How to Fish Manasquan Reservoir: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Manasquan Reservoir

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 26, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Manasquan Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass actively moving towards shallow spawning areas, staging on points and timber edges near spawning flats Increased feeding activity as fish prepare for spawn, with bluegill being a primary forage target	Standing timber adjacent to spawning flats Points and ledges leading to spawning areas Protected coves with adequate depth transitions	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around timber and cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water between spots Spinnerbaits along timber edges in slightly stained water	Bluegill congregating near spawning areas Various baitfish transitioning to shallower water	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	48-58	Smallmouth bass transitioning from winter deep water patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, following the warming trend Fish becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, moving to rocky areas and points in preparation for spawn	Main lake points with rock or riprap, especially near deeper water access Hard bottom areas in 5-15 foot depth range Transition areas between standing timber and rocky structure	Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure Blade Baits for actively feeding fish Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky points	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small perch in rocky areas Baitfish schools near points	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	60-65	Bass are actively spawning with males guarding beds and females moving between staging areas and spawning sites Fish showing strong preference for shallow cover, particularly around standing timber and flooded brush Pre-spawn females staging in slightly deeper water, moving up during optimal conditions	Standing timber in spawning pockets and coves Flooded brush in protected areas Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with Rage Bug style baits Wacky Rigs around visible beds and staging areas Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn fish	Bluegill Crawfish	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Actively spawning and guarding nests in shallow, hard-bottom areas with water temperatures around 65°F Male smallmouth are highly territorial and aggressive when protecting nests, while post-spawn females are beginning to move to slightly deeper water	Rocky points and hard bottom areas in 2-6 feet of water for actively spawning fish Transition areas near points leading to deeper water for post-spawn fish Protected coves with gravel or rock bottom substrate	Ned Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas Drop Shot with small profile baits for sight fishing Tubes dragged slowly across rocky areas	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy Small bottom-dwelling prey fish Various minnow species	Natural Craw Colors Chartreuse Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-72	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to standing timber and shallow cover Fish are transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns, making frequent feeding moves throughout the day	Standing timber in 5-10 foot depth range Secondary points with submerged vegetation Shallow coves with bluegill beds	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around timber and vegetation Drop Shot with finesse presentations for pressured fish Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around heavy cover	Bluegill Post-spawn shad	Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	58-68	Actively feeding in transition areas between spawning flats and summer haunts, with increased activity during warming trends Relating strongly to hard bottom areas and points, moving between shallow and mid-depth zones based on daily temperature fluctuations	Main lake points with rock/riprap transitions Hard bottom areas adjacent to spawning flats in 5-10 ft range Standing timber edges near deeper water access	Ned Rigs worked slowly along hard bottom areas Drop Shot with small profile baits near vertical structure Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses around points	Perch Small bottom-dwelling crayfish Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-75	Bass are establishing summer patterns, relating to deeper structure and vegetation while feeding actively during prime periods. Fish are showing schooling behavior when chasing baitfish, as evidenced by multiple catches in quick succession. Fish are transitioning between shallow and deeper water throughout the day, utilizing standing timber and submerged vegetation as primary cover.	Submerged vegetation in 5-10 foot depth range Outside edges of standing timber Humps and points with access to deeper water	Drop Shot with finesse presentations around vegetation and timber Lipless Crankbaits worked along timber edges and points when fish are actively feeding Wacky Rigs in and around submerged vegetation	Bluegill in and around vegetation Perch relating to structure Schooling baitfish in open water near points and timber	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Pink Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	68-75	Actively feeding around standing timber and points, using these structures as ambush points for perch and other forage Moving between shallow and deep water throughout the day, with early morning/late evening shallow activity and midday deeper holding patterns	Standing timber areas in 10-15 foot depth range Main lake points with rock/riprap Deep-water transitions near submerged vegetation	Drop Shot targeting suspended fish near standing timber Ned Rigs worked along rocky points Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish during peak feeding periods	Perch Small sunfish around submerged vegetation Crayfish on rocky structure	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Manasquan Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass actively chasing baitfish schools in open water and around standing timber, following typical fall feeding patterns Fish transitioning between shallow and mid-depth zones, particularly during morning and evening periods Schooling behavior becomes more prominent as fish group up to feed on concentrated bait	Main lake points and ledges near standing timber Shallow vegetation edges transitioning to deeper water Humps and underwater structure in 8-15 foot range	Lipless Crankbaits worked through and around baitfish schools Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and timber edges Spinnerbaits around shallow cover during low light periods Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for mimicking prevalent forage	Schooling Baitfish Bluegill Young-of-year Shad	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	52-65	Actively feeding and chasing baitfish in preparation for winter, following forage to deeper structure Showing increased schooling behavior, with fish relating strongly to vertical structure and points	Main lake points near deep water access, especially those with rock or riprap Standing timber areas in 15-25 foot depth range Deep structure near dam with rock/riprap	Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly along bottom structure Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Spybaits worked slowly through the water column around timber	Yellow Perch schooling in deeper water Smaller baitfish relating to standing timber	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	45-55	Fish are suspending near vertical structure, particularly standing timber, and moving into slightly deeper water during cold fronts Feeding activity is concentrated during warmer parts of the day, with fish becoming more lethargic during temperature drops Bass are relating closely to baitfish schools and seeking warmer pockets of water near depth changes	Standing timber adjacent to deeper water in 15-25 foot range Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water Deeper humps and ledges near primary creek channels	Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish Jerkbaits worked slowly along timber edges Shakey Heads worked slowly on bottom structure	Schooling shad in deeper water Bluegill relating to timber and structure Smaller baitfish suspended near timber	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	38-45	Smallmouth bass are concentrated in deeper, stable temperature zones near hard bottom structure and main lake points Fish are less active but will feed opportunistically during warming trends, particularly in early afternoon periods Schools are typically tighter and more concentrated than other seasons, often relating to vertical structure like standing timber	Deep main lake points adjacent to river channel or dam areas (15-25 feet) Standing timber areas near deep water access Rocky bottom transitions where hard bottom meets deeper water	Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly Tubes dragged slowly along bottom structure	Yellow Perch suspended near structure Small baitfish schools concentrated in deeper water	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Manasquan Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber adjacent to spawning flats	Points and ledges leading to spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with rock or riprap, especially near deeper water access	Hard bottom areas in 5-15 foot depth range
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber in spawning pockets and coves	Flooded brush in protected areas
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Rocky points and hard bottom areas in 2-6 feet of water for actively spawning fish	Transition areas near points leading to deeper water for post-spawn fish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber in 5-10 foot depth range	Secondary points with submerged vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points with rock/riprap transitions	Hard bottom areas adjacent to spawning flats in 5-10 ft range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Submerged vegetation in 5-10 foot depth range	Outside edges of standing timber
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Standing timber areas in 10-15 foot depth range	Main lake points with rock/riprap
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points and ledges near standing timber	Shallow vegetation edges transitioning to deeper water
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Main lake points near deep water access, especially those with rock or riprap	Standing timber areas in 15-25 foot depth range
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Standing timber adjacent to deeper water in 15-25 foot range	Main lake points with access to both shallow and deep water
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Deep main lake points adjacent to river channel or dam areas (15-25 feet)	Standing timber areas near deep water access

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating near spawning areas	Various baitfish transitioning to shallower water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small perch in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Crawfish
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy	Small bottom-dwelling prey fish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Post-spawn shad
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Perch	Small bottom-dwelling crayfish
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in and around vegetation	Perch relating to structure
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Perch	Small sunfish around submerged vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Schooling Baitfish	Bluegill
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Yellow Perch schooling in deeper water	Smaller baitfish relating to standing timber
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Schooling shad in deeper water	Bluegill relating to timber and structure
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Yellow Perch suspended near structure	Small baitfish schools concentrated in deeper water

Bait Colors by Season for Manasquan Reservoir

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Chartreuse Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Pink Colors
Summer	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors Green Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors
Winter	Smallmouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals

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