When you get up to the tip of Sandy Hook, that channel is the Sandy Hook channel. The Ambrose channel is on the other side of the water. Several more miles north.
It depends on where you fish in the Ambrose channel as to the regulations. Part of the channel is in New York waters and part are in New Jersey waters. When you are in New York waters you will need to abide by their regulations, both size wise and limit wise. I believe Capt Ed or Hotrod posted a chart of the area a couple of days ago.
Ross, just an FYI. There are big fish to be caught near/at the Shrewsbury Rocks. Specifically, the Rattlesnake area and the Sandy Hook Reef. Several people on the board have provided numbers for places to fish there. You will loose a lot of rigs but if you are catching that is a small price to pay. The rocks will save you a bit of fuel and time.
I have recently begun to fish the rocks area (I stopped listening to the lost rig complaints
). I have not put a huge fish aboard yet but we have had some very nice fish from there. (up to 5+#s). You also have the opportunity to catch some nice seabass while fluking.