spear fishing locations

[NJfishingMike]

anyone have any recommendations or good experiences on good places to spear fish? Thanks

[PAMonger]

In the ocean. :D

[Dino]

anyone have any recommendations or good experiences on good places to spear fish? Thanks

Jersey is tough mike, but there are some good spots. The inlet jetties all hold bass and blackfish, triggers fluke etc, but You have to have the stars align between visibility, the tide, currents that day, boat traffic, and other guys diving that spot. I would try to go on a weekday ..be safe it can get sketchy real fast around the jetties . I went behind ibsp and dove on the flats and channels back there once to try to avoid all that and it was beautiful and wide open but all I saw were horshoe crabs and 5" baby sea bass

[dfish28]

Allenhurst and deal... Deal esplanade ave is the shite! The inlets are good but SRI had a time restriction so you have to time the dead tides/days: shot many youge tog there, both sides, bass,wweaks,bugs,trigs,flounder... But the areas in deal have a lot of rocks under water... Free beach and typically not crowded... Bring a flag and be careful on the jetty if you hop off the ends! Good luck, let us know how ya made out!

[ALS Mako]

used to see guys in Belmar over by the tennis courts. not much boat traffic if you stay out of the channels. i'm sure visability and seaweed can be an issue but spearfishers that I saw always did good with keeper fluke.

[njdiver]

Allenhurst and deal... Deal esplanade ave is the shite! The inlets are good but SRI had a time restriction so you have to time the dead tides/days: shot many youge tog there, both sides, bass,wweaks,bugs,trigs,flounder... But the areas in deal have a lot of rocks under water... Free beach and typically not crowded... Bring a flag and be careful on the jetty if you hop off the ends! Good luck, let us know how ya made out!

Borough of Deal

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6-4 Bathing in Unprotected Waters

6-4.1 Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to swim or bathe in the waters off or bounding the borough except at a protected beach.

6-4.2 Definitions. For the purposes of this section, a protected beach is defined as one which has the following equipment and personnel:

a. Two parallel lines of sound, serviceable and strong manila or hemp rope, not less than one inch in diameter, anchored at some point above high water. Such lines shall be made to extend as far into the surf as bathing is ordinarily safe for persons who are not expert in swimming, and, at such points of safety, shall be anchored and buoyed. Such points shall be at least far enough seaward so that at low tide the depth of the water at such points is at least five feet. Such lines shall be such distance apart so as to provide and identify the space set apart for such bathing and swimming.

b. Shall have, available for use, within 25 feet of the water's edge, a life boat not less than ten feet long and equipped with one or more sets of oars and oarlocks and shall have available for use at least one life ring buoy or life preserver attached to a life line consisting of nylon, manila or hemp rope not less than one-quarter inch in diameter, and not less than one hundred feet in length, which shall be kept properly coiled in such boat so as to be capable of being freely thrown. Such life boat shall be of sturdy construction and of such type as to be suitable for use in the surf.

c. A duly qualified lifeguard, who shall be an expert swimmer, who shall be in constant and watchful attendance upon the bathers and swimmers and who shall give assistance to or rescue bathers and swimmers who may be in danger or distress.

6-4.3 Protected Beaches.

For the purposes of this section, the Phillips Avenue Pavilion and the Deal Casino beaches, during the periods of the day and year when each is open for use shall be considered protected beaches.

6-4.4.1.1 Owner or Lessee Not To Permit Bathing.

It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant or lessee of any beach, or of the upland abutting any beach, other than a protected beach, to invite, encourage, permit or accommodate any person to bathe or swim in the waters alongside such beach.

6-4.5 Violation.

Any person who violates this section shall be liable to a fine of not more than $100.00 for the first offense and for a subsequent offense, to a fine of not more than $500.00, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.


http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Deal-nj


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[solefishin]

Manasquan inlet is a great spot . i have watched guys fill a cooler with blackfish and fluke . the best time is slack tide cause of the strong current .

[njdiver]

*** NEW JERSEY REGISTER, VOL. 47, NO. 3, February 2, 2015 ***
TITLE 13. LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
CHAPTER 82. BOATING REGULATIONS
SUBCHAPTER 3. OPERATIONAL REGULATIONS


§ 13:82-3.17 Diving and swimming

(a) General provisions with respect to diving and swimming are as follows:

1. Underwater diving with or without an underwater apparatus is permitted in all navigable waters in New Jersey unless otherwise prohibited in this section.

2. Any person while diving shall mark his or her position with a buoyed flag:

i. Such flag shall be displayed so that it is visible all around the horizon from a buoy, float, boat or other floating object;

ii. Such flag shall be a minimum of 14 inches by 16 inches, shall be rigid to enhance visibility and shall be a red background with a white diagonal stripe running from one corner to the other.

3. No person shall operate a vessel within 50 feet of the buoyed flag.

4. No person shall display a flag at times other than when diving is in progress.

5. No person shall swim or dive in a narrow, confined or improved channel or in a marked fairway, under a bridge, or impede, obstruct or interfere with passage of watercraft therein.

6. No diver shall surface more than 25 feet from the buoyed flag except in an emergency.

(b) Provisions for Manasquan Inlet are as follows:

1. Underwater diving shall be permitted in the Manasquan Inlet only within 50 feet from the stone jetties and bulkheads.

2. Underwater diving is permitted only in the area east of an imaginary line drawn from Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, extended to a point across the inlet at First Avenue, Manasquan.

(c) Provisions for Barnegat Inlet are as follows:

1. Except as provided in this subsection, no person or persons shall, while engaged in goggle fishing, spearfishing or skin diving, enter into any navigable channel or approach within 200 feet of any boat anchored or underway within the water adjacent to the land areas of the Borough of Barnegat Light.

2. No person shall dive in any of the waters of the Barnegat Inlet channel.

3. Skin and Scuba diving is permitted from the north and south jetties, but no person shall dive further than 25 feet from the rock jetty or bulkhead within the inlet.

4. No person shall dive within Barnegat Inlet between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. on Saturdays and Sundays from June 1 to September 30.

5. A diver shall mark his or her position with a float and skin diver's flag.

6. Only "buddy diving" shall be permitted in the Barnegat Inlet.

7. Recreational diving is prohibited within 100 feet of the north monument.

8. Recreational diving is prohibited within the inlet when the current is at flood.

(d) Provisions for Shark River Inlet are as follows:

1. Underwater diving is permitted in the Shark River Inlet in that area which lies east of a line extending from the northwest end of A Street in Belmar to the southeast end of First Avenue in Avon.

2. Divers shall stay within 25 feet of the jetties and bulkheads in the area described.

3. A diver shall mark his or her position with a float and skin diver's flag.

4. No diver shall surface more than 15 feet from the buoyed flag except in an emergency.

5. No underwater diving shall be permitted in Shark River Inlet between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. during the period each year commencing May 1 terminating October 1.

http://scubanj.org/NJdiverules.html

[NJfishingMike]

Is there any spots at the Atlantic highlands or on the Hook?

[shrimpman steve]

This is not a lie! A good friend of mine spearfished a MAKO a few weeks ago. 175 lbs. I have pictures but won't post as his identity will remain unknown. He free dove in the slick till it showed up. Sick dude!! But a good friend

[njdiver]

Is there any spots at the Atlantic highlands or on the Hook?

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The activities described here are inherently hazardous and should only be engaged in by physically fit and experienced divers. All risks of injury are assumed by individual participants, who are responsible for taking appropriate safety precautions, and using appropriate equipment when diving.

Last Updated: September 5, 2013

http://www.nps.gov/submerged/homepage/npsmap2.html


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SANDY HOOK UNIT

The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in New Jersey has an entirely different character from its congested metropolitan sister unit across the bay. Sandy Hook is essentially a 1,600-acre spit that forms the southern "gate" to New York Harbor. Though accessible by boat and road, this area-a former military base, now a Coast Guard station-is free of much of the commercial sprawl that typifies most New York City beaches. Due to the current and past military presence, some of the things you might find underwater are also of a military nature. On the Atlantic side, it can be ordnance of the explosive kind. Don't fool with such material.

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DIVING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Diver-down flag must be displayed while divers are in the water.

No artifacts may be removed from any shipwreck or historic site that is in National Park waters.

When taking game, the state game laws apply for whatever state you are diving.

http://www.nps.gov/submerged/Parks/GATE.html


Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property
Chapter I - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Part 2 - RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION

Section 2.3 - Fishing.

Part 3 - BOATING AND WATER USE ACTIVITIES

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§ 3.18 May I snorkel or underwater dive in park waters?
(a) Snorkeling and underwater diving is allowed in park waters, subject to closures or restrictions designated by the superintendent in accordance with §§ 1.5 and 1.7 of this chapter.

(b) In waters open to the use of vessels, a diver must prominently display a dive flag during dive operations. A dive flag must not be displayed unless dive operations are ongoing.

(c) The dive flag must be illuminated when dive operations take place between sunset and sunrise. The dive flag illumination may not consist of lights that may be confused with navigation lights or aids to navigation lights.
(d) While on the surface, submerging or surfacing the diver must remain within a 100 feet horizontal radius of the diver flag.

(e) If State laws or regulations exist concerning snorkeling activities, those provisions of State law or regulation are adopted.

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http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title36-vol1/pdf/CFR-2012-title36-vol1-sec3-18.pdf



National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Superintendent's Compendium
Of Designations, Closures, Permit
Requirements and Other Restrictions
Imposed Under Discretionary Authority.

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CFR §3.18 - SCUBA AND SNORKELING

(a) SCUBA diving and snorkeling is subject to the following restrictions:

 SCUBA and snorkeling is subject the provisions of NY and NJ state laws.

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36 CFR §2.3 – FISHING

(e) Fishing in salt waters with net, spear or weapon, are authorized in the following areas only and in the following manner:

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• No designated areas. Fishing with net, spear, or weapon is in accordance with state law.

Fishing restrictions are necessary for the protection of park resources, to avoid visitor use conflicts, visitor safety, and to insure compliance with state laws.

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http://www.nps.gov/gate/parkmgmt/upload/2014-Compendium-Aug_Update.pdf

[njdiver]

Sandy Hook SCUBA Diving Rules

(As compiled from existing documents.)

e-CFR data is current as of April 15, 2015

Title 36 → Chapter I → Part 3
TITLE 36—Parks, Forests, and Public Property
CHAPTER I—NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PART 3—BOATING AND WATER USE ACTIVITIES

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§3.18 May I snorkel or underwater dive in park waters?

(a) Snorkeling and underwater diving is allowed in park waters, subject to closures or restrictions designated by the superintendent in accordance with §§1.5 and 1.7 of this chapter.

(b) In waters open to the use of vessels, a diver must prominently display a dive flag during dive operations. A dive flag must not be displayed unless dive operations are ongoing.

(c) The dive flag must be illuminated when dive operations take place between sunset and sunrise. The dive flag illumination may not consist of lights that may be confused with navigation lights or aids to navigation lights.

(d) While on the surface, submerging or surfacing the diver must remain within a 100 feet horizontal radius of the diver flag.

(e) If State laws or regulations exist concerning snorkeling activities, those provisions of State law or regulation are adopted.

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Superintendent's Compendium

Date:08/19/2014

In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (''36 CFR"), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service (NPS), within the boundaries of Gateway National Recreation Area.

Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7
Written determinations; which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent's use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5

(c), appear in this document identified by italicized print.

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General Closures

Fishing is prohibited on lifeguard protected beaches when lifeguards are on duty. This includes fifty yards up the beach from the red lifeguard flags marking the ends of the protected swim areas.

Due to waves and tides fishing lines drift into the swim areas and pose a hazard to swimmers unless lines are cast at least 50 yards outside of the red flagged protected area.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New York Department of Environmental Conservation has closed and "condemned" certain waters to the harvesting or collecting of shellfish. The waters around the park are included in this closure.

Harvesting shellfish in these areas is prohibited by state law.

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AREA DESIGNATIONS

(a)(2) The following areas have been designated for a specific use or activity, under the conditions and/or restrictions as noted:

· Scuba diving and snorkeling are prohibited in guarded areas.

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CFR §3.18 - SCUBA AND SNORKELING

(a) SCUBA diving and snorkeling is subject to the following restrictions:
 SCUBA and snorkeling is subject the provisions of NY and NJ state laws.

(Snip) = Unrelated material deleted.