| New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife |
|
Since beginning the experimental Sea Run Brown Trout
Program in 1997, division biologists have anxiously awaited reports of angler
success. 
It
now appears the sea run brown trout fishery is very secretive in nature - reports
have been far fewer than anticipated, yet we're sure the fish are there and
are being caught. Staff in the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries believes there
is a core group of successful anglers who do not report their catches, fearing
an influx of other anglers. And we can understand their reluctance. However,
continuation of the program relies on anglers submitting reports
of their catches.
Sea run browns that have been reported are often of trophy size, ranging up to 32 inches in length. Sea runs are not easy to catch, but once an angler has a taste of the excitement these fish can generate at the end of their line they're not likely to give up their pursuit.
Most of the catches have occurred in the fall through the winter. However, these brown trout will return to the freshwater section of the Manasquan River at all times of year when the water is high from heavy rainfall. These brown trout don't migrate out to the ocean but seek out freshwater seeps in the lower river that provide brackish water of proper temperature and wait for such a pulse of freshwater to draw them to the upper river.
As fall and winter approach you can increase your chances of catching a sea-run brown trout by checking the Manasquan River gauge at Squankum Dam http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nj/nwis/dv/?site_no=01408000&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065 for a sharp increase in river discharge. Fish the river as it is dropping, becoming less muddy and approaching near normal levels.
Below is a table of reported catches, and below that are some tips for success.
|
Date |
Length |
Weight |
Released |
Tackle |
Location |
|
10/19/02 |
16" |
4 lb. |
yes |
chartreuse twister tail jig |
Parkway Bridge |
|
10/20/02 |
12", 16," 16" |
? |
yes |
chartreuse twister tail jig |
Squankum Dam |
|
11/?/02 |
? |
6 lb. |
yes |
chartreuse spawn sac |
Parkway Bridge |
|
11/?/02 |
? |
7 lb. |
yes |
chartreuse spawn sac |
Hospital Rd. |
|
11/16/02 |
14", 16", 17", 25" |
? |
no |
chartreuse spawn sac |
Parkway Bridge |
|
11/16/02 |
14", 17" |
? |
yes |
caddis emerger |
Brice Park |
|
12/01/02 |
32" |
13 lb. |
yes |
5" weighted olive zuddler |
Manasquan WMA |
|
12/09/02 |
19" rainbow |
? |
yes |
chartreuse spawn sac |
Above Squankum Dam |
|
12/09/02 |
22" |
3 lb. |
yes |
chartreuse spawn sac |
Hospital Rd. |
|
12/10/02 |
24" |
? |
yes |
streamer |
Allaire St. Park |
|
01/13/03 |
19" |
3 lb. |
? |
? |
Below Squankum Dam |
|
01/13/03 |
18" rainbow |
2 lb. |
? |
? |
¼ mile above Hospital Rd. |
|
01/13/03 |
18" rainbow |
2.5 lb. |
? |
? |
¼ mile above Hospital Rd. |
|
03/08/03 |
17" |
4.0 lb. |
? |
chartreuse Yozuri Pin Minnow |
Manasquan WMA |
|
03/09/03 |
23" |
6.25 lb. |
? |
chartruese Yozuri Pin Minnow |
Manasquan WMA |
|
03/16/03 |
11.75" |
1.5 lb. |
yes |
chartreuse salmon egg |
Between Parkway Bridge & Hospital Rd. |
|
10/02/03 |
16" |
2.0 lb. |
yes |
gardenworm |
Below Austin Property |
|
10/25/03
|
14.75"
|
2.0 lb.
|
no
|
white Power Bait
|
West Farms Rd. |
|
11/01/03
|
17.0"
|
?
|
yes
|
single salmon egg
|
Allaire St. Park Village
|
|
11/02/03
|
17", 21"
|
?
|
yes
|
rooster tail spinner
|
Lightning Jack's Marina
|
|
11/10/03 .
|
20.0"
|
3.5 lb
|
yes
|
artificial worm
|
Brice Park
|
|
11/12/03
|
14"
|
?
|
yes
|
worm
|
Parkway Bridge
|
|
11/12/03
|
14"
|
?
|
yes
|
spinner
|
Allaire St. Park Village
|
|
11/15/03
|
18"
|
?
|
no
|
worm
|
Parkway Bridge
|
|
11/16/03
|
15"
|
1 lb.
|
yes
|
worm
|
¼ mile upstream
Hospital Rd.
|
|
11/16/03
|
12", 16"
|
?
|
yes
|
worm
|
Upstream of Hospital
Rd.
|
|
11/18/03
|
16"
|
?
|
no
|
spawn sac, worm
|
West Farms Rd.
|
|
11/30/03
|
15"
|
2 lb.
|
yes
|
Rapala
|
Manasquan WMA
|
|
12/ ? /03
|
22"
|
4-5 lb.
|
yes
|
live meal worm/nymph
combo
|
Parkway Bridge
|
|
1/02/04
|
24"- 25"
|
5-6 lb.
|
no
|
caught by harbor seal
|
Lightning Jack's Marina
|
|
1/06/04
|
24"- 25"
|
5-6 lb.
|
no
|
caught by harbor seal
|
Lightning Jack's Marina
|
|
1/22/04
|
14"
|
1.5 lb.
|
yes
|
night crawler
|
Upstream of Hospital
Rd.
|
|
1/22/04
|
16"
|
3 lb.
|
yes
|
night crawler
|
Upstream of Hospital
Rd.
|
|
1/22/04
|
22" rainbow
|
3 lb.
|
no
|
chartreuse spawn sac
|
Upstream of Hospital
Rd.
|
Tips for Sea Run Brown Trout Fishing:
1. Fish the Manasquan River one to two days after a rain as it is becoming
less muddy but not too clear.
2. The best time to fish is in the evening into the night, as this is when
these trout migrate and feed.
3. Mid-October to January 1: Bait is the most productive - pink and white spawn
sacs, night crawlers, worms, killies. The sea runs move into freshwater and
are actively feeding.
4. January 1 to February 1: The sea runs are spawning and not actively feeding
but will strike at 2" long lures such as Rapalas, C.P. Swings, and Rooster Tails.
The most productive lure colors are silver, chartreuse and hot pink. Use a slow
retrieve.
5. February through May: Use bait as described in 3. above.
6. The Manasquan River is very difficult to fish - it has brushy, overgrown
banks. Anglers should use caution -the mud is very slippery, there are many
deep holes and many underwater snags.
7. You have to put in a lot of time. If you get a bite that's a good day, if
you hook one that's a great day, if you land one that's an unbelievable day.
The continuation of this program is dependant upon such reports as it is our
only way of documenting its success. More catch reports are needed.
We encourage any anglers having success or questions
to contact us at 908-236-2118, or email me at mark.boriek@earthlink.net.
You can reveal as much or as little detail as you wish.
For more information on sea run browns, including access areas see the Sea
Run Brown Trout Program Information page.
 |
 |
 |