Download the mobile app!
Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
The Pots off the Reefs bill, S-221, passed in the state Senate this week by a vote of 31-4. Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth) was the primary sponsor of that bill, which will resolve the gear conflict created by about 20 potters who spread fishing gear 24 hours a day throughout the reefs built with Federal Sportfish Restoration funds (derived...
The Pots off the Reefs bill, S-221, passed in the state Senate this week by a vote of 31-4. Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth) was the primary sponsor of that bill, which will resolve the gear conflict created by about 20 potters who spread fishing gear 24 hours a day throughout the reefs built with Federal Sportfish Restoration funds (derived from the excise tax on sportfishing tackle) along with donations from anglers and divers. The pot strings make it difficult for recreational boaters to drift without hanging up — or to anchor without becoming entangled.
Unfortunately, the identical Assembly bill, A-1152, has been held up due to the lack of a hearing in Cape May Assemblyman Nelson Albano’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. If allowed to come to a vote in the Assembly, it will likely pass just as easily as in the Senate.
Reef Rescue and the N.J. Outdoor Alliance are leading the fight to get this legislation passed, as has been done in many other states.
Keep up with this and other conservation issues as well as fishing reports on my daily blog at nj.com/shore/blogs/fishing.
The IGFA N.J. reps will hold their Fundraising Banquet & Auction on April 1 at 7 p.m. in Doolan’s Restaurant, Spring Lake Heights to benefit the IGFA Junior Angler and Conservation programs. Tickets are $75, and can be ordered from Jeff Merrill at (908) 451-1110 or jeffmerrill2@verizon.net.
Striped bass are being caught on clams and worms from Raritan Bay sod banks, and Joe Mellillo reports from Castaways Tackle in Point Pleasant that the first bass have also been caught in Point Pleasant Canal.
The first striper contest is coming up April 16-17. The Hudson River Striped Bass Derby is basically a catch-and-release contest sponsored by the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association.
Anglers signing up before April 1 receive a discount. Visit stripedbassderby.com for additional information.
The winter flounder season opened Wednesday, but there wasn’t much fanfare for a species so depleted that just last spring it was hard to fill a two flounder limit with a minimum length of 12 inches. Hopefully, the ban on dragging flounder when they’re in the ocean during the summer will help replenish the population of what was once our most prolific species.
Capt. Stan Zagleski starts daily 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. flounder trips today on his Elaine B. from Highlands.
Cod fishing shows no signs of slowing down during the spring.
Ray Bryant of South Orange had 8 cod up to 16 pounds last Friday on the Jamaica II from Brielle.
Capt. Ryan Bogan said Saturday was rough, but cod up to a 21-pounder were caught all around the boat in calm seas Sunday, though the full moon current was still very much strong.
Jody McCloud of Howell bagged 6 to 14 pounds, and Dale Isaacs from Manchester had 5 to 12 pounds.
Capt. Ken Gallop had to fight through spiny dogfish Sunday on wrecks 15 miles offshore, but the Glenn Roberts party still boated 20 cod up to 15 pounds on Big Kid from Brielle Yacht Club.
Capt. Bobby Bogan said weekend fishing produced only a pick of cod and ling at every stop of the Gambler from Point Pleasant due to very strong currents.
Conditions look better this week, and the Gambler will sail from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday trips will be for tautog from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Islander fished wrecks 30 to 50 miles offshore that day, where dogfish were described as “brutal.” Drifting proved more effective for cod, and 40 to 50 keepers were boated — including a few over 20 pounds.
A 9-pound tautog was also caught.
Capt. Pete Wagner is finishing up his winter with Dream Girl in Los Suenos, Costa Rica, averaging eight to 14 sailfish a day.
A group from Kearny headed by Joe Sloan added a big dolphin and a 350-pound blue marlin release to their catch.
Wagner returns to fish his Hyper-Striper out of Twin Lights Marina in Highlands during the first week in April.
This Fishing Report was submitted on 3/25/2011 1:20:42 PM by Seamus and last updated on 3/25/2011 1:20:42 PM.
Including GPX (Universal GPS Format), KML (Google Earth), and XLS (Excel) files.
Gives You Access To:
Download GPS files of fishing spots. Create Custom Maps of fishing spots. Fishing predictions w/ future date & location. Featured Listings for your fishing business.
$7 month or $49 year