The Manasquan Ridge was and still is a prolific hot spot that lies 6.3 miles southeast of the Manasquan Inlet. I say “was” and “is” because historically the Ridge was an area filled with marine growth and mussel beds that spanned over a half-mile hump with varying depths from 48 feet to 75 feet. Once beach replenishment was undertaken post Superstorm Sandy around 2016, the dredgers took sand from the ridge to pump onto the beaches, carving up a lot of the area flattening out what was once humps.
However, fishing still remains strong there, especially during the summer months.
Doormat fluke hunters always pop out to the Ridge to target the tournament winning fish that push 6, 7 and up to 10 pounds plus. Big flatties love the varied ledge depths and will eagerly pounce on drifted fluke bellies on fishfinder slide rigs. Usually the later months of August and September hold the best big fluke activity as they hunker down in the deeper waters to cool off.
In the “old days” the area held gator blues for party boat night time chunk trips and for sure bluefish still haunt the area, especially if sand eels or bunker schools hang around in the heat of the summer.
By far the most exciting development in recent times is that the Manasquan Ridge has become a burning hot spot for summertime speedsters of all breeds. Starting in July, Spanish mackerel and bonito schools will come streaking through the area. Many times you’ll have visuals of schools bursting out of the water like flying missiles, pouncing on spearing or rainfish schools. An easy way to hook up is to troll Clark spoons of sizes 00 to 01 on a 3 foot leader with drail weights or with small 3-inch Williamson feathers.
For the speedsters, try trolling over the ridge ends on the north side where the depth rises into the low 50-foot range. A moderate 5- to 7-knot pace will spark the Spanish mackerel and bonito to strike.
In August, you’ll find grasshopper and chicken class mahi of a half-pound to 5 pounds hanging around the area. If there are any pots on the ridge, be sure to cast small half-ounce bucktails tipped with 3-inch Berkley Gulp Swimmin Mullets. July and August can also dish out incredible surprises as last year I fished with Jim Louro on the Ridge to sight cast for Spanish macks when we had big red marks on the screen. Jim dropped down a metal jig and it got bit off completely with a chafed up line by what we think was a big king mackerel as they had been reported in the area. The next day he went back dropping jigs and boated more than one bluefin tuna of 50 pounds! Be on the lookout for bluefin.
Once September and October roll in, look for false albacore to really light up the place. The same metals like Deadly Dicks, Williamson Gomoku jigs and Crippled Herrings will get the tunny to strike hard.
When speedsters are around, the early morning bite is best here, and the action usually shuts off before 10 a.m.., so basically if you want a shot at some drag-peeling action, set that alarm and get there early!
LAT/LON: 40° 1.720 N’ / 73° 55.886’ W
Images courtesy of Navionics and the Navionics Boating app.
