Cape Atlantic Outdoors :: South Jersey

Anglers say back bay is alive

Jersey Shore Admin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:21:00 GMT

The back bay is alive with activity where anglers have reported interesting catches, according to Robin Scott of Ray Scott’s Dock in Margate. She said that many of her charter boats and boat renters caught 30- to 50-pound cownose rays behind her dock.
“They look like flounder when they begin to surface,” she said, “and the kids are having so much fun trying to reel them in.”
Mark Vogin and his son, Ethan, 5, brought in a 50-pounder Sunday morning.
Another interesting catch came offshore.
A rose fish was brought in by David Rubin of Margate, who was fishing for tile fish at the Spencer Canyon in 680 feet of water. The fish was about 22.5 inches and weighed 3-4 pounds.
Mike DeVeney, and his friend, Pete, of Northfield, fished for tautog caught a 20-inch tautog using green crabs. Jason Brodo caught a 3.4-pound trigger fish out of Lake’s Bay.
Everyone was catching founder in the back bay, Scott said.
The Garber family caught flounder in the 20-inch range, Lynn and Fred Simon, of Philadelphia, had four keepers and Paul Elliott and his son, Dan, caught three ranging from 18 to 20 inches.
Capt. Ed Giacomucci at Ray Scott’s Dock reported in that he didn’t catch less than 50 fish during each of his charters over the weekend.
Capt. Andy’s, also in Margate, reported that the ocean water temps have been trying to warm during the last week. The reefs and wrecks are starting to give up some flounder and sea bass as the water warms, they reported.
When fishing the wrecks, get in the middle of the rubble and loose a few rigs. Also work on the edges of the reef sites. There have been reports of bluefish being taken around the 28-Mile Wreck and the 750 Square. If the water gets any warmer, croakers should show. So far, those at Capt. Andy’s have not had any reports of any albies in the area.
Capt. Andy’s has also received reports that the kingfish are in the surf. The fishermen at Ventnor and Margate piers are doing well on them. Weakies should be making their presents known around the Ocean City Ferris Wheel soon. There has been a few sharks taken in recently.
Some catches weighed-in at Capt. Andy’s include: “Fire Escape” with Captain Craig and First Mate Greg who had eight nice keeper flounder behind Longport, including a 7.04 pounder. The Fish “N” Fun had three out of 80 in the fog last Wednesday. Corey Solomon and his dad, Lou, were on the “Darlyn Marlyn” with Captain Norm Brook and trolled the Claw on Saturday and went two-for-five on bluefin and Joel Shafer weighed in a nice 5.14-pound flounder he caught in Risley’s Channel on Sunday.
The Jessie O' fleet, out of Margate, had a great week action.
The week’s two thunderstorms produced six keepers on morning bay trip mid-week. An early thunderstorm that delayed departure on Saturday morning’s bay trip produced the big new Jackpot Pool lead fish. Jim Henhaffer of Malaga started the week aboard “Jessie O's Fish N Fun” with a 21-inch flounder. With Saturday’s storm, Henhaffer found a nice 5.4-pound fat flatty to take the lead in the Jackpot pool.
The JCC charter on Friday had tons of action with more than 100 keepers. Jigging the bait of choice, minnows, Gulp and mackerel strips have been good for this week’s keeper flounders. Sal Gattuso of Shalfont, Pa., caught a 19.5-incher and Patrick Heck, 7, of Egg Harbor Township netted a 20.5-incher.
Captain Jay on the “Jessie O II,” had incredible action with the Garafolo group last week. The group boated a 7-pound fatty along with a smattering of sea bass out on the AC Reef. Capt. Jay said has seen more fish action during his daily trips to the ocean.
Capt. Adam Nowalsky of the “Karen Ann II,” sailing from Great Bay Marina, reported that Jim McTague, who was up from Virginia to fish with his family, had a mixed bag of sea bass, tautog and porgies. Rich Salvatore and his son, Sam, caught 10- to 15-pound blues at the Barnegat Ridge. Colin Walsh took his brother Mike, from Ireland, for a fishing trip. The pair landed a handful of fish before being chased off the ocean by lightning, thunder, sideways rain and 40 mph winds.
Rob and Joan Barrett at Dolfin Dock in Somers Point reported some nice fluke in Ships Channel. Loud Cullen of Margate boated an 8-pound doormat on a bucktail with shrimp Gulp. Ed Pierce of Swarthmore, Pa., netted a 5.5-pound flounder on a shiner.
The Barretts reported that weakfish have appeared in the Egg Harbor River. Kelly Gregory of Somers Point outfished her pro-angler dad, Gregory Gregory, by a large margin. She netted herself four weakies up to four pounds.
Fluke are on the move in the Great Egg Harbor Area.
“Things seem to be in a transition,” said Capt. Brook Koeneke of the Duke O’ Fluke of Somers Point. “The Inlet is starting to produce flounder.”
Pool winners early in the week included Jane Good of Sea Isle City, who reeled in an 18-incher while her husband, James, looked on.
On Tuesday afternoon, two members of a group from the ADT company, Andrew Glaberson and Nick Colucci of Philadelphia, picked up 2.5-pound and 2.0-pound keepers, respectively, in the Inlet.
Jessica Keller, 12, of of Marlton won the pool on Thursday with a 2.5-pound fluke. On Friday morning, Bryan Cramer, 13, of Ocean City took home the money after catching a 2.10-pounder. In the afternoon, Bill Pfeiffer of Flemington had another pool with his 2.13-pound flatfish.
In a duel between two brothers from Churchville, Bucks County, on Saturday morning, Ben Blickley, 8, pulled in a 2.13-pound fish to take the pool, besting Zach, 10, who had a 2.10-pounder.
Tom Christ of Brennan Marine in Somers Point said larger fish can be found in or near the GE Inlet. The vast majority of these fish have been caught on minnows and Gulps. Christ had more to report with offshore fishing. Ken Wallace and crew on his boat “Full Course” trolled the 40 Fathom Line and boated a 177-pound bluefin tuna. Dave Burns was on the rod. There were dragging a ballyhoo covered with an Ilander. Matt Miller and company fished on his boat “Brown Eyed Girls” and worked the Lindenkohl Canyon and had several yellowfin tuna in the 60-pound class, some nice dolphin, and they caught and released a white marlin.

Fishing Notes
The Starfish is sailing daily four-hour trips with anglers catching some seabass and throw back tautog. The Lone Star sailing from Miss Chris Marina is taking charters. Go to www.starfishboats.com
Jessie O' II second annual "Thunder Over the Boardwalk" Air Show is Aug. 20. Get the best seat in the house for this year's Air Show aboard the Jessie O' II. Cost is $35. Boat departs from Capt. Andy's Marina in Margate on Amherst Ave. at 9 a.m. Reservations required. Call (609) 412-3635.

(Fishing reports and photos can be e-mailed to Heather Holtzapfel James at heatherholtzapfel@yahoo.com , fax 465-9155 or by calling 624-8900, ext. 215. Reports need to be in by Sunday evening of each week.)

Anglers report active weekend of fishing

NJ Shore Outdoors and Fishing — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:01:09 GMT

Despite breezy conditions and dipping water temperatures the bite was still on last weekend both inshore and offshore.

Robin Scott of Ray Scott’s Dock in Margate said people were catching “tons” of fish.

“It didn’t matter if it was high tide, low tide, incoming or outgoing…everyone was catching something,” said Scott.

The trend to flounder fishing in recent weeks has been using frozen sperring, three to a hook through the eyeballs. Scott was turned on to this method by regular customers Lynn and Fred Simon of Philadelphia.

The water temperature in the bay dipped to 59 degrees last weekend but it didn’t affect the fish bite. Paul Elliott of Ventnor caught four keepers on the outgoing tide Saturday and Kenny Rose of Margate snagged a 9.25-pound flounder from the back bay.

Michael and Rita Cornman of Philadephia caught a 4.05-pound fish behind the Longport Police Station and Rob Herman of Linwood and his two daughters were out last weekend and caught a 9.5-pound, 28-inch flounder.

Scott also said anglers fishing for flounder are picking up some fairly large kingfish. They have been caught with mackerel filets or Berkley Gulp on a flounder hook. It has been consistent for past few weeks and a little unusual when the kingfish are usually caught off the surf.

One of the most unusual catches was by a lifeguard on the Longport beach last weekend. During an outgoing tide in a tidal pool on the beach were three stripers. The lifeguard threw the smaller ones back and kept the largest for dinner.

Tony at Capt. Andy’s in Margate reported offshore fishing is the place to be. The canyons, the Claw, Jim’s Hole, 19 Fathom Lump, Massey’s even the Hambone and Cigar are all producing nice fish. The yellowfin are in the canyons with the bluefin in a little closer. Trolling, vertical jigging or chunking all work. A few anglers are even using live spot for baits. On the troll, no one special lure needs to be used. Skirted and naked ballyhoo are also working. Williamson high-speed jigs are doing the job along with vik jigs. As usual with chunking, use either butterfish or sardines. A few of these fish weight more than 200 pounds, Tony said.

Last week a few juvenile swordfish were taken on the troll up north along with some wahoo. Lately, he said, not too many mahi or billfish have been caught.

Tom Christ, of Brennan Marine in Somers Point, also reported active fishing offshore. Bennett Muldoon and crew on his boat “Moon Shot” fished at the 19 Fathom Lump on Thursday and boated a 95-pound, 55-inch bluefin. They were chunking and jigging. Ron Kovler and company, on his boat “Next Case” also fished the 19 Fathom Lump and went 6-for-9. They kept two bluefin tuna, a 52-inch fish weighing 77 pounds and a 43-inch fish weighing 50 pounds. These fish were caught chunking and jigging with sardines.

On Saturday, Dennis Dombrowski and crew on his boat “Crown Royal” also fished the ever popular 19 Fathom Lump and boated a 56-inch, 105-pound bluefin tuna. They also chunked and jigged using butterfish. Nuncie Sacco was on the rod. Also on Saturday, Jim Reed and crew on the “Raiden” ventured to the Lobster Claw and bagged a 56-inch, 95-pound bluefin. They caught this fish on the troll using a skirted ballyhoo. Lastly from last week, Bill Haas and crew on the “Rose-Lee” fished the Toms and Hudson canyons on Thursday and had a bonanza. They boated four yellowfin tuna in the 70-pound class, caught and released a small swordfish and caught and released a monster blue marlin believed to be in the 400-pound range.

Christ also reported that inshore is also producing nice fish. Bill Schwanda on his boat “Mach I” weighed in a 6.04-pound, 25-inch flounder caught in Ships Channel on a Gulps mullet. Al Rocks and his wife, Eileen, fished on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. On Wednesday they had eight keepers up to five pounds caught on Gulps White Swimming Mullet and New Penny Shrimp. On Thursday they had several keepers on the same baits. The largest of which was 4.85 pounds. Both days they fished off Kennedy Park.

Rob and Joan Barrett at Dolfin Dock in Somers Point reported that many fluke, of all sizes, are bending the rods in the Somers Point area. Charles Elwell of Egg Harbor Township landed a 9.14-pound fluke on minnow from Ships Channel. Tommy Westcott, 12, fished with his father and uncle and caught a 3.36-pound, 23-inch weakfish. They caught 14 weakies all together at the Egg Harbor River using shedder.

Fishing Notes

The Starfish is sailing daily four-hour trips with anglers catching some seabass and throw back tautog. The Lone Star sailing from Miss Chris Marina is taking charters for the summer 2008 season. Go to www.starfishboats.com

The Ocean City Marline and Tuna Club will host its Marlin and Tuna Challenge July 26- 27. Go to www.ocmtc.com.

(Fishing reports and photos can be e-mailed to Heather Holtzapfel James at heatherholtzapfel@yahoo.com, fax 465-9155 or by calling 624-8900, ext. 215. Reports are needed by Sunday evening.)

Technorati Tags: Fishing,NJ,Fluke,Margate,Flounder

Anglers rejoice over fishing numbers

NJ Shore Outdoors and Fishing — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:53:11 GMT

By HEATHER HOLTZAPFEL JAMES

There’s no shortage of fish in this area, and many anglers can attest to that.

Robin Scott, of Ray Scott’s Dock in Margate, said the back bay in her area is stocked with fish. Scott and crew are currently celebrating 50 years and she reported that she hasn’t seen so many fish in all her years as she has this season.

“I don’t recall a better season,” Scott said. “There is no shortage of flounder, and there is no reason the season should be shortened or extending of the limit size should be considered.” Scott is referring to the constant debate of the political state of flounder fishing.

Scott said anglers of all ages are getting out on the water enjoying a day of fishing. Whether it’s on a charter deck boat, kayak or small engine boat, there’s lots of action and everyone is coming in with dinner.

Scott suggests bringing out a smaller engine boat that doesn’t draw a lot of water and has a good drift. She said it would help with flounder fishing. There hasn’t been any specific rigs or bait outfishing the other. Just about everything is working, she said.

Frequent patrons to Ray Scott’s Dock are Lynn and Fred Simon, of Philadelphia. The Simons tipped Scott off with a rigging trend. Place three frozen sperring through the eyeball. The Simons catch fish within minutes of casting. Scott has also shared information concerning using flounder as bait as it was put out by the New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife. It has been known in the past that the use of flounder as bait is illegal. Now, one legal size flounder can be used as bait. The carcass must remain onboard to prove the legality of size. Other great bait to consider includes frozen peanut bunker, swimming mullets and shrimp Gulp.

While water temperatures fluctuate, the back bays of Margate are producing a variety of species. Anglers who are rigging up for flounder with mackerel strips are catching some nice kingfish while drifting. It’s a little unusual, but kingfish fans are picking up on it.

Crabs, said Scott, are big and plentiful. Fairly large stripers, around 30 inches, have been caught around the Great Egg Inlet. Anglers are using bunker snags with a conical trouble hook to get their bait and then use the live fish for the stripers. They are catching them at all times and tides.

Some anglers who caught fish from Ray Scott’s Dock boat rentals include Bob Murphy, of Flowertown, Pa., who has fished the area since the 1930s, caught a 4.25-pound flounder. Bill Mendenhall, of Downingtown, Pa., Bill Jr. and Skip caught 162 flounder three weeks ago during a single trip, 120 flounder two weeks ago and are giving it ago once again this week. Kim Foley and Casey Bucceri, of Ventnor, caught a 19-inch flounder and Ralph Gallo, of Folsom, Pa., caught three flounder of more than 19 inches.

Scott ended her report by saying she hasn’t had a person come in without a fish since May 24 of this year regardless of fishing skills.

Rob and Joan Barrett,of Dolfin Dock in Somers Point, reported that the inside back bay bite is “out of control” in the Somers Point area. A 10.75-pound fluke was caught by Kaylyn Pagne, of Sewell on minnow in Ships Channel. Art Ford, of Linwood, caught a 4.46-pound fluke on minnow also in Ships Channel and Rich Martiello Jr., hooked a 9.18-pounder, 28 inches out of Absecon Creek on Gulp. Then Robby Brown, 13, of Egg Harbor Township landed a 3.94-pound fluke in Ships Channel on minnow and out of Rainbow Channel came a 5.23-pound fluke caught by Ida Brearey of Philadelphia.

Tom Christ of Brennan Marine in Somers Point reported that the offshore action leads the way.

Sandy Bacharach and crew fished last Thursday on his boat “Suzy Q” and really had the yellow fin. They boated nine yellow fin in the 75- to 80-pound range. They also had one large blue fin and caught and released a white marlin. They were fishing ballyhoo, spreader bars and green machines. They were between the Toms and the Hudson Canyons.

Bill Haas and crew on the “Rose-Lee” also fished last Thursday and had 10 yellow fin, a wahoo, a dolphin and a 126-pound mako. They too were fishing spreader bars and ballyhoo. They were in Toms Canyon.

Neil McPeak and crew fished the “Lobster Claw” on Saturday and bagged a 95-pound blue fin. Dave Fiocca and crew on “Poppy’s Cruiser” fished the Wilmington and boated a 51-pound yellow fin on a green machine.

Tony from Capt. Andy’s reports that “Offshore fishing is the place to be these past few days. Anywhere from the Toms to the Baltimore and everywhere in between, 19 Fathom, Massey’s, Jim’s Hole, etc. There are yellow fin, mahi, white marlin and tilefish if you want to deep drop.”

Inshore there are bluefin and bluefish around the hambone, A.C. Ridge, Cigar, ect., he said.

“Trolling is the way to go. Stretch 25’s and 30’s are doing the job,” he said.

A little further inshore, (reef sites and wrecks), sea bass and some flounder are being caught. Up north the Bass are still playing with the Bunker. As long as the water is cool they will stay. Some of these Bass are in the 40-pound range. Kingfish are in the surf and a few reports of them in the bay on the bars. Try anchoring up, put out the chum pot and use some bloodworms.

The inlets and bays are producing stripers and flounder. The keeper ratio is getting better these past few days. Your best bet is to get in the skinny water (shallow) and work your temp gauge, stay warm. Gulp, squid, minnows and mackerel strips are all doing well. Bass are around the bridges and sod banks. If you can get it try using live bait, bunker or spot. Plugging is also producing early in the morning and at dusk. There have been some reports of weakfish in the back, Scull and Lake’s bays, using shedder crab.

Crabbing is excellent. Outgoing tide in the back bay area along the feeder creeks is giving up some nice catches of blue claw. One of our customers came back with almost a bushel of keepers in just a couple of hours.

Craig Tragbar landed a 3-pound, 13-ounce striper at a local bridge.

Capt. Dave Beccaria of Fine Line Charters of Capt. Andy’s landed a 90-pound, unce bluefin while trolling a stretch 30 at the Hambone. The lucky angler was John Fannon of Wilmington, Del.

On the Coffee Break, Capt. Alon Howard, Roy Parker and crew went 6-for-8 on yellowfin along with two white marlin runoffs at the Toms. All were caught before 9 a.m.

Capt. John Baumgardener of the Unanimous and crew kept 12 yellowfin and released another 12 while trolling the Toms.

Fishing Notes

The Ocean City Marline and Tuna Club will host its Marlin and Tuna Challenge on July 26-27. Visit www.ocmtc.com.

The Mid-Atlantic Tuna Tournament continues through July 19 at the South Jersey Marina in Cape May. Go to www.sjmarina.com for daily results.

(Fishing reports and photos can be e-mailed to Heather Holtzapfel James at heatherholtzapfel@yahoo.com, fax 465-9155 or by calling 624-8900, ext. 215. Reports need to be in by Sunday evening of each week.)

Technorati Tags: fishing,NJ,Jersey Shore,south jersey,crabbing

NJ Launches Campaign to Lure Freshwater Anglers

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:54:00 GMT

If it's been a while since you've gone fishing in New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection has a special message for you: We want you back.

That's the upshot of a newly launched direct-mail and radio-advertising campaign that invites anglers to rediscover the pleasures of freshwater fishing and reminds them that fishing in New Jersey is time and money well spent.

"New Jersey's thousands of miles of rivers and streams and more than 4,000 reservoirs, lakes and ponds offer some of the finest freshwater fishing available anywhere on the East Coast," DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson said. "Find out what you've been missing; come back to fishing in New Jersey. It's top-quality recreation close to home."

Beginning this week, at least 60,000 anglers who bought a New Jersey fishing license during the past two years, but haven't yet renewed it, will receive by mail a postcard that pitches license purchases and promotes fishing as one of the best ways to escape, play and reconnect with nature, family and friends.

The promotion is a partnership between the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to boosting participation in recreational angling and boating nationwide through its well-known "Take Me Fishing" campaign.

To reinforce the postcard's message, five New Jersey radio stations also will air 30-second and 60-second spots that tout the key benefits of fishing - particularly the opportunities for exercise, relaxation and nurturing relationships with family and friends.

Sport fishing is not only good for the body and soul, it also puts muscle in the state economy. Every year, more than 150,000 freshwater anglers and 500,000 saltwater anglers collectively spend about 9 million days fishing in New Jersey. The annual economic impact of their expenditures totals about $1.5 billion, including more than $90 million in state tax revenue, and generates more than 13,000 jobs.

The campaign launch coincides with New Jersey's Free Fishing Days on June 7 and 8, which offer residents and visitors a chance to wet a line in all waters open to public fishing without purchasing a license or trout stamp.

"We encourage novice and seasoned anglers alike to take advantage of the opportunity to fish for free in New Jersey; once you've experienced what you've been missing, we think you'll be hooked on the sport," Commissioner Jackson said.

On all other days during the year, anglers must purchase a fishing license and, if trying their luck for trout, a trout stamp, too. Children under 16 and seniors 70 or older can fish anytime without a license or stamp. Freshwater fishing licenses and trout stamps can be purchased conveniently and printed immediately through the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ .

A list of license agents statewide is also available on the Web site, along with a wealth of information on fishing in New Jersey. Click on the 'Take Me Fishing' link on the Web site homepage.

National Registry of Saltwater Anglers on Horizon

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:49:00 GMT

NOAA Fisheries Service is undertaking an initiative to build a new program to improve the collection, analysis and use of recreational saltwater fishing information. Part of the initiative will include creating a national registry of saltwater anglers. To learn more about the program go to:

http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/hotnews/recfish/

Three Weeks Left in Jersey Spring Trout Stocking Season

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:19:00 GMT

With three weeks of trout stocking still to go this spring, there's still plenty of great opportunities to fish in any of the state's 180 designated trout stocked waters. Nearly 475,000 trout have been stocked thus far, and over the next three weeks another 96,000 trout will be released into 60 of these waters.

Little rain has fallen since the trout season opener on April 5, and fishing conditions have been nearly ideal. As temperatures begin to warm and the opening day excitement begins to fade, savvy anglers know that May is one of the best months to fish for trout. Streams are generally less crowded with anglers, and by walking or wading just a short distance upstream or downstream from a stocking point you can often find trout that have been overlooked by others. May is also a hot month for catching big trout in Holdover and Trophy Trout Lakes.

Trout stocking continues through May 23. There is still plenty of time to grab your fishing gear and head to nearby trout-stocked water to enjoy a few hours outdoors fishing for trout. For information on where to go, stocking schedules, "Bonus Broodstock" waters and more, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_spr08.htm on the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Website.

Deer harvest info for 2007-08 season

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:14:00 GMT

The deer harvest totals, by zone, season and county, for the 2007-08 deer seasons are now available on the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Web site. Data goes back as far as 1972 for those interested in harvest trends over the past 35 years.

The data is linked from http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/deer.htm#harvests where visitors will find a great deal of information about New Jersey's deer herd and its management.

ASMFC Withdraws New Jersey Tautog Noncompliance Finding

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:13:00 GMT

ASMFC Withdraws New Jersey Tautog Noncompliance Finding

Washington, DC - ASMFC Chair George D. Lapointe has notified the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior that the Commission has withdrawn its noncompliance finding for the State of New Jersey with regards to its tautog management program. New Jersey notified the Commission on March 25, 2008 that it has implemented management measures that achieve a 25.6 percent reduction in exploitation as required by Addenda IV and V of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The measures, which include recreational bag limits, and season closures for both the recreational and commercial fisheries, are consistent with those previously reviewed and approved by the Commission's Tautog Technical Committee and Management Board.
"We are delighted that New Jersey, a major participant in the tautog fishery, has committed to joining our states in taking the necessary steps to rebuild this valuable species," states ASMFC Chair George D. Lapointe.
"With stock biomass at a third of its historical average, it is critical that all the states and stakeholders dependent on this fishery share in the burden of restoring this important resource."
On February 7, 2008, pursuant to the provisions of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act of 1993, the Commission notified the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior that the State of New Jersey was out of compliance with the provisions of the Addenda IV and V to the Tautog Plan. Specifically, New Jersey had not implemented Addenda IV and V's mandatory harvest reductions, which require the state to implement a management program that will achieve a 25.6 percent reduction in exploitation by January 1, 2008. The reduction is necessary to initiate rebuilding of the overfished tautog stock and to maintain effective cooperative management of the resource.
On March 11, 2008, the Secretary of Commerce concurred with the Commission's determination of noncompliance and notified the state that the federal government would impose a moratorium on fishing for, possession of, and landing of tautog in New Jersey state waters on April 1, 2008. With submission of the Commission's March 26th letter to the Secretary regarding New Jersey's compliance, the moratorium will not be imposed.
For more information, please contact Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, at (202) 289-6400.

2008 Freshwater Fishing Directory Available

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:46:00 GMT

The 2008 Freshwater Fishing Digest is now available online at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/digfsh.htm . The Digest is also available at all license agent locations. A list of license agents can be viewed at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/agentlst.htm . Trout season opens on April 5. Fishing licenses are available at agent locations or they can be purchased and printed at home at the following link: https://www3.wildlifelicense.com/nj/start.php

Freshwater Fishing Forum at Batsto

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:07:00 GMT

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a Freshwater Fisheries Forum on Saturday, March 1 at the Batsto Village Visitors Center in Wharton State Forest, Burlington County. The forum will begin at 10 am.

The forum will provide an opportunity for anglers to learn about freshwater fisheries research and management, culture and recreational angling in New Jersey, and to share their views and recommendations. Division biologists will be on hand to answer questions

Pre-registration is not required but is appreciated, and will help ensure that all attendees can be accommodated. Pre-register by calling 856-629-4950 or via e-mail to Christopher.Smith@dep.state.nj.us. Please include your name, address, phone number and the number of people attending.

More information about the forum, including directions, is available on the division's Web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2008/fshforumsouth.htm .

WEAKFISH REGS CHANGE

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:22:00 GMT

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announces the implementation of new regulations for the harvest of weakfish. These regulations were adopted to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Weakfish.

In January, 2007, the ASMFC Weakfish Management Board (Board) approved Addendum II to Amendment 4 of the FMP in an attempt to control expansion of weakfish fisheries. Under Addendum II, the states of Massachusetts through North Carolina were required to implement a six fish creel limit at their current size limit for the recreational fishery.

For New Jersey, effective immediately, the possession limit will be reduced from the current eight (8) fish to six (6) fish while the size limit will remain at 13 inches. The Addendum also establishes a coastwide commercial landings limit of approximately 3.7 million pounds (based on the average landings for 2000-2004) and reduces the allowable bycatch limit for commercial fisheries from 300 pounds to 150 pounds per day or trip. New Jersey’s bycatch limit has been 150 pounds since 1996.

The Board’s action was taken in response to a significant decline in stock abundance and increasing total mortality since 1999. The FMP requires the Board to adjust the management program to help rebuild spawning stock biomass. This issue is compounded by the fact that natural mortality, rather than fishing mortality, has been indicated as the lead cause for stock decline. In order to provide a greater probability of the stock rebounding, the Board has implemented a more conservative recreational creel limit, a commercial bycatch limit, and an annual commercial landings limit.

These management measures will be re-evaluated when either the coastwide commercial landings equal or exceed 80% of the commercial landings limit or any single state’s landings exceed its five-year mean by more than 25% in any single year.

Fish & Wildlife seeks Management Areas input

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Recently voters approved a Constitutional Amendment which allows the dedication of a portion of the Corporate Business Tax to fund maintenance and capital improvements at state parks and Wildlife Management Areas. Wildlife Management Areas are public lands that offers citizens the opportunity to hike, bike, kayak, boat, birdwatch and hunt and fish.

With this stable source of funding, the Division of Fish and Wildlife now has the opportunity to expand how these areas can be used for public enjoyment. As we develop our plan for these 122 areas, we are interested in hearing from you, the users of these public lands. To help us in this decision making, we are asking you to please take a few moments to complete an on-line survey at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/wmasurvey08.htm . Please fill out a separate survey for each WMA that you use. Thank you in advance for assisting the Division in this important capital improvement activity.

NJ Hunters & Anglers Spend Big Bucks

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:55:00 GMT

New Jersey's Hunters and Anglers Have a Significant Impact on the Economy
Spending $1 Billion a Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- New Jersey's 562,000 hunters and anglers are among the most prominent and influential of all demographic groups, spending more than $1 billion a year on hunting and fishing, according to a new report.

The new report, "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors," spotlights the immense impact hunters and anglers have on the economy at the national and state level.

Links:

New Jersey Fact Sheet

Compare New Jersey
with Other States

In New Jersey, spending by hunters and anglers directly supports 16,000 jobs, which puts $585 million worth of paychecks into pockets of working residents around the state. Of course, government coffers also benefit -- spending by sportsmen in pursuit of these outdoor activities generates $109 million in state and local taxes. These latest figures demonstrate that season after season hunters and anglers are driving the economy from big businesses to rural towns, through booms and recessions.

"Because sportsmen enjoy hunting or fishing alone or in small groups, they are overlooked as a constituency and as a substantial economic force," stated Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. "When you compare spending by hunters and anglers to other sectors, their impact on the state's economy becomes more tangible."

Sportsmen support as many jobs in New Jersey as Continental Airlines and the University of Medicine and Dentistry combined, two of the largest employers in the state (16,000 jobs).
Annual spending by New Jersey sportsmen is more than the combined revenues of The Vitamin Shoppe, Forman Mills, AmeriQuest Transportation and Logistics Resources - three of the fastest growing companies in the state ($1 billion vs. $874 million).
New Jersey sportsmen annually spend more than the cash receipts for all agricultural commodities ($1 billion vs. $924 million).
Annually, New Jersey sportsmen spend $130 million on outboard boats and engines to get out onto the water and around the marshes for hunting and fishing.
New Jersey sportsmen outnumber the populations of Newark and Jersey City (562,000 vs. 520,000).
The economic stimulus of hunting and fishing equates to an astounding $2.9 million a day being pumped into the state's economy.

"Spending by sportsmen benefits not only the manufacturers of hunting and fishing related products, but everything from local mom and pop businesses to wildlife conservation," noted Doug Painter, president of National Shooting Sports Foundation. "And because most hunting and fishing takes place in rural areas, much of the spending benefits less affluent parts of the state."

On the national level, 34 million sportsmen age 16 and older spent more than $76 billion in 2006, supporting 1.6 million jobs. If a single corporation grossed as much as hunters and anglers spend, it would be among America's 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T. And if all hunters and anglers had voted during the last presidential election, they would have equaled 31 percent of all votes cast. If all hunters and anglers living in New Jersey voted, they would have equaled 17 percent of all votes cast in the state.

These statistics are impressive and, if anything, they underestimate the impact of sportsmen since they do not take into account the millions of hunters and anglers under 16 years of age or people who were not able to get out and hunt or fish in 2006. When sportsmen's spending is thought of in business terms and compared to other sectors of the economy, it is quite remarkable. From small rural towns scattered across our country's landscape to the bottom-line of Fortune 500 companies located in major cities, if you take away hunting and fishing you take away the equivalent of a multi-billion dollar corporation.

"It is a fairly simple equation – hunters and anglers mean jobs in states and local communities that have made the effort to maintain their hunting and fishing opportunities," said Crane. "The economic impacts that sportsmen have on state economies should be a wake-up call to state governments to welcome and encourage hunting and fishing in their state."

The report, "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors," was produced by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation with support from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation and SCI - First For Hunters. The report uses the results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and statistics provided by the American Sportfishing Association and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The report: "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors" along with STATE FACTS are available on the Web at
www.sportsmenslink.org and www.nssf.org

For more information or questions contact: Melinda Gable 202-302-4794 or at Melinda@sportsmenslink.org

Grants Available for School Fishing Programs

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:06:00 GMT

The Future Fisherman Foundation and The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation are partnering to sponsor the Physical Education Grants Initiative.

These grants provide up to $2,500 to certified physical education teachers to help establish a fishing and/or boating education program in their school. The grant recipient will attend a 5-day training workshop. Grant funds can be used for transportation to and from the training workshop. Room and board will be covered by the Future Fisherman Foundation and does not come out of the grant award. The grant is open to all K-12 PE teachers who are members of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Applications for the 2008-2009 school year are due January 21, 2008. Information is available on the Future Fisherman Foundation's website at http://www.futurefisherman.org/programs/pegrants.php or on the Division's web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com.

Meet Physical Education Standards

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) developed a set of standards for physical education that discusses what a student should know and be able to do as a result of a quality physical education program. All standards can be met by a fishing and/or boating program. Some of the standards that can be met include the following:

-- Understand that physical activity provides opportunity for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction.

-- Demonstrate competency in many movement forms and proficiency in a few movement forms.

-- Applies movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills.

-- Exhibits a physically active lifestyle.

-- Preparing for a fishing education program

Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is a great place to learn about our aquatic resources and how to fish. Pequest offers video and tours of the hatchery year-round. We also offer fishing education classes from April through October.

Visit us on the web at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com for a list of programs or to learn how to schedule a program. Once your students have learned the basic skills necessary for fishing and have gained knowledge about aquatic resources, schedule a trip to Pequest for a hands-on fishing experience they will never forget! All of the Pequest programs are free of charge!

Fall Trout Stocking Underway

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:17:00 GMT

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's popular Fall Trout Stocking Program began Tuesday, October 2, with streams in the northern and central portion of the state being stocked. By the end of next week 20,000 brook, brown, and rainbow trout averaging 14 to 16 inches, and weighing 1½ - 2 pounds, will have been distributed in 16 streams and 16 lakes and ponds statewide.

Due to low water flows, some changes in stocking are anticipated. As of today, changes are planned for the Black River which will not be stocked; the Lamington River will be stocked instead. Also, the South Branch of the Raritan River will only be stocked downstream of the Rt. 513/Rt. 517 bridge in Long Valley.

For more information on the fall stocking, as well as the stocking schedule and any other changes, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_fall.htm on the division's Web site.

NJ Hunting Digest Online

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:58:00 GMT

The 2007 Hunting Digest is now available on the DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Web site in PDF format. It can be downloaded from http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/dighnt07.htm. Print versions are expected to arrive at license agents and division offices beginning Wednesday, August 29.
Waterfowl information on this year's population status and hunting seasons has been put together by biologist Ted Nichols. His informative article can be viewed at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artmigratory07.htm. It also includes a link to information about this year's three Youth Waterfowl Hunt days in October.

Four vessels slated for reef duty in Cape May County

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:39:00 GMT

Four vessels are being meticulously cleaned for sinking on New Jersey's Reef Network. The vessels include a 77-foot trawler, two 100-foot deck barges, and a 100-foot surf clam vessel.

Once the vessels are sunk they will soon become homes for 150 species of fish and marine life, fishing grounds for anglers and an underwater attractions for scuba divers. The vessels will continue to provide habitat for marine life and be productive fishing grounds for at least another 50 years. The target dates for the deployments are:

August 3rd - 77-foot trawler at Townsends Inlet Reef

August 9th - 200-foot deck barge at Axel Carlson Reef

August 16th - 200-foot deck barge at Cape May Reef

August 28th - 100-foot surf clam dredge at Cape May Reef

All reef deployments are subject to weather and sea conditions. For further information regarding these deployments contact Hugh Carberry at 609-748-2022. For information on past deployments please visit NJfishandwildlife.com.

MITTEN CRAB ALERT

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:40:00 GMT

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife would like recreational crabbers to be aware that five Chinese mitten crabs were recently caught by commercial watermen on the Delaware side of Delaware Bay/River and have been sighted in the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee Bridge. Mitten crabs are native to Asia but have invaded portions of northern Europe and California.

These crabs are listed as an invasive species. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has contacted, and will be cooperating with, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland, which is spearheading the investigation of mitten crabs in Chesapeake Bay and now Delaware Bay.

For more information on mitten crabs and how you can help in the SERC investigation, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2007/mittencrab.htm on the division's Web site.

2007 NJ Spring Turkey Results

Carl Price NJ Outdoors — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:52:00 GMT

The 2007 spring wild turkey hunting season results have been posted on the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Web site. With a total harvest of 3,061 male wild turkeys, the harvest is the sixth-highest in New Jersey since the first season in 1981. The 2007 harvest total represents an 11 percent decrease from 2006 and is likely due to a combination of lower than average turkey productivity during the past two years and poor hunting weather due to heavy rain during the 2007 A Week permit segment.

For more detailed analysis and a zone by zone breakdown of the harvest, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trkharvspr07.htm on the DFW Web site.

Hooked on Fishing trip July 23 for EHT residents

Jersey Shore Admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:36:00 GMT

The Egg Harbor Township Recreation Department and the Municipal Alliance is sponsoring another season of Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs fishing trips. The next trip will be Monday, July 23.
The program is open to all Egg Harbor Township residents 7 and up.
For information call the township Recreation Department at (609) 926-4028 or visit www.ehtgov.org for a complete schedule of trips.