It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Squan Village Historical Society in Manasquan, NJ gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Manasquan, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living”
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“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care.”
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“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago”
“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”
“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”
“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”
“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”
“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”
“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”
“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”
“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”
“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mallard Park in Manasquan, NJ with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Blend on Main or visit Glimmer Glass Bridge, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Manasquan, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Manasquan, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Manasquan, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Construction along Main Street in Manasquan is cutting into critical late-summer business, with merchants saying road closures, detours and fewer parking spaces are keeping customers away.The Jersey Shore borough is replacing aging water and sewer lines beneath Main Street ahead of a major intersection reconstruction project by Monmouth County that is set to begin in November, 2026.The current project is expected to be finished by the end of September. But for some merchants, its timing during the summer tourism season is takin...
Construction along Main Street in Manasquan is cutting into critical late-summer business, with merchants saying road closures, detours and fewer parking spaces are keeping customers away.
The Jersey Shore borough is replacing aging water and sewer lines beneath Main Street ahead of a major intersection reconstruction project by Monmouth County that is set to begin in November, 2026.
The current project is expected to be finished by the end of September. But for some merchants, its timing during the summer tourism season is taking a toll.
Kathy Weston, owner of Weston Gallery, said her business remains open even though construction has closed her section of Main Street to traffic. She said her late-summer sales are down about 30%.
“It has a huge impact,” Weston said. “We don't have those droves of people who just like to walk the streets coming in.”
Weston said August business is particularly important for getting her gallery through the slower fall months.
“We count on August to get through September and October into November until we're busy again in December,” Weston explained.
Visitors are also frustrated navigating the closures.
“I was trying to figure out how do I get through this mess to continue on our bike route because the streets are closed,” said Michele DeDea, of Brielle, NJ. “I just can't figure out for the life of me why they started this project in the middle of the summer."
Cathy Wolfe, owner of B.C. Woof, said the construction has affected foot traffic and parking.
“You know, people can't find parking places,” Wolfe said.
In a statement, Manasquan's mayor said he understands why people are frustrated but said postponing the work could have delayed the county project, potentially pushing construction and traffic disruptions deep into next year and possibly 2028.
Wolfe said she recognizes that the work needs to be done but wishes it had been handled differently.
“I'd like to have seen them do it at night,” Wolfe said. “I know they have to do this but they didn't have to do it in the middle of summer."
For merchants relying on the final weeks of the summer season, the work means short-term pain as they wait for the project to wrap up by the end of September.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.
MANASQUAN, NJ — It wasn't just Manasquan beaches where needles washed up last weekend: Two syringes were found in Seaside Park Saturday afternoon, and one lone needle was found in Point Pleasant Beach, said the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).Local health authorities responded to those beaches and found no additional debris. As a result, those beaches remained open.Approximately 60 needles washed up on a Manasquan beach Saturday. The medical needles, used for things such as at-home insulin injectio...
MANASQUAN, NJ — It wasn't just Manasquan beaches where needles washed up last weekend: Two syringes were found in Seaside Park Saturday afternoon, and one lone needle was found in Point Pleasant Beach, said the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Local health authorities responded to those beaches and found no additional debris. As a result, those beaches remained open.
Approximately 60 needles washed up on a Manasquan beach Saturday. The medical needles, used for things such as at-home insulin injections, likely came from sewer overflows in the northern part of the state and were carried by the wind and currents down the Jersey Shore.
There was heavy rain Thursday night, and older sewers in parts of New Jersey flooded and overflowed their contents into the ocean, said DEP spokesman Larry Hajna. It's a familiar phenomenon.
The needles were mixed in with other household garbage that washed up on the beach near the Manasquan Inlet.
Manasquan residents confirmed it wasn't just needles, but also thousands of pieces of trash that washed up on the beach.
"There were hundreds or maybe thousands of pieces of plastic," Manasquan resident Sandy Perry told CBS.
"Syringes, cut straws, syringe plungers, syringe caps, small plastic baggies," said Priscilla Mahajan, another resident.
Many residents volunteered their time cleaning up the beaches Saturday. The town of Manasquan also cleaned and thoroughly raked the beach. The beach was closed Saturday, but reopened for swimming Sunday, after three high-tide cycles.
Floatable debris washups involving large amounts of trash, plastic, wood or syringes are uncommon, says the NJ DEP.
"However, they can occur following heavy rainstorms in the northern part of the state and following days of persistently strong northeasterly or easterly winds and currents," said Hajna. "The New York City area experienced nearly three inches of rain on Thursday, August 20. That significant rainfall contributed to combined sewer overflows in the New York City area and contributed to the subsequent floatable debris wash-up in Manasquan."
The state of New Jersey asks residents to throw at-home insulin needles into the trash, and NOT flush them down the toilet.
The public can report trash and debris floating in the ocean to the NJDEP 24-hour hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
Dozens of syringes and other debris were found on the beach in Manasquan on the Jersey Shore over the weekend.Beachgoers found large amounts of garbage strewn across the water's edge Saturday. Crews picked up an estimated 60 syringes mixed in with other household garbage.Officials said the debris appeared and disappeared within two high-tide cycles. The water was off limits to swimmers Saturday while the beach ground remained open."Syringes is kind of upsetting. The plastics is too, just the sheer amount of it. Ther...
Dozens of syringes and other debris were found on the beach in Manasquan on the Jersey Shore over the weekend.
Beachgoers found large amounts of garbage strewn across the water's edge Saturday. Crews picked up an estimated 60 syringes mixed in with other household garbage.
Officials said the debris appeared and disappeared within two high-tide cycles. The water was off limits to swimmers Saturday while the beach ground remained open.
"Syringes is kind of upsetting. The plastics is too, just the sheer amount of it. There were hundreds or maybe thousands of pieces of plastic," said resident Sandy Perry.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Monmouth County health officials inspected the area and deemed it safe Sunday.
Resident Priscilla Mahajan said she still found concerning items after the water reopened.
"Syringes, cut straws, syringe plungers, syringe caps, small plastic baggies," said Mahajan.
She said she thinks officials reopened the beach too soon.
"I think safety comes first. We could have easily just moved them down a little bit farther north, considering things get caught up in this area between the inlet and the rocks," she said. "We could have just erred on the side of caution, like they should have done in "Jaws.'"
Local officials said the incident is isolated, and there should be no concern of a continuing problem.
"I don't want to see any syringes, or step on any, that's for sure," Perry said.
Lifeguards are monitoring the beach to make sure everyone stays safe.
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The Big Brothers Big Sisters beach volleyball tournament will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at Main Street Beach in Manasquan.Updated Wed, Aug 19, 2026 at 11:57 am ETThe 2025 winners of the recreational bracket. (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey)MANASQUAN, NJ — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey opened registration for its 20th annual Beach Volleyball Tournament.The beach volleyball tournament will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. ...
Updated Wed, Aug 19, 2026 at 11:57 am ET
The 2025 winners of the recreational bracket. (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey)
MANASQUAN, NJ — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey opened registration for its 20th annual Beach Volleyball Tournament.
The beach volleyball tournament will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at Main Street Beach in Manasquan.
Built on teamwork and friendly competition, the tournament unites local businesses, families and friends for a high-energy day on the sand. Over the past two decades, the event has raised over $400,000 to directly fund Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring programs — matching local youth with dedicated adult mentors who help them unleash their full potential.
"When we started the tournament, we hoped it would become something that people would look forward to every year, but we never really knew how long it would last or how much it would grow," said Brian Higgins, former board of trustee and honoree. "Seeing what it has become and how many returning teams and supporters we have is something I’m really proud of. It’s been a real privilege to be part of the growth, and the best part is knowing that every year we grow, we’re able to provide more support to kids who need it."
"Our agency is fortunate to have partners and teams who continue to show up for this tournament year after year, and many who have even increased their support along the way,” said William Salcedo, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey. “That kind of commitment means a lot to the kids we serve and to us. We’re grateful to everyone who makes this event possible, and I’m looking forward to another great tournament this year.”
Details:
Opportunities for everyone: Competitive and recreational brackets make this a fun event for all skill levels and ages.
Guaranteed gameplay: Every registered team is guaranteed a minimum of three games.
Perks included: Tournament play, giveaways, breakfast, lunch, prizes and trophies for top teams and fundraisers.
Team registration: Fundraising goals are set at $125 per adult participant and $100 per student participant.
To form a team, donate, or explore corporate sponsorship opportunities, visit the official event page at mentornj.org/volleyball.
The tournament is proudly supported by: Surf Taco Coastal Cuisine, Gee Gee’s Deli, Starbucks, 90.5 The Night, Beacon Wealth Partners, Keith Onto, Fortune Title Agency and Keith P. Walsh & Sons Plumbing & Heating.
To learn more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister, or to donate, visit mentornj.org.
@east.coast.shredderz/@macjohnson1/Instagram A group of shark anglers in New Jersey reeled in a tiger shark last week during a charter trip along the coast of Manasquan, possibly offering clues about the species' expanding range in the Mid-Atlantic region.The rare catch was made July 27 from the beach in Monmouth County, where the group used a heavy duty rig to reel the male tiger shark in from about 400 meters off shore.MORE: Horseshoe crab blood is valuable for health research, but groups claim N.J. falls shor...
@east.coast.shredderz/@macjohnson1/Instagram
A group of shark anglers in New Jersey reeled in a tiger shark last week during a charter trip along the coast of Manasquan, possibly offering clues about the species' expanding range in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The rare catch was made July 27 from the beach in Monmouth County, where the group used a heavy duty rig to reel the male tiger shark in from about 400 meters off shore.
MORE: Horseshoe crab blood is valuable for health research, but groups claim N.J. falls short of protecting species
"For a tiger shark to come this far north, I mean, we've all been in the game for a while, and we've never heard of a tiger shark being caught from New Jersey," said Kenny Rosenblatt, a member of the shark fishing charter East Coast Shredderz. "Especially one of that size."
Tiger sharks — not to be confused with smaller sand tiger sharks — are present in large parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and are among the world's largest shark species. Sometimes called the "trash cans of the sea," they have voracious diets and can be aggressive with humans depending on the nature of the encounter. They grow to 10-14 feet, with large adults weighing upwards of 1,400 pounds.
Rosenblatt and the rest of the crew were not able to measure their tiger shark, but they estimate it was up to 12 feet long and weighed 700 to 800 pounds. The shark only was on shore for about a minute to get pictures before it was released.
A post shared by Mac Johnson (@macjohnson1)
"You just have to kind of guide them," Rosenblatt said. "Get them past the first couple waves and then on their way they go."
In the United States, tiger sharks are most commonly found in the warm coastal waters of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and around the Hawaiian islands. They've also become more common off the coast of the Carolinas. Their presence in New Jersey is relatively unusual compared to other species. Shark anglers as far north as Massachusetts caught a juvenile tiger shark late last month, too.
"While it is not typical to see tiger sharks off New Jersey, the entire ocean is their home and climate change and ocean warming are opening up their preferred range," said Brooke Flammang, a professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology who specializes in shark research. "They follow the food, and changes in ocean temperature are affecting everything from plankton to whales and in between."
East Coast Shredderz regularly collaborates with experienced shark anglers up and down the Atlantic, where the sport's popularity is growing. Shark fishing is more established in the southern states, but New Jersey has become a hotspot in recent years.
"Something's definitely changing in these New Jersey waters," Rosenblatt said. "It's definitely warmer. It's definitely more clear. There have been more tropical fish spotted, like smaller fish that you would maybe see more in the southern states."
Summer is typically when a range of shark species migrate north and are spotted in the Mid-Atlantic. Rosenblatt usually catches a mix of sandbar sharks, spinner sharks, sand tigers, blacktip and brown sharks, but he said this year has brought some surprises.
"There's been a lot of bull sharks, so that's been the new phenomenon," he said. "Everyone's calling them the Jersey bull. Last year, I was one of very few people to actually get a Jersey bull. This year, there's probably been about 15 of us that got Jersey bulls."
During another trip on Sunday night, Rosenblatt and his friends caught a bull shark in Seaside Park that measured 7 feet, 8 inches long.
Provided Image/Kenny Rosenblatt
Rosenblatt started shark fishing about five years ago. His interest grew deeper when he realized the sport needed better gear to handle big sharks and a better public image won by demonstrating responsible practices.
Many of the species anglers catch, including tiger sharks, are protected under federal Atlantic Highly Migratory Species rules and state marine guidelines. Laws are more firmly established in southern states, but there remain gray areas in New Jersey for anglers who fish from the shore.
"You've got to leave them in the wash," Rosenblatt said. "You can't pull them all the way up on the sand."
On the night of the tiger shark catch, Rosenblatt was joined by fellow shark fishermen Mac Johnson, Kurtis Walrath and Rosenblatt's friend Jake. Johnson primarily fishes off the coast of South Carolina, where he's caught tiger sharks in the past. The others are based in New Jersey. The crew was accompanied by a group of people who had booked a charter.
"We'll take people out on the beach, charge them a couple bucks, and we use all of our own gear and explain the situation of how we do it and the proper way to to deal with a fish of that size," Rosenblatt said.
Provided Image/Kenny Rosenblatt
The crew detailed their custom-built rig in an article published last week by the fishing magazine On the Water. Rosenblatt's East Coast Shredderz provided the 30-foot leader with 25 feet of 1200-pound monofilament connected to a 5-foot, 900-pound cable. The sting ray bait was flown off shore using a drone and then dropped into the water. The full group took turns reeling in the shark for 30 seconds to a minute at a time.
"It's better to bring the fish in faster that way. You pass it to the next guy, and then he goes at it for a little bit, and you just keep kind of hammering him in," Rosenblatt said.
East Coast Shredderz typically schedules charter trips in South Jersey, traveling the beaches from Point Pleasant south to Cape May. They also do some trips in the Carolinas. Rosenblatt said he only fishes for sharks at night or in the morning when beaches are clear of people, unlike some amateur anglers who reel them in on crowded shores. The hobby's rapid growth and social media clout have made it controversial, leading states like Massachusetts to tighten regulations on land-based shark fishing.
"It's not shark fishing thats the problem. It's people not doing it properly," Rosenblatt said. "What I'm trying to show everyone is there's a proper way to do it."
Flammang said the tiger shark's slender taper toward the tail suggests it's a subadult shark. She praised the crew's handling of the animal and the rules surrounding its capture.
"The very specific details the anglers gave about their gear and care of the animal showed that they are cognizant and respectful of these guidelines, which is really important for the survival of these amazing creatures," Flammang said.
Great white sharks and other species have been observed off New Jersey's coast with more frequency over the past decade, led by research organizations like Ocearch that tag sharks to track their movements. Rosenblatt said he was recently approached by a tagging company interested in working with East Coast Shredderz.
"That would be pretty cool to try to give them some some more data," Rosenblatt said.
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