For the hardy fisherman who owns a decent pair of waders and a great deal of determination, there are few experiences to beat hooking the delicate-mouthed weakfish or “sea trout” as it’s commonly called. Related to the black drum, the weakfish has a well-developed swim bladder which allows the fish to create a deep, drum-like grunt from which this family also got the name “croakers”. Though more common in the Chesapeake Bay, weakfish make their way up the inland waterway into the brackish water of the Navesink River in New Jersey with fair regularity.

Though weakfish can be hooked from a boat without much trouble, there’s nothing like standing on a mid-river sandbar and feeling that signature thunk as the fish grabs the lure. Unlike many other sport-fishing targets, weakfish are not great fighters. So it was that I was certain I’d hooked a tire or big hunk of weeds as I stood chest-deep in the river yanking gently to free my snagged hook.

The walk/slog/swim from the sandbar to the beach was a long one, particularly as I was dragging a weight that got heavier with every step. When I hit the sand and gave a final yank, I was rewarded with the satisfying sound of a four-pounder hitting the beach alongside me.

Weakfish and their close cousins have a lifespan of up to 17 years, which makes over-fishing a near impossibility. Their long reproductive life allows for quick recovery of the species in their habitat. The down side is that large fish are a rarity. It takes many years for a weakfish to reach its maximum of 32 inches and 11 pounds, so trophies are hard to come by. But for the sheer sport of it—and great eating, to boot—weakfishing is one of New Jersey’s little-known sporting treasures.