The town of Fortescue is located along the shores of Delaware Bay in New Jersey. A few of the more popular fishing locations around Fortescue include the Egg Island Fish and Wildlife Management Area, the Fortescue Wildlife Management Area and the Delaware River. According to Recfishing Research, fishing offers several health benefits, the most important being social. Fishing has been shown to help in "dealing with anti-social behavior and to promote social well-being in the community."
Locations
There are several locations in Fortescue that allow for launching boats. Be warned that some of these locations can require a 4-by-4 tow vehicle, and some locations can be difficult to launch from at low tide. In Fortescue, you can launch from the Fortescue Wildlife Management Area, the Double A Marina, the Fortescue State Marina and Higbee Marina. The Wildlife Management Area allows ramp usage for free but all other ramps charge a fee. Fortescue also features several banks, or areas where fishermen can fish from shore or land. These areas are adjacent to the water and are often in a park or along a road. One such bank is at the Fortescue Wildlife Management Area and no access fee is charged to fish.
Features
The waters off the coast of Fortescue contain a range of saltwater fish. When out fishing these waters, depending on the season, expect to catch striped bass, bluefish, croaker, summer flounder, also known as fluke, weakfish, tautog and black sea bass. New Jersey has minimum-size and possession limits and season restrictions for each type of fish so be aware of all state regulations before bringing fish onboard.
Weakfishing Capital
Weakfish, or sea trout, are a popular inland fish along the New Jersey and Delaware shorelines. Weakfish frequent this area beginning in early spring and remain through fall. Popular locations for weakfish tend to be around jetties and other ocean structures. According to Striper Cam, Fortescue is known as the Weakfish Capital of the World because it has the best aquatic climate for catching weakfish. Weakfish are typically caught by creating a grass shrimp trail in the water. Anglers catch them by fishing with rods rigged with light weights and three or four shrimp on the hook.
Rentals
Boats are available for rent in the Fortescue area with and without motors and in a variety of horsepowers and lengths. In Fortescue, locations to rent from include Fortescue State Marina, Double "A" Marina and Higbee Marina. There are also several choices if you are interested in chartering a fishing boat, from boats of six passengers to 39.
Weather
The area of Fortescue has mild summers and cool winters. The warmest month is July when the average daily temperature is 86 degrees. The coolest month is January when the daytime high is 41 degrees. The wettest month is March, when an average 4.38 inches of rain fall. Fishing season tends to run from April through September with the most common time for the prize weakfish being September.
Member Comments