Because of the wide variety of water types, gamefish and baits, all flies and tackle have a place here, from 4- to 12-weight rods or even higher, and 1-inch to 1-foot flies. For small weakfish, white perch, young bass, and snapper bluefish, I recommend 6- or 7-weight rods. Eight-weight rods are ideal for slightly larger weakfish, school bass, and dolphin. Stripers, larger blues, and false albacore call for 9- or 10-weight rods, and offshore work may require considerably heavier sticks.

Lance Erwin releases a nice New Jersey striper into the surf. If you are not fishing during the warm weather of summer, waders and a waterproof jacket are recommended.

A wide range of lines to suit the range of fishing conditions is your most important asset. Although floating lines are best suited for popper fishing, most surf and bay anglers fish sunken flies with intermediate lines that get just below the chop and give better fly control. Most surf fish are taken with intermediate lines, which get just below the chop and give better fly control. When distance is paramount, many anglers use a shooting head setup. One-piece 300- or 400-grain heads are second in popularity only to intermediate lines when it comes to bass and albacore fishing. Most anglers fish the bays for weakfish and fluke with 200- to 500-grain, medium-fast sinking-head lines.

Far and away the most important accessory here is the stripping basket. There are numerous commercial models available though most Garden State anglers fashion their own from plastic dishpans or baskets fitted with bungee cords or belts.

In the summer the coastal waters warm enough for wet wading along the beaches. Other than the hottest months, however, waders are a must (preferably rubber-soled boot foot), with a good waterproof jacket, to fish the surf or wade the bays. Jetty fishing requires Korkers or other spiked footgear. Felt soles won't work.

Anglers should carry an assortment of patterns when fishing the Jersey coast. Top left to right: Lefty's Deceiver, Bob's Banger, Siliclone, Surf Candy, and Clouser Deep Minnow.

For flies, the ubiquitous Clouser Minnow and Lefty's Deceivers are standards. I believe in carrying a wide range of sizes and colors, again because of the wide range of possible baits and species I might encounter. Of course, this is Bob Popovics country, and his influence on saltwater angling, though worldwide, is nowhere more evident than here. Nearly every New Jersey coastal fly fisher carries an assortment of Popovics's Jiggies, Surf Candies, Ultra Shrimp, Siliclones, Bangers, or some individually customized versions of these and other Pop Fleyes.