Allen's Dock Archives - The Fisherman

Allen's Dock

September 08, 2026 - 01:25:32

From the lower part of the state Justin over at Allens Dock told us that the sweetwater in his area was also slower this past week, The best fishing going was in the lakes and ponds in the nearby campgrounds where bass and panfish were giving campers some good fishing. Justin closed his report by saying the recent storms have raised water levels in the tidal streams especially in the upper areas.

September 08, 2026 - 01:25:22

I spoke with Justin at Allen’s Dock as he was finishing up their annual “Mini-Rod” invitational. Justin says they had a record setting turnout for the tournament and the afterparty. Longtime slip holder “Mako Bob” took the top spot with his 26-inch striper, which was the biggest fish of the tournament except for Bob's 47-inch cownose ray. The rest of the week saw the stripers turning on to live eels and shedder crab baits. Anglers are still picking away at flounder in the bay with short fish for most anglers with that keeper being elusive. Keeper found are being caught in good numbers with consistency from the Garden State South and Little Egg Reefs. Justin has customers using clam chum in the bay in order to chum up some blowfish, but the blowfish have been scarce so far this season. Instead, that clam chum has been bringing large numbers of “stud” triggers to these boats. Anglers are loading up on triggers using clam strips, and there have also been some nice keeper size weakfish caught. In the river, the white perch are again bitting well especially for anglers fishing with live grass shrimp.

August 31, 2026 - 10:58:22

The only two reports we got from Justin over at Allen’s Dock was of some white perch being caught in the Bass River by the marina. Justin said the other report was of pickerel being caught in the nearby cedar waters on livelined killies.

August 31, 2026 - 10:58:02

Justin at Allen’s Dock tells us that the local action for white perch and schoolie bass is on fire. There are also some keeper bass being caught in the river and creeks. In the bay it's been much of the same, lots of short flounder to keep anglers busy, but not many keepers. Keeper ratio has been much better at the offshore reef sites. The bay is seeing plenty of croakers and spot. Some customers are also fishing for blowfish using clam chum, but so far “no bueno”. However, that clam chum did attract an unusual number of triggerfish to the boat and anglers were able to put some nice fish in the box on salted clam strips.

5698 Route 9
New Gretna (Bass River Twp.), NJ 08224
phone: 609-296-5660

ABOUT ALLEN’S DOCK Established 1923 The lure of Allen’s Dock starts with a man named Chet Allen. Chet built Allen’s Dock in 1923. Chet was married to Belle Valiant, the son of George Valiant. George was a menhaden boat captain for the McKeever Brothers. The McKeever Brothers owned the fish factory on Crab Island between 1910 and 1926. Along with the fish factory, the McKeever brothers also owned the property we all know as Allen’s Dock. The McKeever Brothers sold the property to George and though it may be cliché to say it - the rest is history… and what a history! A menhaden, commonly called a “bunker” around here, and through the years, there has been a lot of fish called “bunker,” and a few men called “George!” As of December of 2021, George Kurtz became the most recent of a long list of New Gretna history. George purchased the dock from George McGeoch, who took over for his father over 40 years ago. Before George, there was Ruby McAnney. Rube acquired Allen’s Dock after the passing of his friend, Chet Allen. Chet considered Ruby his right hand man and left Ruby the marina under the condition that it would always be called “Allen’s Dock.” Join us as we pay homage to this piece of bunker bait history! Next year will be 100 years of “Allen’s Dock.” With over 70 boat slips, a bait and tackle shop, mechanic on site, brokerage services, travel lift, boat launching service, dry dock and winter storage Allen’s Dock can help you with all of your boating and fishing needs. Drive in and see us at 5698 Route 9 in New Gretna or float in and see us on that ole’ Bass River across from Viking Yacht and Breeze’s. To learn more about the history of Allen's Dock and New Gretna, check out our Instagram page. We are a full service, family owned & operated marina serving the South Jersey shore area for over 80 years. We sell fishing, crabbing & marine supplies. Summer slips and winter storage is also available. Allen’s Dock is conveniently located on the Route 9 in New Gretna, NJ, just minutes off the Garden State Parkway. The marina is on the scenic Bass River with easy access to Great Bay. The surrounding area is suitable for all types of fishing, including fresh water, salt water, boat and shore fishing. Our bait and tackle shop offers a wide selection of competitively priced rods, reels, lures, rigs, crab traps, live and frozen bait, watersport supplies, marine supplies. We offer summer slip rentals, winter storage, and travel lift services. Please call for pricing and details.