Rockaway Beach

[carpdoctor]

My mother-in-law lives in Rockaway beach and we r headed down there this Friday. I figured what the heck I might as well do a little fishing while I am there. My father-in-law has a boat but doesn't do much fishing. I have been reading Trav's reports and it seems like this area is a good place to fish. I would like some info on what to bring and general tactics. We will be coming down in the wifes car so I can't bring much gear, just the basics. I would maybe like to catch a few trout with some ultralight gear. I am sure my son would enjoy that. So, any info would be appreciated. I mostly catfish here so I don't really have any bass gear. I figured that I could just get the basics to trout fish without having to buy a lot of gear that I normally don't use.

Thanks

[Trav]

Im assuming you want to bait fish.

Nightcrawlers, powerbait, salmon eggs, they all pretty much get the same results. It is nice to try them all though. Try to find some flats in the main river. There is one big one just above Bull Creek and another down near Cedar Point. Just drop an anchor and fish your bait just off the bottom. I wouldnt suggest fishing on the bottom unless your using floating bait to keep your hooks of the bed. Marshmallows do a great job of doing that. Nothing but debris and sticks. Tons of snags!. As long as you keep you bait off the bottom you can avoid that hassle.

Hope this helps some.

Good luck to you.

[carpdoctor]

Thanks for the reply. I am going to assume 4 to 6 lb line # 6 or 8ish size hooks. Uh the marshmellow thing, I am not to clear on that. I assume u use a small splitshot 12 inches of leader then a hook. Where r u putting the marshmellow? Just above the hook or on the hook with the bait. Sorry I don't know anything about trout fishing. I normally fish with 30lb line 6 oz sinkers and 5" bluegill. This is new to me. I am sure the wife will want to go shopping with her family and I need something to do.

Thanks

[Trav]

I use 10 pound test for everything. Just my preferance.

Try a 1/2 oz bullet sinker held up about 18 inches above the hook by a split shot. The Marshmallow should be covering the eye of the hook allowing the whole hook to supply your choice of bait. The bullet shape should allow your rig to slide in the debris without hang ups. For the most part. Dont use egg sinkers. They wedge and you will go through alot of tackle.

[carpdoctor]

Is there a local tackle shop in Rockaway Beach? They r always a good place to get some advise and pickup gear and bait. R there boat slips available for rent at Rockaway? Just 3 or 4 day type rentals.

[Trav]

There is a good tackle store there on main street. Unfortunately there isnt a place to store your boat for a weekend. They are working on a city dock but it dont exist yet. There is a ramp so you can put in pretty easy.

[WebFreeman]

You can't go wrong w/ orange and chart. power bait either. One egg of each on a rig Trav described or a couple split shot, depending on current. I think lighter line that 10 will get your more bites, but you could always just do a leader if you don't want to respool. If you already have ultra light rigs from catching your bait, those would be perfect.

[bigredbirdfan]

Pink power eggs have always worked for me, but Lamar at Scotty's says bubble gum is getting the most action around B town.

A month ago I would have told you white and orange. Trout will eat lots of different bait though and nite crawlers will catch lots of fish.

[Trav]

I spent this evening pushing logs off my dock and watched a guy with his son(I presumed) and they were trolling. Never got away from the Rockaway area in front of my dock and watched them catch several.