Dive Sites (19/45)
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Looking roughly south: Sandy Hook is barely visible at upper-right, Rockaway inlet at the upper-left, Brooklyn at lower-left, Staten Island at lower-right. The shipping channel is also plainly obvious.
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Depth: 47 to 53 feet
1.16 nautical miles northeast of Lloyd Point
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- Type:
- shipwreck, steamer, England
- Built:
- 1871, England
- Specs:
- ( 251 x 32 ft ) 1258 gross tons, 22 crew
- Sunk:
- Monday January 11, 1886
overloaded and foundered in storm - no casualties - Depth:
- 95 ft
More: Hylton Castle ...
- Type:
- submarine chaser, later trawler, scallop boat, USA
- Built:
- 1943, Elizabeth City Shipyard, Elizabeth City NC USA
- Specs:
- ( 112 x 18 ft ) 99 gross tons
- Sunk:
- ???
- Depth:
- 90 ft
More: Ida K SC-1282 ...
- Type:
- shipwreck, barge
- Depth:
- 95 ft
This wreck seems to be one or more wooden barges, possibly garbage barges from the 1920s. There is an anchor in one spot near a machinery pile, and in other spots, the old walls rise perhaps 10 ft off the bottom. But otherwise, everything is pretty broken down. This forms many hiding holes for lobster and rock crabs, and there is one in almost every hole, and some quite large. The Sea Bass are also good-sized. Yellowish natural sponges and bottles are easy to find.
More: Immaculata ...
- Type:
- shipwreck, tanker, USA
- Built:
- 1921, Bethlehem Quincy, Quincy MA USA
- Specs:
- ( 468 x 62 ft ) 8327 gross tons, 38 crew
- Sunk:
- Wednesday February 4, 1942
torpedoed by U-103 - 12 survivors - Depth:
- 190 ft
More: India Arrow ...
- Type:
- schooner barge & tugboat ?
- Depth:
- 85 ft
This is a fascinating big wreck of a wooden schooner barge. The broken stern is upended, forming a hollow pyramid that is full of fish. The sides and keel extend north from there to the bow, from which extends a chain which reaches to another much smaller wreck, which is known as the "Inshore Tug."
More: Inshore Barge/Tug ...
General
Most underwater hunting in New Jersey waters is done around some sort of structure. Surprise is often the key element to a successful hunt. "Get the drop" on a fish by rounding a corner or popping up over a wall while holding your breath. Don't use a light - this just spooks the fish. Instead, let your eyes adjust to the dark. This way you can see as well as they can, although they can still hear and feel you coming a mile away. Use your light only to peek into black holes, and keep one eye closed when you do, to avoid losing all dark adaptation.
Try to be the first person in the water. The fish will be in a relaxed and unworried state, and you will likely get the first one "for free". This is especially true if you are after trophy-sized Blackfish. Whether or not you score on your first shot, after that all the fish in the area will be spooked. This is because they produce "fear scents" - chemical excretions that warn other fish that there is danger. If you make a kill, you will put blood in the water, which is even worse. So make that first shot count. On the other hand, sometimes the scent of blood will bring in more fish, such as greedy Sea Bass, although more often just Cunners.
More: Spearfishing Techniques ...