some really good advice.


You can also take the A train to Broad channel, get off the subway and walk two blocks to Smitty's B&T Rose will hook you up with bait, tips on where to fish even a rental boat.

Also don't forget Staten Island. There is great fishing there off South Beach or Great Kills.