Fish locating strategy?

[jvitiel]

I’m mostly new to fishing so please help me with the ‘drill down’ process if you can.

I have limited knowledge about where to fish in the local bays but this is my proposed strategy for finding an area as quickly as possible. Please tell me what is wrong - or more importantly, what is missing - from the following. Assume that there is no local or up to the minute info available

1) Look at charts and read up on places that are likely locations - understanding that each day/hour is different.
2) Troll those areas and keep an eye on the sonar.
3) At the first sign of action decide between tighter trolling and drifting/following

I’m thinking that there is a step between 1 and 2 where you might want to run across some of the likely trolling areas identified in step 1 and look more closely at the sonar and birds.

Understanding that birds are more easily evaluated from afar, is it worth running over a bunch of potential trolling grounds to look at the sonar before picking the best one? Can you even see Stripers etc. on a newer sonar at scouting speeds?

Thanks much for any insight that you can provide.

Best,
John

[step up here]

Well it all takes money time and ability. One way would be to go on the hottest and best charter boat you can. Every trip you take fishing is a adventure and then some. Go fishing as often as possible to get that SPECIAL experience.Good Luck catch em up!

[Kracker Jack]

Alot of your bay fishing is based off structure....wether it be hard structure for rockfish,spadefish,triggerfish,cobia,flounder, tautog,drum(bridges,jetties,wrecks,tunnels etc.) or bottom structure or contour for rockfish, flounder,drum,cobia,etc.(legdes,channels,shoals etc.) these places hold bait and offers protection and also hiding spots for others. Alot of fish are caught away from structure also such as spanish mackrel,bluefish and cobia are caught in schools of bait,color/tide changes, and tidal rip. Pay attention to birds....where there is bait there is fish. You will have to fine tune your own game. Good luck

[phatdaddy]

i just go launch around 9 o'clock in the morning and go where all the other boats are

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

i just go launch around 9 o'clock in the morning and go where all the other boats are

This will help in NY/NJ area. Print version is in most bait shops and convenience stores.http://www.thefisherman.com/index.cfm?


Where are you launching?

[jvitiel]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

This will help in NY/NJ area. Print version is in most bait shops and convenience stores.http://www.thefisherman.com/index.cfm?


Where are you launching?

Thanks. I had a subscription to that a few years ago but didn't do anything with it at the time and let it lapse. Just re-upped.

I live by the Tappan Zee bridge so for the western LI sound I launch in either Norwalk or Mamaroneck.

For Sandy Hook I usually go out of Seawarren (just north of Perth Amboy) or sometimes Atlantic Highlands.