Great Egg Inlet

[GringoDan]

A buddy of mine and I want to fish his 18 ft. Crestliner in the Back bays. I wanted to know how safe (or un-safe) it would be to try to get out front in this boat. Having surfed those North Ocean City beaches for years and seen massive bunker schools right off of them, it seems like a decent idea, on a calm day. Seen lotts of fish caught off those jetties as well. Just a little squirrely about heading out the inlet, in a boat that sits as low as this. Any help would be great. Thanks !!

Dan

[fmTuna]

Since you asked the question... I think you already know the answer... even on a calm day the wind can pick up a little and be against the tide making GE a little nasty... then there are the big boys with their big wakes when you want to see them the least..

I see plenty of skiffs do it.. so the answer is yes, you can... but be super careful

[meanbean8111]

Exactly what Ed said. You seem to know enough to realize you can get way more than you bargained for very quickly.

[GringoDan]

Thanks boys!! That's about what I was expecting. This boat draws about 6 inches of water. If we were to do it, what would the best route to take, knowing this boat can run in extremely shallow water?

[fmTuna]

Shallow water in an inlet means shoal waves.... the calmest way out is across the tips of the two jetties, but tidal movement can throw a couple nasty swells across the two of them, or a strong tidal rip off the end of either one can make for a nasty line to cross even with no wind.... there is no good answer for you, ya just have to look before you go.

[AJ168]

Try not to go when the tide is changing too. That makes a huge difference. One second the inlet can be almost flat, then as soon as the tide starts ripping, you've got 3-5's.

[Capt Steve]

The rockpile is almost always the best way to get out the inlet. If it is too rough there, you probably want to stay inside. Also, a SW wind against the strong outgoing tide can make the marked channel right dicey. You can also run out to 5 buoy and turn down the beach across the bars. that will get you off OC without having to run out to the bell. If it is SW and strong, get in before the tide starts to run off.

[Cabo]

I was going to ask the same question as GringoDan. We would be using a 18.5 Boston Whaler Dauntless ?

[MakoBill]

Cabo...a lot of truth in what's said above. Capt Steve runs this inlet every day. The rockpile is a nice quick route out, but as Steve said, if you are going South his route is much quicker. There are times I've come up the beach from OC and made the run past the bell to come in the Longport rockpile. It's only about 100 yards to get in comapred to maybe a good mile through the channel. With the wind against the tide it can look like a roller coaster. :D

[sweet release1]

eelball you on here today?this thread is all yours.would you go eelbal http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_33_7.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZZ) i know the answer.but for real you have to be safe first and with a 18 foot boat in the fall ,out front?well not very safe.have i done it? YES.but really anxious all day.i think i will leave the out front trips to my friends and there big boats.,matt





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb114&pp=ZZ (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb114_ZZ&utm_id=7922)

[GringoDan]

Details?????:eek: I'm definitely not willing to risk my life for a fish, but I've seen some small, skiff-like boats right off those beaches, so figured I'd ask. Sounds like Eelball has a hell of a story!!:D

[fmTuna]

the inlet is eelball country.... and a few other characters.... candyman, red eye nester, salty shaker..... it is a large and "prestigious" barnatorium... :D

[feelingrady]

What is the heading going out along the Longport rock pile? How far off the rocks do you need to stay?

[eelball]

How well do you know that inlet? I run my 17' Carolina Skiff in and out ALOT! Sure, when it's flat(west, NW winds) its a cake walk.
I've had my skiff over 10miles out in 3-4'. I had to pull the plug so the water coming in would run out, but never did I feel in danger. As long as i kept moving.
18' -no problem. Just make sure you take your time going in and out and know where the sand bars are.
I'm always looking for someone to run with me on Thursdays and fridays if you want a first hand looksie.
There are 2 channels. one is marked, and the other more shallow one, runs by the longport rocks. That one can get dicey when there is a swell and at different tide stages. The Northern sandbar near it is constantly shifting, so pay attention before entering or exiting thru there.
any other questions I can help with, I'd be happy to answer.
BTW, the bite has turned on in that general area. Guys using clams on the pier have been limiting out with fish up to 36".:D

[Capt Steve]

To tell you how to run the rocks would not be a good idea since conditions and boat handling skill varies but a line from the end of the outside rocks to the green turn buoy is a start. You have to read the water and go in or out on a high tide watching your DF. I also run a track the 1st time and then save it as a route on my E series so it is easier from then on.

[GringoDan]

Eelball,

Unfortunately we don't know the inlet particularly well, which is why I asked. I don't own my own boat (yet), and my buddy's boat is a flat bottom, aluminum boat, that he uses to fish the Upper Del. River. The inlet is something we'd only try under the most optimal conditions.

When you say guys are limiting out in the area near the pier, are you talking about the one where the OLD Longport Bridge was?

Since we'll be trailering, is there a better place to put in, besides Tenn. Ave ramp in OC??

[Beatsworkin']

Gringo Dan

In Ventnor, right at Dorset Ave. is a free public ramp with parking.
Right near the ICW.
3 miles to the GE inlet.

[GringoDan]

BW, Thanks!!! :)

[Slave to the Grind]

Wear a life vest...

[C-phase]

I run my 16' Aluminum Lowe with 25 Hp tiller in and out of this inlet often "Longport cut", (granted it is only on the flatest days.)
Took the boy out and he had a ball catching good sized croakers this year off the elephant.

I had heard that the coast gaurd chased a few guy out of the ocaen in small craft such as mine, any truth to that rumor?

[striperaholic]

I run that same gut whe nit is flat out. I have a 16' pram. As for coastguard I have never been bothered by them xcept at the longport oc bridge at night. Once in awhile they chase you off.