Shark River Inlet fishing

[SeaSaw]

Looking for some advice on Stripper fishing out of Shark River inlet. Ramps to use? I see a couple online but would like some input. I have a 26ft Angler with a cabin. Best times to go H tide L tide, night or day? Location South or North of the inlet? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I plan on heading down for some Stripper fishing after this Nor'easter blows out.

thanks

[bgreene]

Sure - but first, are you trailering ?

Anyway, from Shark River, access to Stripers is real good.
Once the fish start schooling up, head north looking for marks and birds.
Later in the fall run, huges schools tend to develop north off Shrews Rocks and northward.

So far as how to: you can jig, troll, and bait fish.
Troll: stretch 25's, shad bodies, umbrellas, spoons etc depending.
Jig: Ava's and such around schools
Bait Bunker
Troll slow - usually around 2mph or so.

Sometimes you need to be on the fish early am for the bite, sometimes not. Seems that the fall bite can be early, but I've never fished late.
Some Bonita and False Albie's too.

[bgreene]

Oops, I just saw you asked about ramps.........

There's the ramp at Fisherman's Den right where the Party Boats are all docked in Belmar. You get tokens for the ramp, and best if you have someone with you because the ramps ok, but the wall is concrete.
Walk it very carefully !!! This ramp may be open 24hrs, not sure.

Then there's the ramp at Mac's Bait & Tackle - much more user friendly.
A smaller ramp seems ok even at low tide, but hours of operation are not as early. From the south, head just over the Shark River bridge and make the 1st U turn to cross and enter the back side of Macs lot. Then just walk around to the store.

I tend to trailer there quite a bit, and the inlet itself is a pleasure - short, deep and easy. Of course, an easterly wind with outgoing can produce bad inlet conditions, but that's just a matter of planning in accordance with the forecast and prevaling sea conditions.
I run my Mako 201 out of it without problems.

[njbasspro88]

Timing was crucial there this spring, if you weren't on the water by 4:30 then no bass for you :razz: There was also an evening bite, right at sunset.

Don't know how it will work now as I've never fished out of Shark River in the fall.

[minglewood]

The Bry's Marine Ramp on the north channel of the Shark River is great. Seems to be good at any tide, great concrete pad. I've used the Belmar Marina ramp for 4 years for in and out at the begining and end of the year but used the Bry's Ramp this year and was very impressed. I launch a 25 mako and the ramp gave me no problem, simple to use. Check the position of the end of the cancrete though, I think it's around the second pilling off the dock on either side. You can get a key in advance from Mac's Bait and Tackle and just leave it in the drop box next to the ramp. You can also purchase a year pass. This ramp is way more melow than the Belmar Municipal one.

[SeaSaw]

Thanks for all the helpful info on the shark river inlet.

[Shedman]

The Belmar Municipal Ramp really sucks at low tide. Trailer goes in tilted and its a hassle getting the boat on straight. Especially if its crowded and people are acting like they have to get in or out like there is no tommorrow. Thumbs down on that ramp for me.

[Striperswiper12]

I have my boat in a slip in SR and trailer it out for the winter.

The best ramp is Bry's on the north channel (South Concourse Dr).
You have to get a ramp key at Mac's Bait and Tackle 1301 Hwy35 Neptune.

Depending on the height of your vessel you may be able to launch from Bry's and go out the north channel under the rr tracks.

If not travel south along the channel and exit under the Rt 35 bridge. The rr has a draw bridge at this location.

Fishing is mostly north of SRI on the rock piles off Long Branch and Monmouth Beach.

Trolling wire line w/ umbrella rigs, shad rigs, parachute jigs or bunker spoons is very effective. You'll get alot of hangups on the rocks so pay attention to your fishfinder and adjust you depth acordingly.

Jigging while drifting using butterfly jigs, crippled herrings, diamond jigs, bucktails , ava's ect is also effective.

At night fishing live eels or sand worms is deadly but you have to know where to fish.

The tide in the north channel is very fast, I mean very fast, use caution when exiting or entering the ramp area. The first couple of times I'd try to hit it a slack tide so you get the hang of it.

Most boats are on 65 or 68.

Capt Brian