Moving from raritan bay to forked river

[captainsteve25]

After growing up on the bay, my wife and I decided to get a place on the water and enjoy a new lifestyle. New, good,problem for me, need to learn how to fish these new un chartered waters. Plan to hopefully have the dock built by June and boat in water by mid summer. Will probably miss all of spring season with the move and all the stuff that comes with moving and relocating the kids. Any advice or historical lessons would be appreciated. I'm hoping there is striper life for spring and fall and something to do during the dog days of July and august. I might even be within reach of the chicken canyon ( boat has a 180 mile range)

[shrimpman steve]

Good luck with your new lifestyle. Been thinking of making a move myself. Love it up here in the mountains but think I'd be happier by the water

[Reel Class]

what kind of boat do you have?

[bulletbob]

Made that same move years ago.. Lived in Union Beach, moved to Forked River..
All I can say is this.. I caught a LOT more fish of all species in the Raritan/Sandy Hook bay, and the close by ocean waters than I did in Barnegat/Great Bay and close by waters. For me there was no comparison..
However thats all inshore stuff.. I will defer to the offshore guys, but you might be in a better position there than out of Raritan Bay....

[Sharkyispy]

Had my boat in Toms River and ran Barnegat Bay/Inlet for several years. The bay has windows of fishing when it can be productive, Stripers on the shoals, Fluke at mouth of oyster creek or Meyers Hole. Some fishing between BI and BB markers. Use to be a couple good deep holes at high tide that would hold fish. The inlet? The channel to the inlet and around the lighthouse is narrow and zig zags, watch your markers closely or you will be in shallow water in no time. The inlet, That was interesting to navigate, give yourself plenty of space. Reminds me of the shotgun start at Manasquan, just almost all the time....lol. You have some spots outside , The Tires, wrecks , etc that are good for fishing, Stripers along IBSP when they are running. Quite a few boats run from Forked River area to canyon. Chicken canyon could be a shot for you depending on your boat. I believe a couple fishing clubs from there still have tournaments each summer as well. Good luck on your move and new grounds to explore.....Forgot to mention the crabbing f you're into it and use boat for family time. Head towards the 37 Bay bridge, usually some good ones to be found near the bridge and pole island area/

[captmark]

We fish the bay often in the spring, sometimes it can be crowded on weekends around the BI & BB and a lot of traffic, but it can be productive and you can catch different species down there.

[celticcross]

Come down and check out the Forked River Tuna Club on any Friday at 730pm. Our members fish from the surf to the bay to the Canyons from Kayaks to Big Sporties. It is a great way to get a network going. We have our own club house with a private bar. We do all kinds of get togethers. Come check us out!!!!!
Eric

[fin_s_guy]

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

Good luck with your new lifestyle. Been thinking of making a move myself. Love it up here in the mountains but think I'd be happier by the water

Steve! Do I have the house for you!!

Taking a 75k hit so practically giving it away.

[captainsteve25]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. My boat is a 275 aquasport with twin 200 evinrudes. Sounds like i might be loosing out on some fishing as i must say the bay has been very good to me year over year with all kinds of fishing but unfortunately their is no housing market i can afford up here, and then the school and the wife.......i was very lucky to make really good friends in those years and will not stop coming up to make the occasional striper trip and get some use out of my bunker net. BI=Barnegat Inlet? what does BB=?SO, i also take that i will be faced with a challenge every time i want to head out to the ocean, interesting.....Not what i wanted to hear but the truth and reality for what it is, i need to deal with it. I am really happy to learn of the club, that may help me learn of the waters, times and species as well as habits, baits fish runs etc. I am not an offhsore guy but may give it a shot since i can probably make it(would probably do incremental trips until i got comfortable and ensured my boats seawrothiness out there).

[Capt. Debbie]

Good luck with Barnegat Inlet too.

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

Good luck with your new lifestyle. Been thinking of making a move myself. Love it up here in the mountains but think I'd be happier by the water