Which way out - LEI

[PAPete]

I've been heading out of LEI for a few years now, and it still seems to be an adventure for me...
With Beach Haven Inlet to the north and Little Egg Inlet to the south of the 'general inlet area'...as I understand it, anyway. Crappy pic attached.

I usually traverse the north side of the inlet...'Beach Haven Inlet'? and at times come across some skinny water.

I usually don't go the south side of the inlet area 'Little Egg Inlet', just because I really never have. I usually play it pretty safe and wait for someone that knows what they're doing before i go out, and just follow them.

What's the best way you've found to go out of the inlet?
Are the cans to the south side trustworthy?
I fished a bit in the rips in that area, and man....it's scary with that tide ripping in and out!!!!

Any thoughts on the best way to traverse this area are greatly appreciated!!!!
I just want to get out for crying out loud!

Thanks!
Pete

[JoeyZac]

There's actually 3 ways out:

1. What we call the "North Cut". Go to the southern tip of LBI and make a left. Used to be the official "Beach Haven Inlet" (I believe), but the water is shallow. I've never had a problem getting in or out there, but at low tides I know I've "bumped" the bottom a couple of times.

2. The "Center Cut", or the "New" Little Egg Inlet. This is straight out the inlet, marked, deep water the whole way, and the way that most boats now use. Pretty bad sand bars on both sides (especially the north), but it is fine as long as you know what you're doing.

3. The old "Little Egg Inlet", off to the South. Lots of bars and low water. No longer marked with any buoys. Still doable, but there's no real reason to ever go that way (imo) unless you're sneaking your way down to Wreck Inlet.

[Sea Monkey]

I'd never try the old path (off to the south) any more. Last year I wandered out there a few times to see, but the skinny water and sand bars get really scary really fast. It's really bad there when the current is running hard. If you're headed south I'd use the center (marked) channel, then when you get out make your turn and head down.

I almost always run the north cut and although it gets shallow, I've never bumped. (Admittedly, I'm a fair weather guy so I've not tried it when it has been nasty in the inlet.)

[Captain Rich]

I came in via the north cut yesterday at low tide. The shallowest I saw was 5 feet.

[Mischief51]

Every time the coasties replace the buoys a whomper storm comes in and they break free or sink! The north cut is nice, or the middle...

[The Irish Jig]

I have never seen water less than 5-6' in the north cut. Dead low, I take the center cut if i'm in the big boat. The little boat it doesn't matter. If it's a blow out low tide, I use the center cut period.