Bahr's Landing Marina Archives - The Fisherman
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Bahr's Landing Marina

October 26, 2026 - 10:14:36

“It was a week of closing up early every day, which is just what we did because of the winds all week,” said Tim at Bahrs Landing Marina. The marina had several transient boats that were headed for the Sunshine State but were stranded by the storm. He said this was a classic case of there are bass out there but no one even attempted to fish for them.

October 19, 2026 - 09:56:44

I spoke with Tim over at Bahrs Landing Marina and he told me boats sailing out of the marina did well with the bass since the big blow in the backwaters and in the lower Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers. Most boats that sailed from the marina have been targeting the stripers and many of them tangled with some real trophies. A few also got in on the bottom fishing which was decent for sea bass, tog, triggers, porgies and occasional bonito, weakfish and winter flounder. Tim said the one thing that has been missing since the big storm is the tuna and mahi and he only got scattered reports on them in the second half of October. “Hopefully things will pick up in November as the water starts to cool down,” he added.

2 Bay Avenue
Highlands, NJ 07732
phone: 732-872-1245

Founder John ”Jack” Bahrs, the grandson of a tall ship captain, and his wife Florence had their beginning in the Dutch Neck section of Newark, where they owned and operated a small neck tie manufacturing business. The family was interested in Highlands, and after a robbery and their silk supply and finished neckties, they cemented their resolve to move to Highlands. They purchased a small boat rental business on Cedar Street that they operated in the summer and went back to work in Newark for the off-season. In 1917, they purchased the beached houseboat at this location, moved the rental boats over, and started cooking up chowder. The rest is history! Jack, Florence, and their four children, John(Bud), Al, Ken, and Ruth, worked hard together selling bait, renting rowboats, and cooking up dinners for fishing parties that would come down on the train Friday night and pay $2.50 for room and board. The two-story houseboat had a potbelly stove and operated just seasonally. The houseboat structure remains as the interior of the main dining room and reception area. From the 1940s to the 1970s, Bud and his wife Peg successfully grew the business to a year-round destination entertaining seafood lovers visiting Monmouth Park, the Garden State Arts Center, and the beaches. Famous stars such as Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio, Ernest Borgnine, and many more enjoyed lobster dinners at Bahrs. In the early days, you could arrive by steamer or train when the Central Railroad of NJ came from Jersey City and stopped at Highland Station, just outside of Bahrs front door, on its way to Long Branch. Bud & Peg officially retired in 1974. The Restaurant has been owned since by Ray Cosgrove and his son Jay, the fourth generation great-grandson of the founders. Together they have expanded the facility to include Mobys Outside Deck & Lobster pound as well as the original marina facility. Our family and experienced, dedicated staff have served over 12 million customers. Bahrs Landing is considered one of New Jersey’s famous landmarks as well as one of the country’s oldest family-run restaurants. Bahrs Landing specializes in catering to large and small groups with friendly service, creating special memories for you and your family!