Water Gap Boat Ramp

[Fred E. Goose]

Hey guys, I had a question I'm hoping you could help me out on. I have a 12ft aluminum semi-v (basically a row boat) with an electric trolling motor as the only propulsion (I have an emergency plastic oar as backup). I've had it out locally on monksville, pompton/potash, and green turtle last year and am looking to fish some new areas. I know Swartswood is electric only, and I'm excited about getting out on there. My big question though, is would this set-up be safe to launch and fish the area just north of the water gap (launching at the campground ramp)? I'd really like your input if it's safe at all? If it's safer to head North or South from that area? Or if it's just a bad idea and I should stick to Swartswood?

Thanks in advance,

Fred

[NJSquatch]

The delaware can be sketchy with shallow areas that come out of nowhere and floating debris. Need to be very alert.

As far as other spots, check out the DEP site. A ton of places that you can use your setup in the NW counties.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm

[Skunk City]

The D can get sketchy in spots, and both upstream and downstream of that gap ramp are rocky rapids.

Furnace, Mountain and Big/Little Swartswood are good spots for your boat, in addition to the places you mentioned.

[Mikey topaz]

Seen a few guys fishing the gap with electrics in fall me personally i dont think its a good idea u get out in that current ur done lit sketchy man,

[PAFireGuy]

The boats not a problem, I'd be concerned with the ability of the electric motor in the current. Don't underestimate the force of the current in that area.

[Walleyed]

I wasn't willing to take my 14' out there with a 5hp, I waited until I upgraded to a 9.9. Get caught in the wrong current and you're going for the proverbial boat ride.

[icebadger]

there is a cove by the poxono boat launch, the river is pretty wide there you might not get in to much trouble there. the big "d" can be deceiving, please be careful out there. god bless and good luck.

[Fred E. Goose]

Wow! Thanks guys for the quick and informative responses. This site is great! Since there are so many options in this area, I think I'll play it safe and keep the boat on the lakes and fish the big D' from land. Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

[Fred E. Goose]

The boats not a problem, I'd be concerned with the ability of the electric motor in the current. Don't underestimate the force of the current in that area.

That's really the problem, underestimating the current. I've fished from land different spots around there and it looks so slow-moving that I got it in my head that I could get out there and back no problemo.

[Meat Hunter]

Isn't that launch closed to powered boats now? I guess you're good with electric. Them are GOOD spots to fish near the Gap! Jig and a minnow, jig and gulp, lamprey eel and jig.

[Chrisper4694]

Simple solution, don't travel downstream from where you know. Don't go anywhere you wouldn't go in a kayak or canoe.

[Bruce Litton]

Poxono has that dead water cove, but not too good (although a huge largemouth once smashed topwater), need to get out in the current & up--and it's powerful up. But if the river is LOW and you launch AT the Gap, the park service launch, you might be OK with an electric up to the I-80 bridge, and that's nice fishing there. I guess you can always launch in low water & see if you make headway, and if not, just beach and pull the boat back to the ramp & so be it, but my guess is that with river low, it would be no problem.