Asbury Park memories

[fishlipper]

It's a city in transition, old vs new. Some day people will not remember the "old" Asbury because it will have been replaced by gleaming steel and glass. Took some pics the other day.

Anyone else who has memories of the "old" Asbury, either pics or stories, let's see em. Show what you got. :thumbsup:

[pinhead44]

Have some wild memories of concerts at Convention Hall, back in the day. :plastered::bong2: :D

[bababooey]

Smoking and drinking, little interference from Johnny Law, drunk hotties at the Stone Pony, one night stands? :o :D
Didn't get any better than that.

[bluesdude71]

Have some wild memories of concerts at Convention Hall, back in the day. :plastered::bong2: :D


Yup, me too, some so wild I forgot half the details. ;):viking::hippie:

[wish4fish]

nyone been to the metal fest in the winter?:banghead2:

[albiealert]

Seen Bruce there a few times at the Stone Pony. Wonder if he'll ever play there again, maybe a surprise visit?

[plugginpete]

Hey man any chance of putting those pics up? My aunt and uncle are stuck in the 80s, saw a lot of bands there, and they might be happy to see the pics. thanks

[fishlipper]

Here ya go, pete.

[fishlipper]

casino

[fishlipper]

The lake

[fishlipper]

Wesley lake

[fishlipper]

more

[fishlipper]

construction

[fishlipper]

Stone Pony

[fishlipper]

Wonderbar

[fishlipper]

Convention hall

[fishlipper]

more

[voyager35]

Very nice pics. :thumbsup:

[fishlipper]

Athenagoras plaza

[fishlipper]

Paramountd Theatre sign

[fishlipper]

architecture

[clamchucker]

Great thread fish, brings back memories. You should have seen Asbury in the late 60's. It looked like a war zone.

[Sudsy]

Anyone remember the bar at the Jefferson Hotel
Circa 1980 to '83 The guy behind the bar, who was also the local bookie (got busted, spelled the end of the Jefferson), made the greatest Long Island Iced Tea's of all time !

[strikezone31]

Anyone remember the bar at the Jefferson Hotel
Circa 1980 to '83 The guy behind the bar, who was also the local bookie (got busted, spelled the end of the Jefferson), made the greatest Long Island Iced Tea's of all time !

Waht the eff were you doin hanging at the Asbury bars other than the Stone Pony or the Saint? U a member of the rainbow club, hanging at the Paradise? :kooky: Not that there's anything wrong with gay guys, but why hang out at night there unless you're seeing a show?

I like these asbury pics, cool. :thumbsup:

[wish4fish]

Waht the eff were you doin hanging at the Asbury bars other than the Stone Pony or the Saint? U a member of the rainbow club, hanging at the Paradise? :kooky: Not that there's anything wrong with gay guys, but why hang out at night there unless you're seeing a show?

I like these asbury pics, cool. :thumbsup:

hate to say it but he's right. i fish asbury, but unless you're at the convention hall at night, hanging around the streets is like lookin for a sausage party, lol. :wow:

[bunkerjoe4]

Waht the eff were you doin hangin at the Asbury bars other than the Stone Pony or the Saint? U a member of the rainbow club, hanging at the Paradise? :kooky: Not that there's anything wrong with gay guys, but why hang out at night there unless you're seeing a show?

I like these asbury pics, cool. :thumbsup:


hate to say it but he's right. i fish asbury, but unless you're at the convention hall at night, hanging around the streets is like lookin for a sausage party, lol. :wow:

I guess you guys never heard of our newest member, Sudsy. I don't think I have ever met him. He is pretty well-known on the internet, and more importantly, in the world of surf fishing, and fishing activism.

From what I understand, he has tirelessly been fighting for the rights of surfcasters and fishermen for several years now, from getting the restrictive fence at Sandy Hook removed, to starting and maintaining interest in the current Long branch/Deal parking situation.

There are many out there fighting for our rights, and they all deserve thanks. Sudsy seems to go above and beyond. He will not give up, no matter what the odds. He was the original catalyst for some of the posts you have seen posted here from other sites, and deserves a lot of credit. :clapping:

Let me be the first to say welcome, Sudsy. :HappyWave: Thanks for coming aboard, and for all that you have done to protect and maintain the rights of fishermen everywhere.

Here is a link to a current thread talking about his latest effort to keep surfcasters on the jetties.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=1009

And another link relating some of the problems that led up to the current situation we have.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=913

And a 3rd link listing the current access battle in Brookhaven, LI.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=990



This would be a good time to ask anyone who is reading this to get involved, if they have not already. This issue is not only happening in NJ, it is happening in NY. And there are access issues in Hatteras, NC as well. If we lose access this time, it may be a long time before we get it back.

So yes, every single person who reads this can make a difference, if you get involved. Please don't leave it up to the other guy. Thanks again, folks, we are all in this together. :clapping:


As for the hanging in Asbury bars part, a lot of you younger members might not know that Asbury was a great place to hang out in the 80's because the bars stayed open later and things were much more laid back back then, so many gravitated toward that party town. :plastered:

I don't think he's gay *(not that there's anything wrong with that), just a guy who liked to party hard.

Now you may go back to whatever ball-busting it is that you off the wall fishermen do when you're not catching big bass -- bunkerjoe

[bababooey]

Some pics I found.

[captnemo]

HoJo

[captnemo]

vintage

[captnemo]

postcards

[clamchucker]

Nice pics, memories of a bygone era. Thanks for posting.

[DarkSkies]

Ran into Shaky today, I used to run into him more often before I got smited. ;) This guy knows how to tell a story. I remember one Spring fling we went to, he had me and another guy waiting for every word he said. We were freezing in 40 degree windy weather, and no one wanted to leave until he finished tellin some of the war stories. He's got more than a few. I hope he puts a book out someday, the stories are that good.

He invited me back to the site to check out his hospital story, but I don't have time to go there anymore. In the meantime, here's his words, like no one else could spin it, about Asbury.

Good runnin into ya today, man, I'll keep wishin for good things for ya. :HappyWave:






[Shaky's Asbury story:]

I decided to check out the Asbury show this year, it's been a little over forty years since I last vacationed there. I was psyched driving down yesterday, nice weather and all, only to find out there was a cat show going on and I was a day early http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/redface.gif

I drove down Asbury Ave. and the houses looked vaguely familiar, hey forty years is a long time. I was looking for the old Belmont Hotel, pretty sure that was the name of it and I believe it stood on the dirt lot at the end of the private houses.

The amusement park was still there, but it looked like just an old building with nothing inside. I took the left and headed toward convention hall. The boardwalk was empty compared to the old days. Every where you went there was ski ball, wheels of fortune, shooting galleries, a few miniature golf courses and water pistol games. Stuffed animals galore, cotton candy and the donut shop where they boiled em up right before your eyes. Kid paradise, it looks barren now http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/frown.gif

I walked into the hall, it looked a little dark and dingy, not quite how i remembered it. Saw my first concert there, don't remember the name of the group, but they played "love potion number nine". In 68 my last year there, the Doors were playing at the hall, but we couldn't get tickets.

Thought back fondly of the days i spent body surfing and fishing and remembered the last day at the jetty in front of the hall catching tinkers, snappers and baby amberjacks and earlier trips fishing the rocks by the amusement park catching fluke and dropping a doormat in between the rocks, unable to fit in between them to get him.

Breakfast was usually at Harry's grill which I believe was on the next ave south of asbury and had my first cheeseburger at this little hole in the wall joint maybe a block up from the beach. Yep, some really great memories.

Stopped back today, ran into Bob MclCloskey at the door, hung out with squidlips for awhile, and ran into Gerry the Deacon and family. Doesn't get much more awesome than that.

Stopped by to see the fishing goddess and offered my lap dancing services a couple of years too late. she passed which was a good thing because my arthritis was killing me, i could barely walk, let alone wiggle. I offered to let her rub my scar for good luck http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/naughty.gif but she declined on that offer as well. Can't say that i blame her the damn things been nothing but bad luck for me http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm31.gif

Ran into the Big Gene family, mr., mrs and little missy, who happens to be turning out some nice looking plugs http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/icon14.gif http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/icon14.gif You collectors might want to add one or two of these to your collection, you never know, Casey might turn out to be the next Lefty. http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/smile.gif

Called Stewie to see where he was as we were supposed to hook up, but he never made the trip. he sent me over to the afterhours table to introduce myself to Don. Saw the kids first and one gave me the hard sell. This is my favorite plug out of all of them. Hands me a yellow pencil popper. I catch the most fish on this one. How much? For you twenty. Sold. http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm27.gif http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm27.gif

Hoed a coupla plugs from Scotty on the way out http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/wink.gif and headed home. Nice trip, though it made me sad to see the place so run down. Might even do it again next year.

*******************************

Some old Asbury bands for Shaky :HappyWave:

Love potion #9 the Searchers
7rXhXLsNJL8

Doors
Z3DElGznXIE

03L2XbynfR4

[baitstealer]

Asbury Park

oxRp8kZe_34

[lostatsea]

Any fans of Bruce Springsteen out there? I saw him at the Stone Pony 3 times.:plastered:

[plugaholic]

I did, but not Asbury. Ever see him in Philly? Used to love the boobalicious girls at Bruce shows.:naughty:

[voyager35]

Any fans of Bruce Springsteen out there? I saw him at the Stone Pony 3 times.:plastered:

Lostatsea, I saw Bruce in Asbury many times, some of the best times of my teen years. I found this on youtube. The guy is obviously a Bruce fan, He did an amazing tribute to Asbury and Long Branch with Bruce and the E Street band as background. I got a lump in my throat watching it. It's not to often that something gets to me. Fantastic compilation, cheesydude. :clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping:

wxd9t81d6ck

[DarkSkies]

Someone who used to fish that pier and the structure around it sent me this e-mail today, thanks.




"Thanks for the threads on Asbury and the Long Branch pier. Excellent pictures.

The Asbury convention center was also a prime spot for weakfish, blues and fluke. Even some albies in the fall.'

[cowherder]

Old Asbury fishing pier. I did some checking and found they had a fishing pier at asbury. Would anyone have any idea exactly where it was? I got the info from these postcards


9226

9227

[storminsteve]

Cowherder from the way those pics are situated, it looks like the pier was not near any of the storm water discharges from Deal lake or that other lake down by the casino. I found this pic which said it was on First Ave.
9470



If you look at the pics here it seems the Pier could have been in the middle of these 2. There are no indications of lakes nearby.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9B07E2DE153EE233A25757C1A9609C946997D6CF

[skinner]

[Shaky's Asbury story:]

I decided to check out the Asbury show this year, it's been a little over forty years since I last vacationed there. I was psyched driving down yesterday, nice weather and all, only to find out there was a cat show going on and I was a day early

I drove down Asbury Ave. and the houses looked vaguely familiar, hey forty years is a long time. I was looking for the old Belmont Hotel, pretty sure that was the name of it and I believe it stood on the dirt lot at the end of the private houses.

The amusement park was still there, but it looked like just an old building with nothing inside. I took the left and headed toward convention hall. The boardwalk was empty compared to the old days. Every where you went there was ski ball, wheels of fortune, shooting galleries, a few miniature golf courses and water pistol games. Stuffed animals galore, cotton candy and the donut shop where they boiled em up right before your eyes. Kid paradise, it looks barren now

I walked into the hall, it looked a little dark and dingy, not quite how i remembered it. Saw my first concert there, don't remember the name of the group, but they played "love potion number nine". In 68 my last year there, the Doors were playing at the hall, but we couldn't get tickets.

Thought back fondly of the days i spent body surfing and fishing and remembered the last day at the jetty in front of the hall catching tinkers, snappers and baby amberjacks and earlier trips fishing the rocks by the amusement park catching fluke and dropping a doormat in between the rocks, unable to fit in between them to get him.

Breakfast was usually at Harry's grill which I believe was on the next ave south of asbury and had my first cheeseburger at this little hole in the wall joint maybe a block up from the beach. Yep, some really great memories.

Stopped back today, ran into Bob MclCloskey at the door, hung out with squidlips for awhile, and ran into Gerry the Deacon and family. Doesn't get much more awesome than that.

Stopped by to see the fishing goddess and offered my lap dancing services a couple of years too late. she passed which was a good thing because my arthritis was killing me, i could barely walk, let alone wiggle. I offered to let her rub my scar for good luck but she declined on that offer as well. Can't say that i blame her the damn things been nothing but bad luck for me

Ran into the Big Gene family, mr., mrs and little missy, who happens to be turning out some nice looking plugs You collectors might want to add one or two of these to your collection, you never know, Casey might turn out to be the next Lefty.

Called Stewie to see where he was as we were supposed to hook up, but he never made the trip. he sent me over to the afterhours table to introduce myself to Don. Saw the kids first and one gave me the hard sell. This is my favorite plug out of all of them. Hands me a yellow pencil popper. I catch the most fish on this one. How much? For you twenty. Sold.

Hoed a coupla plugs from Scotty on the way out and headed home. Nice trip, though it made me sad to see the place so run down. Might even do it again next year.



Great story thank you for that story shaky.

[skinner]

153201532115322


Some new, with the old.

[skinner]

1532315324

[bababooey]

[Shaky's Asbury story:]

I decided to check out the Asbury show this year, it's been a little over forty years since I last vacationed there. I was psyched driving down yesterday, nice weather and all, only to find out there was a cat show going on and I was a day early http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/redface.gif

I drove down Asbury Ave. and the houses looked vaguely familiar, hey forty years is a long time. I was looking for the old Belmont Hotel, pretty sure that was the name of it and I believe it stood on the dirt lot at the end of the private houses.

The amusement park was still there, but it looked like just an old building with nothing inside. I took the left and headed toward convention hall. The boardwalk was empty compared to the old days. Every where you went there was ski ball, wheels of fortune, shooting galleries, a few miniature golf courses and water pistol games. Stuffed animals galore, cotton candy and the donut shop where they boiled em up right before your eyes. Kid paradise, it looks barren now http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/frown.gif

I walked into the hall, it looked a little dark and dingy, not quite how i remembered it. Saw my first concert there, don't remember the name of the group, but they played "love potion number nine". In 68 my last year there, the Doors were playing at the hall, but we couldn't get tickets.

Thought back fondly of the days i spent body surfing and fishing and remembered the last day at the jetty in front of the hall catching tinkers, snappers and baby amberjacks and earlier trips fishing the rocks by the amusement park catching fluke and dropping a doormat in between the rocks, unable to fit in between them to get him.

Breakfast was usually at Harry's grill which I believe was on the next ave south of asbury and had my first cheeseburger at this little hole in the wall joint maybe a block up from the beach. Yep, some really great memories.

Stopped back today, ran into Bob MclCloskey at the door, hung out with squidlips for awhile, and ran into Gerry the Deacon and family. Doesn't get much more awesome than that.

Stopped by to see the fishing goddess and offered my lap dancing services a couple of years too late. she passed which was a good thing because my arthritis was killing me, i could barely walk, let alone wiggle. I offered to let her rub my scar for good luck http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/naughty.gif but she declined on that offer as well. Can't say that i blame her the damn things been nothing but bad luck for me http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm31.gif

Ran into the Big Gene family, mr., mrs and little missy, who happens to be turning out some nice looking plugs http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/icon14.gif http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/icon14.gif You collectors might want to add one or two of these to your collection, you never know, Casey might turn out to be the next Lefty. http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/smile.gif

Called Stewie to see where he was as we were supposed to hook up, but he never made the trip. he sent me over to the afterhours table to introduce myself to Don. Saw the kids first and one gave me the hard sell. This is my favorite plug out of all of them. Hands me a yellow pencil popper. I catch the most fish on this one. How much? For you twenty. Sold. http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm27.gif http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm27.gif

Hoed a coupla plugs from Scotty on the way out http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/wink.gif and headed home. Nice trip, though it made me sad to see the place so run down. Might even do it again next year.

*******************************

Some old Asbury bands for Shaky :HappyWave:

Love potion #9 the Searchers
7rXhXLsNJL8

Doors
Z3DElGznXIE

03L2XbynfR4

Might not be a convention hall anymore,fellas.


From app.com
Asbury ParkNo events scheduled at Convention Hall complex after May 1 (http://asburyparksun.com/no-events-scheduled-at-convention-hall-complex-after-may-1/)
Grand Arcade would also be closed if issue over fire safety requirements not resolved


No events are scheduled at the Convention Hall complex after May 1, and a long-running issue over a requirement to install sprinklers may leave the building closed indefinitely. Closure would affect all areas, including the Grand Arcade [shown above].

The state fire code was changed in 2006 to require public facilities like the Convention Hall complex to install a sprinkler system, said fire chief Kevin Keddy. The city and Madison Marquette, the boardwalk redeveloper which owns the building, signed a consent order last year requiring the sprinklers to be installed by 2015, as long as certain benchmarks were met along the way, Keddy said.
But Madison Marquette says it operates the Paramount Theater, Convention Hall and the Grand Arcade at a loss every year, and the cost of the sprinkler installation makes it untenable to keep the whole building open.

“The prohibitive expense of sprinklering the building was discussed when the recent agreement was reached, and the consent order includes a section which allows Madison to forego installing sprinklers and close the building if ‘continued operation of the Convention Hall Complex is not economically feasible’,” said

Madison Marquette senior vice president Anselm Fusco in a statement.
“The requirement to install sprinklers in nearly all of historic Convention Hall is very expensive — we’ve received quotes for the work in excess of $1 million,” said Fusco. “The building is costly to operate — it runs at a significant loss every year — and to invest so much additional capital in this situation is not economically feasible.”

The city and the redeveloper are currently looking for a solution, Fusco said, which could result in a modification in the use and operation of the building. No events were scheduled in the Paramount, Convention Hall or the Grand Arcade after May 1 because it was unknown if a financially feasible solution to the sprinkler issue could be found, he said.

“Pending the outcome of these conversations, Madison Marquette has not scheduled any events in the Paramount Theater, Convention Hall or Grand Arcade after May 1 because we do not yet know if we will find a financially viable way to keep the building open,” Fusco said.
“We did everything in consultation with the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety,” said Keddy, in reference to the various administrative actions taken by the city going back to 2007 requiring the sprinkler installation, including the most recent consent order.

Madison Marquette may be granted a delay in implementing the sprinkler installation benchmarks because of Hurricane Sandy, said Keddy, as the consent order allows extra time in the event of a natural disaster.

Individual special events can still be held, as permits for specific events at a specific time can be granted under the fire code, he said. Madison Marquette can also continue to operate the building if it meets the benchmarks toward sprinkler installation, which include submitting plans, choosing contractors and beginning the work, according to Keddy.

The fire code has no provision to waive the sprinkler system requirement because of excessive costs of installation, Keddy said.
Meanwhile, both the city and Madison Marquette continue to search for a solution to avoid shutting down the Convention Hall complex.
The city wants to find a solution, but the requirements of the fire safety code must be met, said Keddy. ”No one wants to see it closed. I don’t want to see it closed. It’s not good for anyone,” he said.
“We are engaged in conversations with city officials on this issue, and are hopeful that we can find a way to modify how the building is currently used, comply with all code requirements, and continue to keep some or most of this great building open to the public,” said Fusco.

[bababooey]

Another look at Asbury -


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRbLJxqvKQ

[hookedonbass]

great thread gents. Took this photo when down there last week. New but retro old fashioned

18076

[buckethead]

Have seen that several times, hooked. Nice capture. I was looking for videos on the jetties and found this on Asbury and the Asbury boardwalk. Interesting times back then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zxXmz8y25M

[hookedonbass]

Ye old wonder bar

[finchaser]

wonder bar

[finchaser]

after a snow

[lostatsea]

Thanks for that. I was at asbury was for the plug show in march. I didn't know how run down it was and how they were making a comeback until someone said so. Did any of you guys ever catch big stripers there? I saw a pretty big jetty right in front of convention hall. You would think that would hold some fish during the year.

[jigfreak]

There are no bass from MB to Island beach. Theyre all on extended summer vacation in Mass.;)
Asbury Convention Hall used to have some great bands. Stone Pony used to rock out with the freaky chicks. Those were the days.

[surfrob]

There are no bass from MB to Island beach. Theyre all on extended summer vacation in Mass.;)
....

:cool: