moriches inlet

Gerard,

I have never been through Jones Inlet, but Moriches Inlet can be very rough, and I am positive it is not as "comfortable" as J.I. Moriches Inlet is not even recognized as an official inlet. It is not bouyed by the Coast Guard. The bouys that run in Moriches Bay are set up from Fire Island Inlet. The inlet has a bar that runs almost all the way across it's mouth. It is also a shallow bay with narrow channels.

But the fishing in Moriches is great, inshore and offshore. We mainly fish out of Fire Island Inlet but whenever we can, we go out of Moriches. The bay is flushed more than F.I. Inlet and the water is usually cleaner. There are also a few wrecks and reefs within easy reach and the water gets deeper faster than the West.

While the inlet and bay may not be as easy as others, once you learn it, it is worth it. The best way to go out of the inlet is, once you clear the jetties, head east paralleling the beach. Once you pass the bar and the breakers, it is clear sailing. Check out a chart or Mapquest.com to see what the area is like.

Alan,

Moriches Inlet is not in Center Moriches. It is in East Moriches. I checked Mapquest last night and the inlet is shown on there. It is South of the CG station. If you are interested in checking aeiral photos of the place, or anywhere else in NY state, go to

http://www.nysgis.state.ny.us/index.html

If you need help figuring out how to use the site e-mail me and I will explain it. I use it all the time to find hunting spots.

You can also drive to the inlet if you like. It is at the East end of Smith Point County Park. A long ride down the beach. Or, the West end of Cupsogue County Park, shorter beach ride but much longer ride out to West Hampton. Either way you will need the county beach permit.

The deeper water is pretty much down the middle. There is a deep hole off the end of the West jetty and a shallow bar along the East jetty. If I am going outside, I just stay in the middle till clearing the jetties and then turn to the east and literally parallel the beach.

All of the inlets can have their hairy moments. It is just the nature of the beast when you have all that water flooding through the little gap in the land. They all need to be carefully navigated and always be weary on an ebb tide with a wind going against it. I am postive that Moriches is one of the trickyest around here. I have never been through J.I. so I can't compare it to F.I. I have also seen boats get caught in breakers in F.I.

Scalawag,

You are right. You do need to know the area well. Best way would be to go out with someone who knows the area. However, I am sure you would be fine out there on your own. All you really have to do is take your time, pay close attention to your charts, and most of all, follow the locals carefully.

I would suggest, heading out there on nice calm weekday, so the traffic is light and you can take your time. I don't know what kind of boat you have, obviously a smaller boat would help. Once you get a handle on the bay and inlet while it is nice, visit the inlet on a rougher day. You will see the break and the holes I have spoke of.

Since you are not a Brookhaven resident, you would have to launch from the Smith Point Marina, County Permit required, and make the approximately four mile run down the bay to the inlet. As you can see, the bay is bouyed but unfortunately, the cuts to the inlet aren't. This is where the charts and local knowledge come in most of all.

The fishing is worth it.

Anything else I can do to help send me an e-mail.