Out of Sea Isle, NJ

[wolfshead]

Went out of Sea Isle last Sat.  Only caught about a dozen keepers but threw over a bushel of juvies back plus a couple of dozen preggers females.  Were pulling up 4-5 at a time in the traps and had 2 at a time on handlines.  Went thru about a dozen bunker in 4 hours.  Caught the outgoing tide with low tide at 10.  Since I had to rent a boat got a late start, 6:30 with about another 15 minute ride to our starting point.  Were working the area between channel markers 244 to 248.  Not a great day catch wise but a fun day for all.  Firt time I had my daughter out and she is anxius for more (6 years old).  She did catch the biggest tho, a Jimmy over 7 in.  Hopefully all those juvies bode well for future as I will be going out again in the coming weeks and am spending a week in August down there.   Need to get my own boat tho, the rentals are killing me.  I have been using Red Dog out of Sea Isle.  Anyone know of any other boat rental places near there, maybe ones that opren earlier?

herb

[kingcrabber]

..Wolfy..crabbed out of Red Dog about month,month and a half ago...ask the owner ffor a map....sounds like you were out in the main bay area....too much boat traffic ..there are a number of side channels that seemed to be better crabbing for us ...we were first off the main channel where all the comm guys laid all their pots....caght an increable # of females w/eggs...just hope the comm guys aren't keeping those girls >:(as for any other rental places,check out www.scottsbt.com.....follow fishing section,then boating info..allkinds of marinas,etc in the area..hope this helps

[phillyDoc]

Can anyone give me any more details on Red Dog boat rentals?  How much, How long, What you need to rent, What time you can rent, etc?  It would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[wolfshead]

Red Dog is on 43 st in Sea Isle, a few spots down from Carmen's, if you know the area.  It was $48 for 4 hours and $58 for a full day rental.  It's a very small shop and there is practically no parking.  Had to park across the canal in the public lot and the owner came over to pick me up.  Adds to the amount of time it takes to get out.  Supposed to open at 6 but didn't until about 6:15 and there was another party in front of us.  Boats are typical Jersey wood skiffs with 6 hp kickers and an awning against the sun if you wish it up.  The motors are well maintained and start with only one or two pulls.  I used to go out of Vitello's, which was up the street, for years but they have closed down and been replaced by condos or apts.  In fact, most of the block has been built over in condos, which explains why no parking and I don't know how much longer Red Dog can hang in there.  

Seems to be a new face in town these days, Larsen's.  Used to be you saw Red Dog and Vitello's (later 34th St Rentals for a few years) until Vitello's shut down.  Then it was Red Dog.  This time out I saw a lot of boats that had Larsen pained on the side.  Larsen's is a marina on the other side of the inlet from Red Dog and the entrance is on the far side of the causeway into Sea Isle.  Never knew they rented before so it might be a new line for them.  If they have parking it is a distinct advantage for them tho their boats have no shade.  Have no idea about their hours or costs but may check them out this weekend or next.   Looking for a place that opens earlier or at least gets me out on the bay faster.  The low tide is way too early for me.  Anyone have any info on Larsen's I would appreciate it.  Can't wait until I get my own boat.  Another year perhaps since I promised my daughter Disney next year and it keeps looking like a new, or new to me, car this one.

King, usually crab the main bay just because it's what I know.  Next time I pay for a full day tho and low tide comes early I may just ride around checking the byways until the water returns.  Would have done that this time but there was no sense staying out any later as we went thru our bait.  Asked for 18 bunker but only got a dozen and they went fast.

herb

[PHILLY JOE]

Larsen's Marina, 7 Old Sea Isle Blvd., Sea Isle City, NJ. 609-263-1554.
CALLED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND IF I REMEMBER RIGHT BOATS AND MOTOR WERE $65 WEEKEND.

[Phillyguy]

http://66.96.130.73/RedDog/index.html

Red Dog has a web site.

I believe Larsen's is the rental shop across the water (west-southwest) from Red Dog.  There is also Franks off the O.D. just before Ocean City.  I liked Red Dog just because they had bimini tops, no other reasons.

To get to Larsen, you have to go west off the island; on the left about 1/2 mile you will see old Sea Isle Blvd.  You should see a sign for a marina (I think marw marina?).  Make the hard left and head back toward the island on Old Sea Isle Blvd.  This was the main road into Sea Isle before a 1960's hurricane took out the bridge.  Larsons should be at the end of the road.  Very quit area, watch out for turtles crossing the road

I was in O.C. Sunday (7/25) caught about 50 crabs, but only about a dozens keepers.  Rainy day, but...  We were in the back creeks around 34th. Street bridge.  My nephew was at the same spot the Saturday before and caught about 30 keepers (about 70 total).  Can't wait until all those little guys grow up!

I brought a boat about 2 years ago.  $3500 jet boat (1995 dynasty).  NOT A FLOOTING BATHTUB like most older jet boat.  Typical 6-seater bow rider.  Only 16ft, seats 5, good size for crabbing with 4 people.

Don't think a boat will save you money, insurance alone will cost you more then you will ever pay in boat rentals.  But you can tube, crab, fish, go where and when you like, etc.

[wolfshead]

Red Dog's site not veryinfomative.  Hasn't updated in awhile either as there is no longer any parking, free or otherwise, on the premises.  The lot he used to have was roped off last time I was there.  Weather been too bad the last couple of weekends to try but I will be down there 3rd week of August.  Tides look good that week with hi tide hitting right about the time I go out and low hitting about 2-3 in the afternoon which means I should have an outgoing tide for most of my crabbing day.  Promising myself at least two days in a boat, weather permitting.  House I am staying at is block from bay in O.C. and was told that there is a pier ther also so might get a few days there too before I have to take my daughter to the beach.  Nice thing about crabbing is you can get up early, get a few hours in, maybe get a nice hauk and still be back in time to take the kids to the beach.

As for a boat saving me money, don't know but if I had my druthers I would be spending a lot more time on the bay than I am now.  Even just 5 crabbing trips can run between $300-400 in boat rentals not to mention the fishing I no longer do.  When I was younger and my cousin had his boat about 3 out of every 4 weekends between Mar and Sept were spent either on a lake or a bay.  That's a lot of boat rental <G>  Not only that you aren't at the mercy of the rental place.  If the action is good you can stay out as long as you like.  It's the convenience I am really after.

herb

[Phillyguy]

B O A T
B-reak
O-ut
A-nother
T-housand

But I would never give up mine!

There is a public pier at about 12th or 13th, Always people their, but I've never seen anyone catch anything.  There is also a new pier (more of a walk way) under the 34th street bridge.  No railing, I don't like it for smaller kids.

I've had some luck in the creeks on the south side of the 34th street bridge.  But I don't know of any rental that allow you to go that far.

I've also have had some luck back by the power plant.

For $2 you can get a N.J. lic for a crab pot.  Pots are about $30 locally.  I would drop the pot off the pier under the 34th street bridge in the morning.  Go to the beach for a few hours and come back later to see if any luck.  Got up to 12 a day this way, although some days 0.  Tempting for keds to steal so I would though it out far (float required by law) and use a long handle (telescopic) net to retrieve float an pull the pot in.

Anyway I may be down the last 2 weeks in August, so if you see a JETSTORM jet boat, give a wave.

[wolfshead]

House I am staying at is between 11th and 12th streets.  Don't want to hear they don't catch them off that pier <G>  Do you knpw how far Dividing Creek is from OC?  Keep reading about it and may take a trip there if not far.  Looking tovary the experience.  Been mostly out of Sea Isle the last couple of years

herb

[Phillyguy]

I've never been to Dividing Creek, but I know it is west of Cape May on the Delaware Bay.

Here is there web site.

http://dividingcreekboatrentals.com/index.html

From directions on web page, not far from the end of 55/47.

I also saw flyers in Real Estates Office, check yours.

Good luck

[wolfshead]

Thanks Guy.

Looked on a map, it seems a bit inland from the Del. Bay, not far from Fortescue.  Spent some time in the Fortescue area many, many moons ago.  Wasn't a whole lot there at that time.  Have to see if I can still follow a map of the area.  Might go down this weekend to see what's what.  From what I have read so far it seems they rent boats that can be handled by one person down there.  If so it gives me an option for when I don't have a partner or when it's just me and the daughter.  At 6 she's good with a trap but anchor or motor a bit out of her league.


BTW, don't have a Real Estate agent this year.  Friend of the family lending us the place.  Can't beat the price <G>

herb

[kingcrabber]

Wolfy....stay outta the dividing creek/beaver dam area..crabbed there the last 15 years...last three were horrible ..just my personnal xperience...you need spots to go...email me....can't promise you convenience,but if your willin' to travel a little bit furthur,can help..Rick..aka "kingcrabber'