[nanoreefer22]

So i wanna take my girlfriend fishing and I want to make it a good experience, meaning I want to almost be sure we'll catch something. Are there any spots that gives us a better chance of catching something. We won't be keeping the fish, just doing it for fun.

If anyone knows of any places near a train station or easily accessible by train, that would be great!

-Kris

[Airborneguy]

There are plenty of great places right here in NYC. The 58th Street Pier in Sunset Park would definately be a great place to start for you since you live in Park Slope. Almost anyplace you can get legal access to the water on Staten Island would be great also. The pier in South Beach is always a great place, you will definately catch something... you might not eat, but she will get the feeling of fighting a decent size saltwater fish.

Here's a pic of me from South Beach last year:

[nanoreefer22]

Thanks Air!!! Is that a stingray??

I've tried that pier before with no luck at all. I always get my bait stolen

[h20 freak]

Anywhere with blues, they're crazy.

[nanoreefer22]

What kind of line? Bait? Sinkers? Hooks?

[jackson6745]

25lb monofilament, Bunker chunk, 8/0 gamgatsu octopus hook w/wire leader, "fishfinder" clip on the sinker. Depending on the current you may need anywhere from a 2-5oz sinker. Pyramid shape sinkers hold bottom better than the traditional bank style sinkers.

There are MANY different rigs you can use. I like this best for chunking blues from the shore. Kris you can try the 69st or 58st pier. Both are pretty close to you and blues should be running around there this time of year.

[Airborneguy]

That's a skate. The chinese people actually eat them, but most people throw them back. They get MUCH bigger than that too! I use a 2oz wieght and try to use leaders because of the blues.

I'm surprised you haven't had success there. I've caught something everytime I've been to that pier.

[nanoreefer22]

Very Cool! Gonna try the pier on 68th

Either of you guys happen to know of any bait shops near the piers?

[e.muehlbauer]

Skates are really good eating...but they are a major pain to clean and prepare. They have painfully spiny backs, do not die when you want them to. You have to cut of the pectoral fins ("wings"), then skin them, then fillet the meat off the cartilage. My son made me keep some that we caught a year or so ago. That was it for me...I like to eat skate, do not like to clean them! Besides...I hear they are overfished...so I'll happily release them all. Blues are running well...but if they are small, then forgo the heavy tackle...use 10 lb test, and lures- like jigs or spoons. The metal acts as a leader, so you don't need the wire...and you'll get a hell of a fight. I don't like the taste of NY area bluefish...if you can go further out on the island, you'll find that they are exceptionally sweet and tasty (assuming you clean them and eat them ASAP after catching)...even 14 lb fish taste as sweet as the baby snappers.

[ssmtcarlo]

Take her on the speedy express out of captree state park. Go for the 7pm ocean blue fish run. I guarantee you will catch at least 5-10 nice blues (each). Also its only like $50 per person.