Northeast - Mud Hole Q's

Have been researching archived posts in attempts to determine if a trip to the Mudhole is worth it. Looking to try for some mahi or small tune, etc..if all that comes up is blues could live with that for a trip or two. My understanding is the west side from Manasquan inlet is maybe 15-20 mile trip? Also understand that water quality and temp may have alot to do with what fish are in the area. My question is related to what resources are best for trying to pick a day when chances may be best to get on the fish?

Any thoughts appreciated, and if anyone frequents the area and wants a boat trailing behind I may have interest, been about 7-8 miles off and looking to increase that range and fishing variety.

Thanks

You can hit mahi closer to shore at lobster pots, the mudhole is skeptical for pelagic depending on the day in recent years. Generally you have to go out farther. Where do you dock at? For inshore pelagic fish you can hit the ridges or Little Italy which are all within 20 miles

I am docked in Brick, typically hit the always pleasurable canal to the MI. I was told that Little Italy and Humpty Dumpty were worth a try, my understanding is that they are nearest shore at Mud Hole. However, have not looked at chartplotter and trying to determine where exactly those spots are. Welcome any suggestions that keep me more inshaore and offer a probability of hitting something besides fluke or sea bass.

What boat are you running, that has alot to do with it also. The AP is another good bet. Further out but in the right boat no problem.I have taken my 21CC out there from Shark River, had the perfect conditions but would not recommend this as a normal trip.

If your gonna run off to the mudhole, AP or any other of the inshore bluefin spots, make sure you have the proper safety equipment. Its always best to find a buddy boat to hook up with when your not comfortable doing the trip yourself. I'm sure there are many people here and on B Barn that would buddy up with you and show you the ropes. Pick your day's wisely, the weather can turn at the drop of a dime. Best of luck......

To the OP what kind of boat are you running?

I am running a Grady White 265 Express w/ twin 200 HPDI's (28ft LOA and heavy). Have 130gal main tank and 120gal aux tank. Boat maintained very well. Regarding safety gear, ditch bag, handheld VHF w/ DSC, Epirb but no life raft on board. Would like to venture out w/ another boat or two for added safety but most at my marina are pleasure boaters.

Couple pics

oops

Where do you dock at?

I am in Brick, down the Metedeconck

Dieler, you boat is more then capable to fish inshore and offshore. I have seen plenty of 26 Grady's on the inshore lumps as well as in the chicken canyon and hudson. You just need to gain a little confidence. I know those hpdi's are a bit thirsty, so keep track of your fuel closely should you decide to venture offshore. Pairing up with someone is the way to go when your just beginning.

Yeah, confident in the vessel, agree that having a boat or two to tag along with would equal a more confident trip. Cruising at 30 mph I am sucking about 20 gph, figure if I go inshore lumps I have plenty of range just on the main tank - assuming 20 miles each way. If trolling or getting further out would be sure aux tank is topped as well, generally run that very infrequently to avoid carrying extra fuel / weight

Dieler you can all the way (Hudson) provided you have the fuel.
I have one additional question for you. You mentioned you had not looked at your chartplotter. I hope you do not put total reliance in your electronics. If do not have paper charts please go buy some and learn how to use them in conjunction with your compass. Plus I would get a raft. You don't have to go with an 8 man Solas A pak, but a 4-6 man valise will do.
I live just down the bay from you in Brick. My boat is 35 Bertram. You can run circles around me, but the next time we head offshore I give you a heads up.
You get a raft and I would consider pointing you in the right direction. I have lots of trolling gear. So far we have done a couple trolling trips and a mako trip. we got hooked up to three makos and a stinking blue shark. We have boated a couple of Bluefins. Problem is you can only keep one.
By the way do you have your tuna permit from the NMFS?

I rely on the chartplotter quite a bit but do have paper charts and basic understanding on how to navigate from the compass, not that I have really done so in the past so may be rusty. One reason a buddy boat is good idea.

Have been looking at rafts, only concern with smaller or more affordable ones is whether it would hold up / work when 20+ miles out? Most are rated for within sight of land (that I have seen).

Will work on the raft, was thinking of checking into rental of such as I do not go that far out very often and always on fair weather days for most part - generally have the kids with me

Lots of great advice so far.. that for sure a sweet boat for the Mudhole and midshore grounds.. as to your original ? regarding picking days..everyone has their favorite weather resources.. I personally check bouyweather, and NOAA.. but whats more important, is try to go within a window of at least 2-3 days of stable, favorable conditions..Avoid days right after blows, especially E/NE as there may be residual swell, and likewise don't try to sneak out ahead of oncoming weather, in the event it hits the fan early.. As far as being worth it.. I would say so..I've done a little bit of it..and it can be a blast.. :thumbsup: The area's you are talking about are a pretty easy run in your boat.. To get your feet wet, you could start off near one of the closer wrecks, and troll your way toward the Mudhole.. just start where you see clear water... maybe troll around the pots along the edge for some of the Mahi that will start showing up.. If you throw some cedar plugs in the wash , and have maybe clark spoons, and small feathers in the spread on lighter gear.. some days you can have fast action with the False Albies that can get real thick, Bonito, monster blues, etc.. Throw a small feather bar or a Ballyhoo bait way back on a heavier rig for mr. charlie, and have at it! For a break, you can stop off and drift some of the pots or any weeds/floatsom for Mahi.. Get some spearing, or better yet, net up some peanut bunker, and throw little chunks around the floats to get 'em going and follow up with a hooked chunk/livie, or small bucktail on a light spin outfit.. loads of fun... :thumbsup: As far as the raft, I agree it is a great idea.. but if you buddy boat with someone, and keep in sight, I think you are fine for now with the other gear you have.. maybe look for a deal on a used one.. I just sold one here last month at less than half its new cost.. Also, 2x on getting a good paper chart.. there's a few really good ones that show all the wrecks and structure.. Homeport and Capt. Seagull charts come to mind..if nothing else, they're great for spreading out in your lap at home , and planning your attack route ;) Good luck!

You can get a top of the line Winslow 6 man right now for $3,099.00 That is an a great price on one of the best rafts made. It is even vacuum packed.
Personally I would stay away from used rafts unless it was just repacked. I have a beautiful Avon 4 person in a fiberglass deckmount case. It was to small for my purposes so I bougfht a new one. I figured what the hell I would get it repacked for one of my little boats. It failed inflation test. You can inflate it and it stays up for a a couple of days, but it failed the test. Plus the cost to repack can be over $1000.00 dollars for a Solas A pack if it is the repack when everything needs replaced.
Is you life worth $3 grand? How bout the little person in the pic. even if you go down a mile off the beach how far can she swim? Much better to just step into a raft. Some may say of my is not going to sink. Ok what about a fire??

I hear you on the life raft. Would not buy used. Will do nearshore wrecks without one as there is always 50 boats around me, i travel with kids only in great weather conditions and have most every other piece of safety gear. Anything further with the kids not an option for me without the raft.

I hear you on the life raft. Would not buy used. Will do nearshore wrecks without one as there is always 50 boats around me, i travel with kids only in great weather conditions and have most every other piece of safety gear. Anything further with the kids not an option for me without the raft.

+1 :thumbsup:

Used rafts are fine if you can find a newer raft that has just been repacked. I have seen lots of rafts on eBay that had to end up costing more then a brand new raft after repack. My Avon was 11 years old and looked perfect. Could have put it on eBay saying all it needed was to be repacked. That would have made me a thief. A five year old raft, top of the line, with a fresh repack at the right price could be an option.
If the repack is not fresh forgetaboutit.

I hear you on the life raft. Would not buy used. Will do nearshore wrecks without one as there is always 50 boats around me, i travel with kids only in great weather conditions and have most every other piece of safety gear. Anything further with the kids not an option for me without the raft.

I have been to far too many demonstrations where the raft failed to properly inflate after a re-pack; so being paranoid, in addition to the 6 person Revere Offshore raft, I also always carry 6 Revere/Imperial survival suits (Gumby type). The suits are foolproof - all you need to do is put them on.

As others have said, your boat is more than capable for fair weather near offshore use to the Mudhole and beyond. I agree with the others that you need a life raft. Try LSRE up in Rhode Island. They are exceptionally good for service and fairly priced. They bought my 6 year old used Switlik Life Pod on a trade when I bought my Revere Offshore Elite 8 person raft, and when that proved too big for my boat, they took it back and I got the 4 person raft and they credited me for the full price differential. Can't beat that. You should always have a raft onboard. This past Sunday I had the nightmare situation of hitting a submerged railroad tie at 35 mph in the ocean 3 miles south of the Verrazzano Bridge. I thought we must have been holed, though thank God we later found no damage. Even though I immediately notified the Coast Guard that we hit something big, I was very happy to have the life raft readily available. You can hit something big anywhere at anytime. We were watching the water carefully and never saw it.

Thanks for the input on where and how to go about securing a raft, agree that is wise purchase. I had a slip neighbor who hit a RR tie last year, same deal - no damage but definitely makes a case for having the raft...Glad you escaped unharmed.

were running off on sat weather permitting. were out of manasquan river club. we will def be looking for mahi at all the pots and possibly going to AP(atlantic princess). its 52ish from the mouth of the inlet. when you get out to AP on a saturday there will undoubtedly be 40 other boats out there. its pretty insane the amount that all pile up on one area in the middle of the ocean. feels like the shrewsbury rocks during striper season. we run out there with about 140 gallons usually which is just our main and reserve tanks our saddle tanks we don't use much. we almost never troll, just chunk and jig. done very well with that and we try and grab live bait for along with like white gulp grubs and small plastics when at the pots for mahi. these magi can be super small some times, but we've hooked into monsters randomly. channels 65, 68, 19, 65 being the biggest.

i'm game for a buddy boat tag a long. i am teaching myself how to fish and learning to troll but willing to take a shot. i have more range than i am willing to go with a single engine

Don't forget this up-coming weekend there are two huge tournaments. The Beach Haven tournament and the SJM tournament. If the weather holds for the weekend, boat traffic will be extremely heavy. All the inshore hotspots for bluefin will be crowded also. Great idea to buddy up and share info. Leave early and take your time getting out to the grounds. If the Eddy on the westside of the Hudson holds, it should produce well this weekend. Good luck.