January '2024 Fishing Forecast • Winter Fishing Opportunities • Baked Cod Recipe • Knots To Know

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Winter can be a tough time of the year to motivate yourself and get out to fish. Most would just assume that we have a lack of fish in the winter. Actually this is far from true. Many species remain very active during these months. Trout (for example ) will continue to bite through out the cold months. This past fall stocking of 2-year old brown trout loaded up the local lakes for the winter.

One place on the Freshwater side of things that's a must to discover and try your luck is at Connetquot River State Park  for fly fishing. Patchogue locals are reporting consistent catches of Rainbow and Brook trout using bead headed Nymphs and Wolly Buggers. 

the store is stocking up on many of the fly fishing products to to use for an enjoyable day at the park. So stop down. Open 7 days. .

Large schools of Brown Trout can provide you with some light tackle action. West Lake , located right up the block from the shop, is an excellent place to start.

Also as a reminder West lake has been stocked twice this Fall with many brown trout. Not many people have been going down to try for them so they are still very active and will respond to lures and bait used in the lake.

"Check out the Ice Fishing gear and supplies. Ice fishing has become a popular winter time activity to help combat cabin fever during the winter months."

Other locations to fish for trout would be ,Swan Lake Info , canaan lake, Bubble Falls  and rattle snake creek. Nightcrawlers , dough baits , blue fox lures , small kastmasters are top choices of lures when fishing for these trout 

As far as baits and lures go its much easier to fool one of these trout on live bait such as a nightcrawler. I like to fish the worms a few feet under a small float, weighed down by a single large split shot.

Yellow Perch can be another fun freshwater species to target in these "Slow" months. A simple float rig with a piece of a nightcrawler is all thats needed to have a good shot at them. Many of the Perch get quite fat this time of the year so be ready for a nice fight on a lighter pole.

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white perch - are around in the local rivers and estuaries of long island , reports of local fisherman catching a couple of these fish have been reported . Baits that have been productive to catch these fish are nightcrawlers on a small jig head with a curly tail or fat cow strip, all these baits are in stock in our store for your needs

White perch can be found in tidal creeks as well as some freshwater or brackish water ponds. The best lures to throw for white perch are small soft plastics, hair jigs and small spoons. Baits like grass shrimp, nightcrawlers or small live killies are also some excellent baits for white perch. The hardest part to whit perch fishing is finding them, it’s best to fish areas thoroughly and watch tide charts closely to better intercept these winter treats. The best tides would probably be the end of the incoming and beginning of the out going. Don’t be surprised if you also catch some schoolie stripers in you hunt for white perch, as well at the stray trout or carp.

Herring - many anglers have traded in the surf gear to catch some herring. The Herring bite can be productive up on the north shores of long island . sabiki rigs are the ideal tackle used to fish for herring

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The shop itself is now in winter hours mode. Hours are 9-5 Monday through Saturday and 9-3 on sundays.

Our shop will be open year round just that their is a change to our hours over the winter , we will be carrying baits such as freshwater shiners, nightcrawlers , and still have some clam in stock for those cod fishing !

Also remember to bring your reels to be serviced before the spring !! as well as any rod repairs . Spring is just right around the corner.

Winter Show Schedule '2024

Stop by our booth at the first show of the season on:
Striper Day 
January 14, 2024 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Located at Ward Melville High School at 380 Old Town Rd, Setauket-East Setauket, NY 11733. Hosted by Surfcaster’s Journal and the Ward Melville Fishing Club.

Just a reminder. All anglers 16yrs and older are required to register for saltwater fishing or purchase a license for freshwater fishing in New York State.

You need to register before saltwater fishing. It's easy and it's FREE for NYS residents and all visitors.  To fish our local lakes and ponds, a Freshwater License is required. Basically, a NYS resident, Freshwater License, is available to purchase for a days fishing ($5.00) a week ($12.00) or a season (one year from date of purchase for $25.00.-Senior [70 or older] $5.00. )  Additional discounts are available for active military, disabled vets and more...... Non-Resident Freshwater Fishing Licenses are also available for a fee from $10.00-$50.00. 

Stop down at  J & J Sports  and we'll issue you a licenses or marine registry. To purchase a license or register  online- click HERE.   There's nothing worse than getting a ticket just because you went fishing. Have a smart phone? Here's an idea:
It's a good idea to "snap a shot" of your license so it's always with you in case of loss or its destroyed.

Rons Recipes: Baked Cod And Potatoes
INGREDIANTS:
• 2 lbs. Cod Fillet
• 3-4 Peeled White Potatoes
• ½ White Onion
• 2-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Crushed Garlic
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional)*
Directions:
Pre-Heat your oven to 425 degrees. Coat the bottom of a baking pan with olive oil and the crushed garlic. Cut the peeled Potatoes into slices and spread them out in the baking pan, season with salt and pepper to taste. Cut the onion and spread out over the Potatoes. Drizzle more olive oil over the Potatoes and onion. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Cut the Cod Fillet into serving size portions 6-8 ounces making sure that all bones and skin have been removed. Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel. Take the potatoes out of the oven and lay the Fillets in the pan spooning the Potatoes and onion over the top. Drizzle more olive oil on top of the Fillets if needed. Sprinkle some Red Pepper flakes to taste and put back in the oven for an additional 10-12 minutes depending on the thickness of the Fillets. The Cod will be White and Flaky when done.
* You can also use Lemon and Pepper seasoning if you don’t like it spicy.

More Rons Recipes 

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Send your reports, photos or your favorite fish recipe to: REPORTS@JJSPORTSFISHING.COM 

Don't forget to include, names, location and details (when possible: lures or bait used, tides, etc….) comments or questions are welcome. Call (631) 654-2311