Cargojon

You could try Hammonton Lake in Hammonton, NJ (about 40 minutes depending on traffic). Or check this thread

That place gets fished hard. All I've ever caught there was sunnies. Granted I haven't been there in decades.

My son, when he refuses to listen to me and then gripes that he doesn't catch any fish. I love him, he loves to fish, but he has his own ideas. Using a 3 inch crankbait (catching only trees) when I'm reeling in bass by the boatload on a Senko, and he gripes. Then he wonders why his sister outfished him the other day 5-0 over the course of about 2 hours. He refuses to accept that the longest cast is not the best cast. He won't be 14 forever so I enjoy the moments with him (and her) regardless

It's funny because before reading your post I looked where you were from (we spend a week in Hilton Head every year so I know Bluffton pretty well), and figured this is how the story was going to go. I was golfing once at a course in Bluffton and saw one of those big boys in the water hazard pond. I hate those things. You carry a pocket knife, I'd want to carry a 12 gauge.

I would think it would only take a minute or two for most of these creatures to drown.

If you're after Smallies try the Conewago south of Harrisburg where it empties into Susquehanna. I haven't been there in a few years but that was always a good spot. For Largemouth, I always went to the PH Glatfelter pond in Spring Grove. Good for LM and shore fishing. Also worth mentioning are Lake Redman and Pinchot Park, I have had luck from both over the years.

Why not go to Cabela's in Wheeling? To me they blow away BPS. Oh, just re-read, you're headed East. Maybe check out the Hamburg, PA location.

Anybody have any suggestions on where I can take my son in/around the Pine Barrens region for some bass? Getting tired of catfish, the occasional pickerel, and the (all too common and also disgusting) eels. We'd be shore fishing... We have a lake front campsite at our place but the lake is only a lake from April - November, then they drain it and it turns into a large stream....so the native fish population isn't what it could be.

Thanks. He and I usually fish the Pine Barrens in NJ when we're at our permanent camp on weekends, but since school is out I figured I'd take him local; plus he's getting better at this thing and I figure he's ready for something better than catfish and pickerel. I have a couple places in mind here that I think would be fine (Green Lane, a couple of local parks w/river access, etc) but just trying to get the best scouting feedback I can before walking in half blind

Anybody been to Lenape so far this year? Looking for local areas to take my son this summer.

That's pretty funny, I live 20 minutes from Plymouth Meeting (Limerick) and you live 20 minutes from where I grew up. My daughter was actually born @ Lancaster Women & Babies off the M-ville exit of route 30. Growing up I fished the Conewago in York County a lot, which I use a lot of the same techniques on the Schuylkill.

I know what river and college you're talking about, my sister-in-law went there and I grew up in the area. I live closer to Philly now, my best luck on the Schuylkill is Berkely Grab! 3" minnow on a drop-style rig. Caught two of them in an hour this morning.