Highlands or Shark River?

[JusGlase]

Thanks so much for all of the help guys! Had no notification of responses!

So heres my deal. I will be living in Long Branch and dont want to have to deal with horrible traffic getting to the boat.

I would say I do a mix of fishing. Mostly I just want to be able to jump on the boat and do some fishing. I do a lot of business in the neptune area so figured being in the shark river would let me get on the boat most often.

I was thinking Shark River Yacht Club, has anyone had any experience there?

The big downside for me doing Highlands is that from where I will be living in Pier Village its a long drive up along the ocean and in the summer I think that will be a pretty annoying drive.

I also was thinking if I did keep the boat in Shark River and wanted to go up to the raritan bay to do some fishing the ride isnt too horrible.

the one great thing about keeping the boat in Highlands is the ability to fish the bay when the ocean is nasty.

I am shipping the boat up from Florida so have about a week to decide. There really are such pros and cons with each. I used to be in the Manasquan River which was ideal but that just doesnt work anymore for me.

Again I thank you all so much for your suggestions!

[Capt. Lou]

I kept a boat there for several years , nice marina however they may have a water depth issue, plus back channel from what several were saying dredged improperly !
The municipal is excellent nice floaters , good storm protection, private access plenty of water .

[bassnbucks]

I,m at Shark River Yacht Club. Most of the time we have clearance under the north channel bridges. Very short ride to the ocean.There are issues with low water at low tide closer to the bulkhead.The current does move pretty fast but not too bad once you get used to it.Very nice group of people that always help each other out.

[JusGlase]

bassnbucks, how far out would I need to be do you think to always have 2.5-3ft? I am going down tomorrow to see Seth. Nice to hear from someone who slips there! Just really dont want to do something and then regret it. I figure if the fish are in the raritan bay I can run up there, not the end of the world, but that being in shark river will give me the opportunity to do some trolling offshore, head to the reefs etc

[bassnbucks]

On my dock you need to be halfway to the end of the dock..Your best bet is to check it out at low tide to be sure.

[Billfish715]

Pleasure Bay or Oceanport Landing. Google them for directions.

Both are about 10 minutes from you. Good crabbing, river fluke ( Shrewsbury and Navesink, close to Sandy Hook Bay. It's worth a look. If you want to be close to your boat, that's where I would look.

[Sharkyispy]

Shark River Municipal Marina is a nice marina, very clean, nice floating docks, new clubhouse Water levels fairly decent unless at back end of areas. Channels are normally OK and hoping dredging made better. Fairly quick access to inlet and ocean, also have options of heading north up to Shrewsbury/Rocks and structure or south to Sea Girt area or others that have good fishing also. As mentioned Mudhole is @ 12+ miles out at beginning from Shark River.

[EddieG]

You will spend most of your time in mud at the SRYC.. I remember many of days waiting for the tide to rise in order to get into the slip.. sea view Marina is right down the road from there and you will have no problems with getting the boat in or out..

[stugots]

Check out oceanport landing or pleasure bay yacht club in oceanport or Patten point yacht club. All very close to you in the Shrewsbury and you don't have to deal with the ocean Ave traffic.

[JusGlase]

So I went to check out Gateway Marina today in Highlands and think I am going to go with it. Current can get pretty nasty but the staff were super nice, plus theyre great Yamaha techs. Looked at Shark River Yacht Club todya, was dead low tide. Looked like less than a foot of water halfway out the docks, wont work for me.

Was also a quick drive from Gateway to Pier Village and being there gives me the ability to stay in the bay when the ocean is rough etc, few restaurants to tie up at, etc. So i think thats my move! I want to thank you all again SO much for the help. Awesome message board I look forward to returning the favor sometime