New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-31
THE VARIED JOYS
OF BARNEGAT BAY
Anglers Looking Ahead with De
lightful Anticipation to
Coming Season.
BY HARTIE /. PHILLIPS.


To the lover Of fishing, sailing, mo-
tor boating and aquatic sports i'm gem
eral 10 body of water convenient 20
both New York and Philadelphia al
fords greater pleasure than Barnegat
Bay. An hours ride from the well
known New Jersey seashore resorts of
Asbury Park, Long Branch and Belmar,
or from Philadelphia in the opposite
direction, and IL is reached.
The total length of Barnegat Bay IS
about twenty-siX miles, the widest part
being six miles. On its easterly side
it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean
by narrow strip of land averaging
about a half mile in width. Located
on this strip are a number of towns !;
the northernmost, Bay Head. denotes
by its name its location, and travel
ling southwark about ten miles, Seaside
Park is reached, from this point 10
Barnegst Inlet is about eight miles.
The iifesaving stations along this
strip of land are located about four
miles apart. The railroad at Seaside
Park branches off westward 20 the
mainland over a long trestle bridge;
situated on the westerly end is a draw
bridge station known "a Barnegat Pier,
within walking distance OF BeachWO0d,
the fayorite disembarking place for
those who intend to indulge in a day.
sailing or fishing. II is an interesting
sight during the season to see the sud
den activity displayed as the trains de-
post their passengers on the docks.
A feeling of good natured joviality
seems to affect everybody, men, wom-
en- and children, as the captains guide
them 20 the feet and the boats one
after another cast adrift in moving
southwark toward some OF the best
fishing grounds.
Barnegat Bay is particularly noted
as a great breeding place for weaknsh,
and the school fish usually run from
one to two pounds in weight; they gem
orally make their first appearance 10
June and disappear about the middle
of October The best fishing grounds
are generally located over oyster or
she'll beds and sandy bottoms, and the
captains are skilful in picking the right
locations, which are scattered all over
the bay The tide runners or larger
weskfsh, which oftentimes attain a
weight of six pounds or more, are
caught in the deep water channels, and
shedder crabs and shrimp are the Ia
vorlte bait used.
The food or incoming tide Is gen
orally considered the best for fishing,
and oftentimes on given tide they
will bite voraciously and cease almost
entirely on the change 10 the opposite
tide; frequently a few hundred weak
FISH are caught in single day, but a
great many anglers have formed the
laudable habit OF figuring out how
many they can use for themselves and
friends, and returning the rest TO the
water as soon as landed. This does
away with needless destruction.
The best tackle for this fishing con-
sists Of a medium light split bamboo
or greenheart rod, weighing six to eight
ounces, and reel capable OF holding
100 yards of six or nine thread line.
To the end OF the line Is attached a
two-foot gut leader and a medium sizei
hook, and a small piece of lead and q
bob or float fastened about six feet
from the hook, complete the OUTFIT. A
short cast is all that is necessary, Ms
the tide will soon drag out the line.
The instructions then are 20 watch the
float carefully, and as soon as u dips
under the surface lift up steadily ana
avoid, II possible, any slack line when
Keeling in. as weakfish are very foxy
and will not miss an opportunity 70
escape. incidentally IL might be stated
that kingfsh or barb are often taken