Shrewsbury River

[briansnat]

I'll be hitting the Shrewsbury River next week taking my brother and his kids crabbing and/or fishing. We're going to start with crabs and if they don't cooperate switch over to fishing.

I'm not real up on saltwater fishing. I've done a little surf fishing and fluking over the years but that's about it.

I was thinking of going after fluke because I've done that before, but I haven't had great luck with fluke in the Shrewsbury in the past. What else can I expect to be in the Shrews this time of year and what baits, lures and techniques do you recommend? Would trolling spoons or Rat-L-Traps for stripers be worthwhile or a waste of time? How about casting poppers? If not what fish should be there in good enough numbers to be worth targeting?

[Reelron]

I'm assuming you have your own boat? If so I would consider launching back by Red Bank, on the Navesink River. Depending on the size of your boat maybe Chris' Navesink Marina. Just watch the tides, you don't want to try to launch at or near low tide. Even the "channel is only about 18-24 inches deep at dead low. There should be boats crabbing right outside the marina, also between the bridges.

If things are slow work your way down the Navesink toward the Shrewsbury. Bring some speering with you as this will be good bait for both Fluke & snapper blues. Check the area near MArine Park/Irwins Marina, in Red Bank. If things are slow keep moving, slow down again around the Oceanic Bridge. You will see boats anchored for crabbing or try drifting, the west side for fluke or throwing metal on the east side for blues.

Beyond that you need the advice of Will, aka Riverbassfishing. Good luck

[briansnat]

Yes I have my own boat and I usually launch at the free ramp in Long Branch. I'm a bit of a cheapskate whe it comes to paying launch fees.

Thanks for the advice, but I'll be on the Shrewsbury not the Navesink.

[june181901]

If you are launching in Long Branch motor over to the area north of the sewer plant in Monmouth Beach for crabbing. Also it never hurts to try fishing around Buoy 38 which is in the same general area.

[Capt. Debbie]

I don't think Chris's came back from Sandy yet.

Red Bank has been dead for crabs since 2012.

Oceanic is sort a of producing but way off.

Originally Posted by Reelron

I'm assuming you have your own boat? If so I would consider launching back by Red Bank, on the Navesink River. Depending on the size of your boat maybe Chris' Navesink Marina. Just watch the tides, you don't want to try to launch at or near low tide. Even the "channel is only about 18-24 inches deep at dead low. There should be boats crabbing right outside the marina, also between the bridges.

If things are slow work your way down the Navesink toward the Shrewsbury. Bring some speering with you as this will be good bait for both Fluke & snapper blues. Check the area near MArine Park/Irwins Marina, in Red Bank. If things are slow keep moving, slow down again around the Oceanic Bridge. You will see boats anchored for crabbing or try drifting, the west side for fluke or throwing metal on the east side for blues.

Beyond that you need the advice of Will, aka Riverbassfishing. Good luck

[Reelron]

Originally Posted by Capt. Frank

I don't think Chris's came back from Sandy yet.

Red Bank has been dead for crabs since 2012.

Oceanic is sort a of producing but way off.

Their ramp is operational, no docks or piers.
Lots of mud. They even have a sign up, "Avoid low tide!"

[Arbutis]

Everything you need to know - right here in these two videos

The Wonder Rig - Fluke in the Shrewsbury River (get a killie trap!) and pay close attention to the size of the hook used. Important.
Kids Fishing - Wonder Rig with Gulp (if you don't get killies - but get killies!)

Last Saturday I caught about 40 fluke with my easy limit of 5 keepers (mostly shorts but a good mix of keepers too)

Crabbing: The Shrewsbury is LOADED with seaweed right now but if you are able to find some spots with low weed, the crabs are really big - just had a bunch for lunch today!



Good Luck.

Almost forgot, the Wonder Rig is so good - we busted out the Spidey pole and were still catching them (great for kids of all ages)

[briansnat]

Originally Posted by Arbutis

Everything you need to know - right here in these two videos

The Wonder Rig - Fluke in the Shrewsbury River (get a killie trap!) and pay close attention to the size of the hook used. Important.
Kids Fishing - Wonder Rig with Gulp (if you don't get killies - but get killies!)

Last Saturday I caught about 40 fluke with my easy limit of 5 keepers (mostly shorts but a good mix of keepers too)

Crabbing: The Shrewsbury is LOADED with seaweed right now but if you are able to find some spots with low weed, the crabs are really big - just had a bunch for lunch today!

Attachment 72261

Good Luck.

Almost forgot, the Wonder Rig is so good - we busted out the Spidey pole and were still catching them (great for kids of all ages)

That's pretty much the fluke rig I use except I use a 1 oz bank sinker instead of the hookless jig. The jig looks like a good idea.