New Jersey South for the First Time - Recommendations?

[w3lgi]

I am currently on the Metedeconk River in New Jersey and am heading south for the first time on a powerboat with a draft of 5 feet.

I am very experienced with both small and large vessels as I grew up on the water and have piloted vessels between 37 -> 60ft. My concern here is that I am not familiar with the Jersey area, its ICW depths, etc. With that said, what I am trying to determine is if it is better to stay on the inside down to AC or to go north through Point Pleasant and then up the Manasquan River where I would punch out and take the Atlantic down to Atlantic City.

Has anyone done this recently and/or have any thoughts? - I am looking to depart in a few weeks,