Where is there a good place to fish in NJ?

For NJ/East Coast surfers, should I spend money on a Fish over a long board?

• I'd like to get some input before I head to the surf shop. I'm in NJ, have been riding a 6'6 thruster for all size waves, recently bought a 7'6 fun shape to act as my "long board" for smaller waves. I never rode a fish shape before, but have heard they're good for smaller waves. How small? I don't think I've ever seen anyone riding one in knee high waves, mostly always long-boards. Are they hard to pop-up on? I usually take off behind the wave as opposed to taking off right as it's about to break. I'd assume on a fish this cannot be the case since the board's so small? For smaller days when the thruster is no good, should I be paddling out on a Fish or long board? For anyone on the east coast or in NJ, what do you ride when the waves are small?

• Answer:

  That's a tough question. I surf lots of different east coast breaks, and I ride all of the above (although my thruster is a 7'6"!). The ride you get from a fish is a lot looser and maybe just a little bit harder to control than either a longboard, or a funboard. Actually, since I got my fish, I have pretty much stopped riding my funboard, but I still have some fun real little ankle slapping days on my longboard. It is sort of a 'performance' longboard, and not 'loggy' at all. I really love my fish. It's custom made and a twin fin, so it's not an off the rack model. It has lots of foam and a nice wide swallow tail. I ride it in some amazingly small stuff. It's a much different ride from my longboard, but it paddles and takes off just as easily. I did rip out a fin box riding it too shallow on a tiny day, something that wouldn't have happened cruising with my longboard. My suggestion is "go for it". Just shop around and make sure you get one that is wide enough and fat enough for you and you'll get the most versatile ride around. Just one other thing, I have ridden my fish on some overhead days and it is just as good when its big. After 43 years, I think it is the most versatile board I have ever rideen.