Status quo for NJ fluke regs

Jim Hutchinson Jr. of the Fisherman magazine reports all the governing agencies have decided that New Jersey will have to maintain status quo fluke regulations for the upcoming season. Though those regs probably worked out well for party boats and casual anglers, dedicated fluke fishermen generally hated throwing back fluke over 18 inches which they have become expert at catching while having to settle for a limit with smaller fluke.

The Tackle Box in Hazlet will hold their Super Saturday Sale on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with everything reduced up to 50%. That will also be the final chance to enter their Striped Bass Raffle — and Bobby Back Bay Lures will be selling 100 custom metal lip plugs.

The Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County will be holding their annual Fishing Flea Market on Sunday from 9-8 at the Hasbrouck heights Hilton. A blackfish seminar will be presented at 9, and a surf fishing seminar follows at noon.

A small craft advisory goes up at 6 p.m., and changes to a gale warning from Friday morning to night. The forecast is for northwest winds at 25-30 knots with gusts to 35 plus freezing spray.

Vinny D’Anton has been doing well with spotted seatrout while wading flats around Sarasota, Florida. There have also some ladyfish, and he even caught a blowfish on his MirrOlure. Southern puffers seem to be more aggressive than the similar-looking norther puffer. Vinny got a surprise when a dolphin chasing a mullet almost bumped into him.

Chuck Many with another Cape Charles striper on Show-Nuf before release with a Gray tag and the spring spawn