shrewsbury rocks

[pilot2550]

Newbie fishing out of Raritan bay and interested in finding out about shrewsbury rocks. I hear the stripers might still be around along with sea bass.  Does any one have info on location/ landmarks from the SH?

[Hotrod]

Welcome Pilot.

Nice to have you with us.

The boys will be all over this one 

Hang tight..

[pilot2550]

Thanks for the welcome.  Nice site.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Pilot,

My buddy fished there yesterday on the chunk and caught blues and doggies.

There is not a big accumulation of any bait there yet.

Cross your fingers the bunker run through here or the Spring Striper season will be a big bust ... not just compared to the great fishing the past few years but a bust compared to the bad years as well.

The Stripers are just north of IBSP down past Atlantic City if you work them hard from a boat. The most effective technique has been pulling bunker spoons. That is not my idea of fun ...

Cross your fingers and welcome ... I assure you as soon as they are in here, this site will tell all quickly.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[pilot2550]

I may take a run out late in the week and try a little chunk.  What's the view on clams?

[Capt. Ed]

Hi,

Clams at the Shrewsbury Rocks?

I would say that you are hurting your chances of hooking many species ...

For example,

1. I don't think of clams at the Shrewsbury Rocks. I think trolling and chunking heads. Anything is possible but that is not a "normal" area a clam would be found. I would use them near known clam beds such as off Sandy Hook. The state puts out a nice little book with a lot of the more well known clam/oyster beds.

2. When I think clam for Stripers I think a big glob of bait and big hooks. The Shrewsbury Rocks hold Sea Bass, Fluke and Blackfish. That would not be desirable size bait for them.

I try to use the almighty clam after a nice NE storm and near a clam bed.

BTW, the no shame in filling the coolers with some nice Sea Bass.

Just my opinion,

Capt. Ed

[ped579]

Hi Pilot1550,

Welcome Aboard.  I don't get to go out there any more I enjoy my surf fishing so I will let the guys who know their stuff fill in the blanks but i would like to say again welcome to the site and be prepared to be amazed at the amount of knowledge you will gather here.

Paul

[Capt. Ed]

Hi,

Do you need GPS coordinates for the rocks? I think you were asking that ... They are also marked by 2 green buoys ...

The numbers for the SR1 buoy (innermost buoy - fish inshore of that one and work toward the north and west) are:

N40 20.544 W73 56.732

Look at a map and study the contours (Rod has put a few in one of the Forums for reference)... you can also watch how folks fish the drops and stay alert for dodging a ton of boats or there trolling gear.

A reference from sea toward land is Monmouth Beach.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[pilot2550]

Capt Ed,

The numbers and marks are helpful and what I was looking for.  Regarding the clam, I see you point with the stripers.  How about small pieces of salted for the sea bass?

Pilot

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Pilot,

YES!

Bring along some spearing and squid as there are days recently when the bait mattered.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Pilot,

What I find hard about the Shrewsbury Rocks is that you have to commit to a type of fishing.

What do I mean by that?

Normally I would say bring an extra rod and dead stick a bunker head while fishing for Sea Bass/Fluke/Blacks. Or I may say dead stick a rod for Sea Bass/Fluke/Blacks while chunking. Unless you are anchored up, that dead stick will snag all day long.

So, when I think Shrewsbury Rocks, I think troll for Blues/Stripers or anchor and chunk Stripers/Blues.

When I find a great Sea Bass/Blackfish area, I anchor as well.

As for Fluke, if I want them, I am prepared to loss a lot of terminal tackle.

I have dove that area and thought I would find a lot of nice size lobsters but it is a breeding ground for the little guys. Also, what you cannot see on your electronics are tons of rock that line the bottom, besides the big pieces that stick up 10-20 off the bottom.

Interesting place ...

Capt. Ed

[Luna Sea 5]

You can't go wrong at the rocks.  You can Fluke on the edge of the rock to try to save yourself some terminal tackel.  You can find anything there, its always a surprise, even last week.
AT THE ROCKS

[Sam3]

Great info here guys.

Anyone know where I can find that book put out by the state on the locations of the more well know oyster/clam beds?

[Ramtough]

Anyone been doing anything as far as chunking or trolling around the Rock area or Monmouth Beach area? Plan on going out of SRI early Friday ??

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Sam,

You get it when you buy a clamming license. Well worth the couple of dollars! They have them at Pell's or any other shop still issuing licenses. I have not seen it online.

Capt. Ed

[pilot2550]

All,

Thanks much for all the info.  I'll be heading out on Friday AM and take advantage of the recommendations made here.  Will report back on Saturday.

Pilot

[Sam3]

Hi Sam,

You get it when you buy a clamming license. Well worth the couple of dollars! They have them at Pell's or any other shop still issuing licenses. I have not seen it online.

Capt. Ed

Thank you Capt. Ed

[pilot2550]

Capt. Ed,

Thanks again for the numbers. Arrived a little later than wanted at around 8:00.  Fuel, search for bunker, rigging bass poles, etc.  About a dozen boats set up on the rocks. Anchored and chunked fresh  (no live to be found).  Had a hand full of take downs.  Dog fish a plenty, no stripers.  Stayed put about two hours.  Seas were beginning to churn up with winds approaching 20 blowing out of the NNW.  Pulled anchor and began drifting for fluke further up north.  Plenty of shorts, two keepers for the box.  Next move off the wrecks for sea bass.  All boats broke for port.  Slugged it out for another hours or so with one sea bass to account.  Seas were getting very snotty.  Headed back to port.  A few more drifts around the bug light at the hook.  A number of short fluke added to the tally.  Overall, not very productive with regard to fish but interesting challenge with following and quartering seas on the way back in. 

Till next time.

Pilot

[Luna Sea 5]

its always good if your lucky enough to get on the water...   fish are just a bonus.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Pilot,

You caught fish ... gutted out a tough situation ... and know more about the area than before you left.

SOunds like a very productive day to me!

Congrats on sticking out the grind,

Capt. Ed