NOAA Fisheries sends out mixed signals

Giant tuna fishermen may be wondering just what NOAA Fisheries is trying to accomplish after this week’s announcements.

As noted here, they increased the commercial General category daily limit from one large medium or giant (over 73 inches) to three, and then sent a warning for those fishermen. due to market conditions, to make sure they have a buyer who will take their fish prior to going fishing.

NOAA Fisheries also closed the New England region recreational trophy over 73-inch season from June 5 to Dec. 31 as the tiny quota has already been exceeded.

Here’s the photo of the largest striper reported to this blog so far this season– a 63.09-pounder by formula hooked on a live bunker from Capt. Vinny Vetere’s Katfish out of Great Kills, Staten Island by his mate, Brian before a successful release. Vetere said this year’s striper fishing has been the best ever, and is continuing at that pace.

Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports “

Memorial Day weekend has passed in Beach Haven, and summer is right around the corner. If recent fishing trips by the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are any indication, 2023 looks be a good fishing year.

Right now, black sea bass are around the inshore artificial reefs, the summer flounder are all over the bays and inlets, small schools of bluefish are racing around, and there are still good numbers of striped bass to be found.

Captain Connor Smilon of “Fish Hawk Charters” reports good action in Great Bay with multiple keepers per trip and “plenty of throwbacks.” He has also run into small blitzes of 2-3-pound bluefish early in the morning on the way to the fluking grounds.

Captain Max Goldman reports good action on black sea bass on the “Star fish” on the inshore artificial reefs. The top day thus far had a total of 18 keeper fish. The action is hot and furious with numerous undersized fish also hitting the baits.

Captain Steve Palmer reports the initial trips on the headboat “Miss Beach Haven” have been successful ones. A wedding group of the Karr groom and groomsmen had a blast with steady fishing on sea bass, making to port in time for the rehearsal. Another recent trip with Captain Bob Yates and mate Max was a success with both sea bass and fluke providing dinners for many happy anglers. Steve advises the boat will be running a variety of trips this summer.

Captain Brett Taylor of “Real Reaction Sportfishing” had regular client Bob Dodds, his cousin Joe, and Boston Bob on a 4-hour charter. They had decent tide, terrible slime, and stiff winds for a good portion of the trip. Despite the elements, Captain Brett says they ended with 4 decent sized fluke to just over 5 pounds, and 3 others they wanted back.

Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org

Pennsylvania angler Seth Wakefield reports “I’ve been very fortunate to have some very good friends who have I’ve been able to learn from each year. Chuck Tyman Manny is one of them. Every trip out I learn more and more. The brothers and I had an incredible trip the other day out on the Tyman! Doubles, triples, quadruples on eels and plugs. Eels off the back of the boat and plugging off the front. Always a blast with lots of laughs! Ended up the day with 34 big fish up to 50lbs. Another super memorable day.”

+7

Hans Kaspersetz said his first trip offshore with Blue Runner out of Pt. Pleasant was a good one!

A small craft advisory is up through Sunday afternoon. The morning forecast is for north winds at 15-20 knots before dropping to 10-15 in the afternoon.