What You'll Find at Second Street Park

Second Street Park sits right on the Raritan River in downtown Perth Amboy, giving you direct access to one of the Mid-Atlantic's most productive striped bass and shad fisheries. The park is small—mostly a waterfront strip with a few benches and a boat launch—but the location is what matters. You're fishing tidal water where the river widens before it meets the bay, and that transition zone holds fish year-round.

The park works best during spring and fall when shad and stripers move through on migration. Spring shad run typically peaks April through May; fall stripers show up September through November. Summer is slower but not dead—you'll catch smaller stripers and some catfish. Winter is possible but the water gets cold and access can be rough depending on weather.

Key Takeaways

  • Second Street Park has a public boat launch and shoreline access, making it one of the few free launch points on the Raritan River in Perth Amboy proper.
  • Spring shad run (April–May) and fall striper migration (September–November) are the peak seasons; you'll need light tackle and small shad patterns or live baitfish.
  • The park is tidal water, so check tide tables before you go—incoming tide on the lower Raritan typically concentrates fish near structure and deeper holes.
  • Parking is street-level and limited; arrive early on weekends or fish weekday mornings to avoid crowding.
  • The Raritan is a working river with barge traffic, so stay alert and keep to the designated fishing areas away from the main channel.

Boat Launch and Access

The launch at Second Street Park is a single concrete ramp, wide enough for one trailer at a time. It's free and open to the public, but there's no attendant and no facilities beyond a parking lot. The ramp can get soft or slippery when the river is high or after heavy rain, so check conditions before backing down.

If you're launching a small boat or kayak, this is your best bet in downtown Perth Amboy. Larger boats (over 20 feet) can launch here, but you'll want to time it with the tide—low water can make the approach shallow. The parking area holds maybe a dozen cars, and it fills quickly on spring weekends. Arrive by 7 a.m. if you want a spot.

Street parking is available on Second Street itself if the lot is full, but check posted signs. The neighborhood is residential, and parking enforcement is active during business hours.

Spring Shad Run Strategy

Shad move upriver to spawn starting in late March and peak through May. They're not large fish—most run 3 to 5 pounds—but they're fast, acrobatic, and they school. From the park, you can reach them by casting small shad darts (1/4 to 3/8 ounce) or spoons into the current, or by drifting live shad if you can net them or buy them from a local tackle shop.

Fish the incoming tide when shad are actively moving upriver. The best water is usually 15 to 30 feet out from the park's shoreline, where the river channel deepens. Cast upstream and let the current work your lure back toward you. Shad hit hard and run immediately—set the hook fast and keep your drag set light or you'll lose them.

If you're fishing from shore, a 6 to 7-foot light spinning rod with 8-pound test is standard. If you have a boat, you can work the deeper channel and the edges of the main current, which holds more fish. Shad fishing is fast and active—you'll know within the first hour whether they're in the area.

Fall Stripers and Seasonal Patterns

Striped bass move downriver in fall (September through November) as water cools, and they concentrate in the Raritan before heading to the bay. They're larger than shad—10 to 30 pounds is common—and they eat aggressively. From Second Street Park, you can reach them on live bunker (menhaden), live eels, or large shad patterns.

Fish the incoming tide in fall, especially the last two hours before high water. Stripers use the tide to move and feed, and they often hold near the pilings of the old industrial docks upstream from the park. If you have a boat, work those structures. From shore, cast parallel to the current and work your bait or lure slowly—stripers in tidal water are often stationary, waiting for food to come to them.

A 7 to 8-foot medium spinning rod with 12 to 15-pound test handles fall stripers well. Bring multiple rods if you can—one rigged with live bait, one with a topwater plug or large shad pattern. The bite can turn on suddenly and last only an hour or two, so be ready to switch tactics.

Tides and Water Conditions

The Raritan is tidal all the way to New Brunswick, and Second Street Park sits in the middle of that zone. Tide range here is typically 4 to 5 feet, and the current can run 1 to 2 knots on a strong incoming or outgoing tide. Check a tide table for Perth Amboy or Raritan Bay before you fish—the timing changes daily.

Incoming tide is usually better for fishing because it concentrates baitfish and predators in the deeper holes and near structure. Outgoing tide can work, especially early in the drop when fish are still active, but the water gets thin and fish scatter. Plan to fish the last hour of incoming and the first two hours of high slack water for the most consistent action.

Water clarity varies with season and recent rainfall. Spring shad run often happens in slightly turbid water—that's normal and doesn't hurt the bite. Fall stripers prefer clearer water, but they'll feed in murky conditions if the tide is right. If the river is brown and rising after a storm, wait a day or two for it to clear.

Tackle and Bait Recommendations

For shad, bring 1/4 to 3/8-ounce shad darts in white, chartreuse, or natural colors. Small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce) also work. If you want to fish live bait, a small shad or herring (3 to 4 inches) on a 1/0 to 2/0 hook will catch both shad and stripers.

For fall stripers, live bunker is the gold standard—a 4 to 6-inch menhaden on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook will draw strikes. Live eels (8 to 12 inches) are also excellent and often produce larger fish. If you prefer casting, large shad patterns (4 to 5 inches), topwater plugs, or soft plastics rigged on 1/2 to 1-ounce jigheads all work.

Local tackle shops in Perth Amboy (check around the waterfront) usually stock live bait during peak seasons. Call ahead to confirm availability, especially on weekends. If you're bringing your own bait, keep it cool in a livewell or cooler with ice.

Parking, Facilities, and Safety

The park has a small paved lot with maybe a dozen spaces. There are no restrooms, no water fountains, and no shade structures. Bring what you need—water, sunscreen, a hat. The neighborhood is walkable but not heavily developed; a few restaurants and shops are a few blocks away on Smith Street.

The Raritan is a working river with commercial barge traffic, especially during daylight hours. Stay out of the main channel and keep your boat or kayak visible. If you're fishing from shore, stay behind the park's designated fishing area and don't wade into the channel.

The area is generally safe during daylight, but don't leave valuables in your car and don't fish alone at dawn or dusk. The neighborhood has improved over the past decade, but it's still an urban waterfront—use common sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Second Street Park?

Spring (April–May) for shad and fall (September–November) for stripers are the most productive. Summer is slower but possible; winter is difficult and weather-dependent. If you can only go once, target the spring shad run or early fall when stripers first arrive.

Do I need a boat to fish here, or can I fish from shore?

You can fish from shore along the park's waterfront, though a boat gives you access to deeper water and more structure. Shore fishing works best during peak tide movement when fish are actively feeding in shallow water.

Can I keep what I catch?

New Jersey allows you to keep striped bass and shad, but there are size and creel limits that change by year. Check the current New Jersey Fish and Wildlife regulations before you fish. Stripers typically have a 18-inch minimum; shad have no minimum but are usually too small to keep.

What if the launch is crowded or the parking lot is full?

Arrive early (before 7 a.m.) on weekends, or fish on weekday mornings. Street parking is available on Second Street if the lot is full, but check for posted restrictions. If you can't launch, the park's shoreline is still open for shore fishing.

Is there a launch fee?

No, the launch is free and open to the public. There's no attendant and no facilities, but there's no charge to use the ramp.