The jetties at Barnegat Inlet are popular places for anglers – with good reason. Before I tell you about an incredibly dangerous situation in which I found myself at the inlet some 15 years ago, I will discuss the characteristics of these rock structures.
Jetties and groins are rocky outcroppings from a shoreline, usually artificially placed with the intention to reduce beach erosion, accretion and/or storm surge. Because they’re comprised of hard structure, they attract mollusks, crabs, baitfish and a variety of other forage species, which in turn creates buffet lines for predatory gamefish.
Shape, location, adjacent depth and extent to which a jetty/groin has submerged rocks can influence the degree to which it is productive.
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