Free ramps?

[Blind Archer]

Are there any decent free ramps with ocean access left in NJ?

[shrimpman steve]

Don't know bout free ramps in jersey, but the ramps down here ware free and beutiful! Wide, great shape. It's paradise. Except for the heat. It's like living in the Devils anus:eek:

[BugEye Chris]

The only free ramp u know of is sewaren before fluke season starts and after mis September

[Blind Archer]

Mass. , Delaware, probably most of the east coast too. I did a week in So. Florida in the second week of July. My mid summers tan got burnt like an albino. The
Devil's anus... a good guess, those dark clumps aren't coal.

[PortlyRedhead]

There's a free ramp at GSP Exit 0. Cross the Cape May Canal and take the first right on the south side of the bridge - you'll see the ramp right in front of you.

From there, you'll enjoy free access to the Old Grounds, Cape May Reef, Cape May Rips, and all of the Delaware Bay - the bay side of the canal is less than 10 minutes away and the ocean is about 8 minutes away past the Coast Guard base.

Question - If the ramp costs 4-5 gallons of gas, would that cause you to fish somewhere else?

[Capt. Debbie]

Question - If the ramp costs 4-5 gallons of gas, would that cause you to fish somewhere else?


That's worth its weight. The seasonal ramps are out. You want one timers pay per use ramps.

Raritan Bay Access- Keyport, Sewaren, Keansburg, Sayreville, South Amboy, Elizabeth, Zubacks, Leonardo, Atlantic Highlands

That's for starters. About $20 per use typically (or 6 gallons of "go further" gas)

[the1jonc]

I agree with Capt Frank.

You can launch for free in Long Branch on River Lance. Loooong ride to the Hook from there.

Further South in Little Egg Harbor on 7 Bridges Blvd there is a free ramp by one of the first bridges or at the now closed Baer's Boat rental.

[bunker dunker]

only two things free in new jersey, bubble gum and headaches and they are all out of bubble gum.

[Detour66]

The best ramp by far is in Atlantic Highlands but it isn't free and it's often crowded. Best to get there early. The one plus is that it's close to good fishing. Most of the free ramps are at state run reservoirs Like Round Valley and Spruce Run but you are only allowed a 9.9 hp outboard. Good luck!

[Blind Archer]

Been launching for 41 years. All of the RB ramps are out of their minds with the use fees.Keyport was $25 on a weekday. No washdown or cleaning tables... so what am I paying for.

[Capt. Debbie]

Most don't have wash down hoses or fish cleaning tables around RB. Maybe Zubacks sans cleaning table

I've also been boating for over 40 years nearly exclusively in northern NJ. And been towing boats into all the RB ramps for the past 17 years. Where are all these free RB ramps you been using with hoses and tables?

Even the $100 per year ramps, most all don't have wash down hoses and fish cleaning tables. In fact most towns do not want the marina to have one and have you haul your cleaned carcass and not dump it in for legal/health reasons( sign posted)

The good old days are great to dwell on. In fact they get even better with fading memories. :) Mine do. Especially fish stories and women.




Been launching for 41 years. All of the RB ramps are out of their minds with the use fees.Keyport was $25 on a weekday. No washdown or cleaning tables... so what am I paying for.

[Blind Archer]

I didn't say the free ramps had water or tables. Nothing paid nothing offered. A $25 + ramp fee is 14 gal. A days worth of fuel for me. To imply that we are willing to forego the extra fuel use is the very reason they jack the prices up. The free ramps before your time were, ISan Juan hiill (keyport), Waykaack creek,(Keansburg), Union Avenue ramp (Union Beach) Morgan Creek (Lawrence Harbour) to name a few.

[irishc]

There are 2 free public access launch's in Point Pleasant. One is at the south end of the canal and the other is about a 1/4 mile up to the north. Neither place has first class amenities but both are FREE.

[njstew2]

Yo Doug...it's Stew. Happy Birthday!!

[Capt. Debbie]

I think the nail got hit on the head here.

Why would should maintain a ramp for free use? Even emptying the trash cans from boater's trash cost the owner money. Trailer guys leave when done... so why should someone maintain a ramp again?

Perhaps that's why the list does not exist any longer- free don't help much.






I didn't say the free ramps had water or tables. Nothing paid nothing offered. A $25 + ramp fee is 14 gal. A days worth of fuel for me. To imply that we are willing to forego the extra fuel use is the very reason they jack the prices up. The free ramps before your time were, ISan Juan hiill (keyport), Waykaack creek,(Keansburg), Union Avenue ramp (Union Beach) Morgan Creek (Lawrence Harbour) to name a few.

[Blind Archer]

All of the other fore mentioned states offer well maintained beautiful ramps. So it is done. Out wonderful state one of the few that don't

[bulletbob]

All of the other fore mentioned states offer well maintained beautiful ramps. So it is done. Out wonderful state one of the few that don't

The ramps here in upstate NY are meticulous. Beautifully maintained for the most part. They are free from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and the rest of the year are pretty reasonable.. I have yet to see any ramp here in upstate NY over $10.. I just paid $25 to use the crumbling, slimy ramp at Leonardo..
NJ certainly could learn from other states.. Of course they need to be maintained now and then, and of course a reasonable fee is perfectly justified, but in my opinion NJ is no bargain when it comes to launching a small boat... bob

[Fish on]

I launch out of Keyport as well not free either and not the public one. They have a terrible setup limted parking, no tackle shop and no place to clean fish and when the tide is anywhere near low it;s almost impossible to get the boat to the trailer because the water is so low. The one I launch at in Keyport is located at 340 west front street, plenty of parking, tackle shop and a place to clean fish. I know this is not the answer you wanted to hear (FREE) but I hope this helped you out. FISH ON:D

[Solemate]

Just add a fishing partner to pay the launch fee and then go to his house to clean the fish and boat. Sound familiar?

[Capt Sal]

All of the other fore mentioned states offer well maintained beautiful ramps. So it is done. Out wonderful state one of the few that don't

I fished NJ for 50 plus years. I paid to launch when i was younger.Then i always had a slip.I retired in Florida and trailer now. The ramps are top notch with cleaning stations,rest rooms and running water.They are spotless and the best part is they are FREE!The reson they are free is because we have a fresh water and salt water license and the funds are used for things like free ramps.You don't mind paying if you see your $$$$ at work and not being squandered!Florida knows fishermen spend money and we are valuable to the economy.

[shrimpman steve]

Fish cleaning stations at keyport marine basin. Also hose hookups on the dock.