Largemouth Bass

Fair Haven, New Jersey, while coastal, offers some solid freshwater bass fishing opportunities if you know where to look. The nearby rivers and connected waterways branching off the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers hold populations of largemouth. While these aren't massive, sprawling lakes, the tidal creeks and backwaters provide ideal habitat. Spring and fall are your best bets, as the bass move into shallower water to spawn in the spring and feed heavily before winter. Focus your efforts around structure like docks, fallen trees, and weed beds. A key local tip is to pay attention to the tides. The incoming tide can bring in baitfish and trigger a feeding frenzy. Soft plastics like worms and creature baits rigged weedless are effective due to the often-weedy conditions. Also, consider using topwater lures early in the morning or late in the evening for explosive strikes. The largemouth in these tidal rivers tend to be opportunistic feeders, so presentation is key.