Coast Guard: Watch For Sandbars, Debris; Obey Boating Laws

National Safe Boating Week begins Saturday

National Safe Boating Week kicks off Saturday, May 18, and Patch caught up with the folks at U.S. Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet for some tips as we enter the Shore's first boating season since Superstorm Sandy.

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Fishing Friday

Local Anglers Finding Striped Bass

Both the party boat crowd and shore-based locals getting in on the action

As local anglers try their collective hands at spring fishing after a tough winter all around, the striped bass seem to be cooperating as water temperatures slowly rise. Starting in the northern reaches of this column's publication area, the crew of the Big Mohawk out of Belmar finished their blackfish season this week and decided to dabble in the bass fishery on Tuesday. The result: everyone on board got their limit of stripers. "I know that is what so many of you have been waiting to hear," Capt. Chris wrote on the boat's website. The boat, which sails 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, had a similarly good day Thursday after taking Wednesday off. Few reports came in from the suds in the Manasquan and Point Pleasant areas, but anecdotally, anglers …

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Waves Pound Local Beaches, Wind Roars As Nor'Easter Moves In

VIDEO: Water rushes in Manasquan Inlet, no dune washovers yet, transformer blows along Route 35 near Ocean Beach Shores

Water rushed quickly into Manasquan Inlet as winds began to gust, and ocean waves crashed hard against the shore, nearly reaching dune berms that had been pushed up to mitigate potential damage as a nor'easter began to make its presence known at the Jersey Shore. Back bay water levels ran low at low tide however, though they were expected to reach several feet above normal at high tide Wednesday. As high tide approached on the oceanfront, no washover was observed on Route 35, however there were scattered reports of power outages. A transformer blew and wires could be seen arcing along Route 35 South near Toms River's Ocean Beach Shores neighborhood.

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VIDEO: Waves, Some Flooding at Manasquan Inlet

Swells coming over 'the wall' on Point Pleasant Beach side

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Hurricane Sandy

Point Pleasant Beach: Stay Out of Town!

Police ask that people stay away from beach and boardwalk

Point Pleasant Beach police are strongly urging that people not come to town to look at the ocean or Manasquan Inlet. "We seem to be having an influx of people coming into town in order to look at the ocean and inlet," said Detective Pat Petruzziello early Sunday afternoon. He said police are strongly urging people "to not come into town for this purpose as we are in the midst of a mandatory evacuation." The police are currently working on getting residents and visitors east of the NJ Transit train tracks, on Arnold Avenue and Route 35 north, out of town as quickly as possible and by a 4 p.m. deadline at the latest. For the residents east of the tracks who are still in their homes, police are issuing the following reminder: "The Point …

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Point Beach Workers Save 3 Trapped in Inlet Rocks Thurs. Night

Police, fire and first aid work together to save a woman, a man and a boy

Point Beach police, fire and first aid responders worked in the cold, rising tide of the Manasquan Inlet waters Thursday night to save a woman and a boy who had tried to save her himself. Maureen Bush, 29, Manchester, fell between sharp, craggy rocks into the inlet water, and Daniel Reinhardt, 16, who had tried to save her, are both OK after being rescued by the emergency responders, said Police Detective Clint Daniel. "The 16-year-old boy was fantastic and should be commended," Daniel said at police headquarters Thursday night. "He tried to get her out, but it was just too slippery. Everyone worked together and did a great job." Daniel said the incident should be a wake-up call to everyone to never go on the inlet rocks, which are …

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Fishing Friday

Fishing Seasons Open, Close This Week

Sea bass, fluke affected by changes

The upcoming weekend will be some New Jersey anglers' last chance to catch summer flounder on a day off. The season closes Sept. 28, a week from today. Reports this week showed fluke action wasn't too bad up and down the coast, with decent catches reported in the easternmost sections of the Manasquan River and occasional nice fish being caught at Barnegat Inlet as well. According to a report from The Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights, fluke were being beached in that town by surf anglers who were using various baits. Even for the ocean, Berkley Gulp baits were mostly preferred by anglers. A keeper fluke is 17.5 inches under the 2012 regulations. On the good news front, sea bass fishing will reopen Sunday. The minimum size limit for this …

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Fluke On The Bite at the Shore

Captains reporting better catches this week

The fluke bite is finally attracting the attention of more captains as the season gets into full swing for the tasty flatfish. On board the Jamaica II party boat out of Brielle, fluke are "getting in the chewing mood more and more each day," said Capt. Ryan. According to the captain's report, the best action has been seen off the beach, and anglers this week have been putting together a nice collection of keepers. Anecdotally, I've heard about steady fluke fishing all week in the Manasquan River. As usual, try the channel edges off Clark's Landing and the small channels just west of the Route 35 bridge. There's no huge secrets or tactical approaches required in the Manasquan. Pick your spot and fish! In Barnegat Bay, blues continued to be …

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Fishing Friday

Cod, Ling Catches Up On the Party Boats

Local boats seeing better action recently

Local captains reported better action over the past week this week, as the winter cod and ling fisheries began to heat up. High winds kept the party boat Gambler at the dock earlier this week, but the last time lines were dropped, fishing (more specifically, catching) was good. "On Monday, we had a good catch of ling and a few cod," Capt. Bob said on the boat's website. "Bill Bryne of Toms River caught about two dozen ling, an 8 pound purple hake and a 6 pound cod. Weather permitting, we'll be fishing everyday." There were some good numbers reported on board the Jamaica II party boat out of Brielle as well. "The wreckmasters" are running 12 hour and 14 hour cod-long combination trips these days. Ling have been found in the deep on recent …

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