Fishing
Belmar and Shark River are in very close proximity to the Shark River Inlet. The Belmar Marina hosts a number of charter and party boats. In addition there are a few companies that rent small row boats and motors. Although it is not advisable to run these boats out the inlet it is possible to run the boats in the bay as well as the Shark River which runs out to the inlet. The is a great place to fish for winter Flounder in the spring. The Belmar Municipal Marina is a full service marina and has a launch ramp , bait and gas. Depending on the time of year most Party Boats will fish for the following species :
- March - April : Blackfish , Ling, Cod
- April -May : Winter Flounder
- June - September : Fluke, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Weakfish
Many Charter Boats will fish for the same species as the Party Boats and will also fish offshore for Sharks from June - September and Tuna August through early October.
Surf Fishing is good along all the local beaches. The inlet is the most popular spot..
- Fluke fishing is excellent around the Spring Lake Hotel to the south and Elberon and Deal to the north. Drifting a combination of a strip of squid and a kellie is the most popular way to fish.
- Flounder fishing is best in the April and May time frame. Chumming is a necessity to improve your chances of catching a good number of fish. Anchoring is the usual fare dropping down either blood or sandworms. The bay and the river are popular spots but the bay is very shallow and is limiting during low tide.
- Striped Bass can be caught in the ocean or you can try between the railroad and route 35 highway bridge in the river.
- Bluefish are fished for almost exclusively in the ocean. Diving birds are a sure sign there are Bluefish in the area. The most popular way to fish for Blues is to anchor your boat chum with ground bunker to attract the fish while dropping back cut bunker. Make sure to use a heavy mono or wire leader since these fish a sharp teeth that will make short order of 10 - 15 lb mono. Night time is great for Bluefish as well .
- Blackfishing is best done by boat since you need knowledge and experience to locate and fish wrecks and rock piles. If your not in the rocks or on a wreck your not going to catch.