Spermaceti cove?

[shrimpman steve]

Would like to take the kids out for a fun time on the dirty shrimp. I've seen boats at anchor in the cove with peeps hangin on the beach. Anybody ever do this?

[Duffman]

All the time. Forget weekends mid summer, its a zoo.

Nice deep anchorage on the SE side of Skeleton Hill.

Be careful how you enter. Everything to the north and west is pretty shallow. Come down the channel entering the Shrewsbury and you will start to turn left just past the #9 green can. There is a deeper cut that will take you right to the island. Just watch your plotter.

Just don't hang out after dark, the Park Rangers will come out to you...trust me...:D

[Gerry Zagorski]

Like Duff said, go during the week... Be careful in there if you go too far in, there is an old submerged rock jetty you could hit during low tide. Take it from someone who know$. Mushroomed my prop and ruined my lower unit there a few years back.

The chart below will help. Have not been there since Sandy but know a few people who have. The red line outside the channel markers heading NE to the area you will want to anchor (red circle) has filled in some but apparently still has 5 or so feet of water in it. As you can see you don't want make your turn too tight on the 9 can. All this stuff should be on your chart plotter too.

Have fun

[shrimpman steve]

Thanks guys! Great information. I guess you anchor the boat then swim to the beach? Is it a good idea to leave the boat unattended?

[Duffman]

No swimming. Drop off in the cove is dramatic. 2 steps off the sand and you'll drop to 10 feet at HT.

[No Keepers]

I fish that channel during the week. I don't know what type of electronics you have, but I only have a fish finder. If you line yourself up with the A-Frame house in Highlands and the cedar trees you should find the channel.

[Capt. Debbie]

Exactly! Used to be called the old clammers channel.

The beach has a staggering drop off. two anchors are ideal if tide is coming in. Want stern anchor to keep boat perpendicular to beach. Bow will be plowed into the sand and come off as the tide comes in.

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I fish that channel during the week. I don't know what type of electronics you have, but I only have a fish finder. If you line yourself up with the A-Frame house in Highlands and the cedar trees you should find the channel.

[shrimpman steve]

Had a great time. Thanks for all the info

[xperks22]

I know this is an old thread but wanted to know if the circled area on Gerry's navionics picture is where the rock wall is ? I have been wanting to go in to the cove but have been worried about this damn rock wall messing up the boat.

[Gerry Zagorski]

You need to be careful in there especially as the tide nears low.

That circle is filled with all sorts of rocks and you want to stay clear of it.

Best thing is to anchor right inside the point as close to the point as possible. Use 2 anchors, one off the bow which you set in the sand right on the beach and nudge your bow up on the sand. The other in the water off your stern to keep your stern in the deeper water. It drops off very quick there and you can adjust your ropes as the tide rises and falls.

For your first time in there, I would avoid the area if it's crowded (which limits where you can anchor) windy (which can blow your boat in an area you don't want it to be) or you are around low tide. This is especially true if you have an inboard and can't tilt up the engine or drive.

[xperks22]

Thanks Gerry, i will take all of that into consideration.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Here is an updated chart... You will see things have changed a bit....

The red circle is where you want to anchor up

[xperks22]

Perfect very helpful. I appreciate it

[Dupes]

I go there most weekends in the summer. I try to get there early to get a spot on the beach. Most people will assist you to get setup when you pull in.

[shrimpman steve]

Had a blast last year. Highly reccomend it. Maybe an nj fishing party day next year

[Duffman]

. Maybe an nj fishing party day next year

That would be great! Set a date, would be a cool raft up for sure.

[dfish28]

Sounds cool!! And we can all fish deeper water when Joey gets that bait launcher!!
Did you hear he got a flukesasaurus last season?

[Joey Dah Fish]

You need to be careful in there especially as the tide nears low.

That circle is filled with all sorts of rocks and you want to stay clear of it.

Best thing is to anchor right inside the point as close to the point as possible. Use 2 anchors, one off the bow which you set in the sand right on the beach and nudge your bow up on the sand. The other in the water off your stern to keep your stern in the deeper water. It drops off very quick there and you can adjust your ropes as the tide rises and falls.

For your first time in there, I would avoid the area if it's crowded (which limits where you can anchor) windy (which can blow your boat in an area you don't want it to be) or you are around low tide. This is especially true if you have an inboard and can't tilt up the engine or drive.
Sounds like you had a bad experience there :o