NJ Fishing Locations , Mantoloking Bridge

[ped579]

Hi All,

The next stop in my quest is Brick, at the Mantoloking Bridge fishing pier.

If you haven't been by here in a while it is worth a trip especially for crabbing right now.  It is easy to get to if you are traveling on Rt 35 go south past Bay Head and there is a traffic light for Herbert St, 528 toward Lakewood. turn right and go over the bridge.  There is a small parking lot just to the west of the bridge and if that is full go a little further and pull into the Mantoloking Cove Marina and head east where you will find plenty of parking.  From Brick Go East on Mantoloking Rd. and look for Mantoloking Cove Marina on your left you can pull into there or go a little further and park in the little road side parking area if there is room.

You can walk along the water and fish off the bulkhead or walk further and you will find a concrete walkway under the new bridge that leads to a fantastic fishing pier.  Plenty of room to stretch out and fish. 

There is a portable jon as the facilities on the north side of the new bridge and Pell's bait and Tackle is just down the road a bit to handle all your needs.

I met three guys that were just setting up and I hope they will be able to get on today and let me know how they did.

This spot is a diamond in the rough.  Worth a try any time of year.

Google Maps:
http://www.google.com/maps?q=Mantoloking,+NJ,+USA&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&layer=t&ll=40.040396,-74.055673&spn=0.004296,0.011662&z=17

Happy Catching

Paul

[ped579]

Hi All,

Right now they are slamming the snappers like crazy with some nice weakies thrown in.

It might be a good time to try some early evening fishing for the elusive weakfish.  The area should produce some nice fish.  If you try it let us know how you did.

I have noticed that this past Wed. the area has a number of families working under the bridge for crabs and doing OK, nothing spectacular by they were having fun.

Happy Catching

Paul

[gymrat987654321]

fished there in early july and it sucked. i hated it. one of my worst fishing experiences ever. bought like 4 bunker and ran out in under an hour cuz of all the crabs. i actually caught 3 crabs on a fishing rod, they just hung onto the bunker while i reeled it in. the next day went surf fishing and beasted. i dont recemend it for fishing, maybe just fluke. If your going crabbing its a great stop.

[mboy]

I may be getting old, but what does BEASTED mean?

I hope it doesn't mean something like crapping in your pants because that would be bad, right?

[ped579]

Hi All,

I have no clue, but gym rat does not understand the reason for the articles. Especially if fished only once. 

The articles were meant to steer people to free fishing locations weather it would be used for fishing or crabbing.  There are plenty of people out there who are looking for Free recreation for their families because of the expense involved.  The articles point out where these locations are as so many have vanished or municipalities are charging to use them.

I have been at this location and have seen yes crabs, but also snappers, and weakfish caught there.  Boats hover around the pilings of the new bridge to again catch whatever.

I hope this clears up the nature of the article at least.  Whatever you catch it is still catching and having fun as a family.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

I fish the area a lot.

It is a great location to fish and it is FREE - even the parking. That cannot be said for almost any other place in the state.

1. The NJ state record blueclaw was caught in that area last year (2006).

2. There were tons of schoolie bass under the bridge in the Spring.

3. Tons of snappers.

4. Just a little south is a great weakfish hole that all locals fish (Marker 14).

5. And yes, it holds winter flounder in that area.

6. Fluke fishing is marginal at best.

Please stop at Pell's right up the street and they will help out.

Again, Paul's articles are the first comprehensive set of information about FREE locations in the state. Frankly, this is better than anything The Fisherman or The Angler magazines have done lately.

BTW, Gymrat- ... Why are you using bunker there in July? No chance for Stripers as the water was in the 80s at that time. Storm shads work great there yearly (pearl).

Thanks Paul,

Capt. Ed

[IrishAyes]

As with any place where you fish, you have to give the area a chance to produce.  One trip can not dictate the quality of fishing at that location.  I have fished many a spot that did not produce one day and it was game on the next.   

[PHIL]

What kind of bait and # line would I use for fishing off of the mantaloking bridge?

[Hotrod]

I bet Clams could pickup a resident striper this time of year.

[TurboDan]

I bet Clams could pickup a resident striper this time of year.

Possibly.  There has even been talk of people catching winter flounder in the area, though I'm not exactly sure how much of those rumors to believe.  Still, you never know.

[ped579]

I'll have to take a ride up there this weekend and see if anyone is catching anything. 

I will post if anything is happening.

Happy Catching

Paul

[ped579]

This is an update on the pier.  Since Friday Winter Flounder have been caught off the pier during both incoming and outgoing tides.  Looks like bait of choice are either sand worms or blood worms.  When a check of what they are eating there is also a lot of corn in their stomaches.

If it is over cast you might as well stay at home I have noticed that during cloud cover the bite is off, but as soon as the sun breaks through the bite starts up again.

I have seen Winter Flounder in sizes around 15 inches.  So all you skeptics out there that have been putting this area down keep putting it down, more time for me and others to catch.

Happy Catching

Paul

PS here is a link to another post with pics...

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=5487.0

[Fishin Dude]

I've caught alot of fish there myself. <'((((><

[ped579]

SSSHHNHHHHH, people think you can't catch fish there.  Lets keep it that way.

[blynch]

I may be getting old, but what does BEASTED mean?

I hope it doesn't mean something like crapping in your pants because that would be bad, right?

According to the Teenage Dictionary, BEASTED: v; destroyed, beaten, or otherwise conquered, generally in a conspicuous or outstanding manner.

[ChrisL]

Anyone had any luck here recently?  And what's running there now?
Hoping to get over there this week if time permits.

[surfrocket]

i am going out there tomorow after work. bouncing storm shads off the pilings,i will let you guys know how we did. i'm taking my daughter,while she is crabbing hopefully i can get me some weekies.

[ped579]

Hi guys I don't know about the weakies but the crabbing I hear is good and short fluke.  Ken don't forger about the secondary channel off the south corner.  If you can cast out to the mouth of the marina I hear that there is a decent hole there from all the boats exiting the marina and hitting the engines.

Might be worth a try.

Paul

[surfrocket]

i always do great there with resident bass on ultra light tackel, but someone said to me that there has been weekies there. i will let ya know. i will try that channel too. for a while this was the only place i would fish, its a great spot. thanks paul, talk to you soon.

[ped579]