by The man who dubbed the lowly bunker as The Most Important Fish in the Seas in his book passed away in his N.J. home at 90. The former Rutgers professor was noted as an anti-war activist, but recognized how important menhaden were in the chain of ocean life — and yet not being protected at all from unlimited purse seining for reduction into everything from oils to chicken feed, The once enormous schools were being greatly diminished when Franklin joined other conservationists and many anglers in fighting for bunker conservation which eventually won the day with regulations that recognize the needs of fish, marine mammals and birds as well as those of fishermen and industries. Franklin’s book was a very important part of that fight.
Sea bass fishing has been generally good since the seaon in N.J. opened last week. Capt. Ron Santee Jr. had steady action Wednesday on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands that included a 3-pound sea bass, ling and some whitin and even a 3 1/2-pound winter flounder. However, today’s fishing was surprisingly picky.
The Friday forecast is fine, with west winds at just 5 knots before going south in the afternoon. There’s only a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms.
Tight Lines 
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