Thanks. I didn't get out at all, fresh or salt water, the last two years so it was good to find out that I can still entice a fish to take the bait. To see how some of my fellow New Yorkers fared on opening day check out
https://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2020/04/trout-fishing-season-upstate-ny-anglers-share-photos-of-their-catches.html

New York is open for fishing. I went out yesterday for a little while in the Ellenville area. I saw about 6 other people fishing. After all the rain the last few days the water was higher and faster than normal but clear. I caught one brookie that I released. It was just good to get out.

The first thing you need to know is that you must register to fish. First go to https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/saltwater.htm to read up on what is available. Then go to https://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/index.html to register. You register on-line then print out the registration. It is painless and free but there will be a charge if you are caught fishing without the registration. Read up on what is pertinent to you then go to http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19NJMD-LR2.pdf where you can get a pdf of last year's NJ Marine Digest. Rules/Size and quantity limits change so when you get to New Jersey get a copy of this year's Digest. It is free and can be found at any bait/tackle shop. Check out the Marine Species Identification pages so you can identify the various fish, clams, crabs and lobsters you may encounter in the local waters.

Once you are registered and know what you can keep then follow the great advice offered by others here to learn how to catch them. Good luck and have fun. (Many others also may want to check out the Digest, especially the Marine Species Identification pages).

I have had a lot of success using a Rapala F07 TR Brown trout. I have had 2 trout chasing it at once. I caught one then cast again and caught the other. I even had trout no bigger than the lure chase it. And I consider myself, at best, an average fisherman. But if you are looking for a really off-the-wall suggestion - LEARN TO FLY FISH! It is not that difficult, it does not require a 4 year degree. Even little children can do it. You do not have to wait until you are an expert to try out what you can do. We are all born with the same amount of knowledge which is NONE. Every fly fisherman started out where you are right now. Take a chance. Have some fun. Read up on it. Watch some YouTube videos. Think how you will feel when you catch that first trout on a fly. You will soon have another arrow in your fisherman's quiver. And I bet it won't be long before you are giving fly fishing advice to others. Good luck. And don't forget to share some pics of your catch.

It seems that your quip was lost on a secular crowd.

Hello Marine1. Thank you for your service and I am glad that you are back home. I hope you find these posts entertaining and informative until you can be out on the water. Good luck with everything.

The pic you showed looks too small for salt water fishing. Back in the 50's and 60's we used a spreader like the one attached for flounder in NY and NJ. It came without the sinker. I added it for the pic to show how the rig would look. It was very exciting for a young boy to get a "double header".

Yeah, I get it. NYC is a bunch of islands, how can there possibly be fishing there? There is also Long Island and New Jersey. There is fishing from jettys, surf, rental boats, party boats and charters. There is also fresh water fishing for trout, perch, bass and panfish. You can go for eels, clams and lobsters. New Rochelle is on Long Island Sound which is between Connecticut and LI / NYC. Try sites like "https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/07/31/where-to-go-fishing-in-nyc" and You Tube. Keep in mind that not all of the fish you may catch would be edible in large amounts if at all. Read the regulations book and get a fresh water fishing license or a Marine Registration (free) or both as required.

What is the difference between being relegated to a bicycle at 15 and getting your permit to drive at 16? Or being able to vote at 18 instead of 17? It is impossible to judge each person individually so the states, based on history and experience, have chosen various ages as markers on the road to maturity. Just as parents give their children more freedom and responsibility to ease them into adulthood, the states do likewise. At 16 you are considered mature enough to get working papers and, unfortunately, end your formal education. You are also considered mature enough to start paying for some things you have enjoyed for free since birth. And these things were “free” to you only because others were paying the freight.

I also reside in New York state and believe that very few people, indeed, can come close to listing even half of what sport license fees provide. I suggest that you, and everyone who uses this site visit New York’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov. I am sure that all the states have similar sites, but I am familiar with this one.

You are already ahead of the game. Many of our young people have never had the opportunity to visit the outdoors. That means no fishing, hunting, trapping, camping or even hiking. And they have not gone boating, skiing or snowmobiling either. They never saw a wild turkey or eagle nor a fawn or even a trout in a stream. Some of the fees go to introducing these people to what many of us unthinkingly enjoy by holding free fishing clinics where anyone new to the sport can try it for free for a day without a license. The state provides the rods, reels, tackle and bait while others attend to teach them how to fish. Our license fees help to provide this for them and I, for one, am happy to contribute in my small way.

Very few families can afford the formal education that you have benefitted from since you were very young. We have all benefitted from others, including those whose children are grown as well as those who never had children but continue to pay their school taxes. At least you directly benefit for the small fee that you are asked to pay.

I assume that you have recently turned 16 or will do so soon. You may well live another 80 years or more and I hope that you do and will be able to enjoy the outdoors for all those years. You appear to be at a crossroads now. You must decide whether you will spend those years helping those who need it or worrying if you are getting your every penny’s worth. The latter leads to a long, miserable life no matter what age you attain. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a family where donating to worthy causes was taught to us at an early age. I still donate, though maybe not as much as I could. I will turn 70 next year and I have not been able to fish the past few years, but I still buy a license each year and will do so as long as I can. I sleep well and have never been visited by my own “Jacob Marley”.

My apologies for such a long response. I hope that you made it to the end and that you will consider my answer to your question. Many people want to feel that they are making a positive contribution and not being a drain. I hope that you buy a license and maybe consider volunteering, even if it is just taking someone fishing with you. Your time is much more valuable than your few dollars. In any event, good fishing.