The recent virtual meeting of the ASMFC and Mid-Atlantic Council approved New Jersey’s proposal for their fluke season that would open the Friday before Memorial Day (May 28) and make up for the delayed opening at the end of the season to conclude on Sept. 28. There was no change in other regulations for that fishery. It was a shame that there wasn’t a liberalization of regulations last year as the pandemic greatly reduced fishing opportunities for anglers.

Northeast winds return even though they are only 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 early tomorrow — along with sleet or rain.

The NY DEC has granted new state records for bonito and sheepshead as noted in the following release:

DEC ANNOUNCES NEW STATE MARINE FISHING RECORDS FOR BONITO AND SHEEPSHEADFall 2020 Catches at Atlantic Beach Reef and Reynolds Channel Set New Records

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced new state records for Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) and sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) in the marine and coastal district waters of New York. Both catches took place in 2020 and were recently confirmed by DEC as record-breakers. The bonito was caught off of the State’s Atlantic Beach Artificial Reef and the sheepshead was caught in Reynolds Channel.     “From the Atlantic Ocean to coastal bays and tidal rivers, New York’s marine waters offer exceptional saltwater fishing opportunities and I’m excited to congratulate Matthew Kessinger and James Torborg for setting these new State records for bonito and sheepshead,” Commissioner Seggos said. “It is particularly exciting that the record bonito was caught off one of New York’s recently expanded artificial reefs, proving that Governor Cuomo’s investments in improving water quality and enhancing marine habitats are benefiting New York’s fisheries and recreational fishing community.”   Matthew Kessinger of Oceanside reeled in a new marine fishing record for Atlantic bonito off of Atlantic Beach Artificial Reef in November 2020. Just last fall, Atlantic Beach Reef received 16 of a total 75 rail cars donated by Wells Fargo Rail Corporation to New York State as part of Governor Cuomo’s ongoing artificial reef initiative. The impressive catch, weighing a total of 13.45 pounds, exceeded the previous state record of 12.49 pounds set by Angelo Peluso in 2003. Similar to tuna and sharks, Atlantic bonito are largely pelagic species living mostly in the open ocean. These fish migrate to New York’s marine waters during the summer and typically start to swim south through the fall.    James Torborg of Atlantic Beach set a new record for sheepshead. His catch in September 2020 in Reynolds Channel weighed 13.9 pounds and surpasses the previous state record of 13.36 pounds caught in 2016 by Peter Kruczko. There is currently no recreational size and possession limits on bonito and sheepshead, and these fish can be harvested year-round. Kessinger and Torborg submitted details of their record-breaking catches to DEC’s Marine Fishing Records Program. Through this program, anglers submit entries of marine fish that may exceed the current record. Catches must be weighed at an official weigh station on a certified scale. Check out the complete list of New York’s Marine Fishing Records on DEC’s website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7906.html. If an angler thinks their next catch could be a record-breaker, visit DEC’s Marine Fishing Records Program for information about how to submit marine records for certification, or email fw.marine@dec.ny.gov. Visitors to New York’s Artificial Reefs are encouraged to share observations using the Artificial Reef Volunteer Fishing & Diving Survey and check out the Artificial Reefs Interactive Map to learn more about reef site characteristics, materials used, coordinates of individual patch reefs, and the history of deployments. Anglers are reminded to enroll in New York’s no-fee Marine Recreational Fishing Registry before going fishing and check the current Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations in effect.

The marine forecast is for north winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 Friday mornong before diminishing to 5-10 knots in the afternoon, However, the direction will change to the northeast after midnight just in time for the weekend.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Wednesday for a pick of mostly short blackfish and some large bergalls.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is looking into the possibility of making some practical exceptions to its requirement that circle hooks be used with natural baits for striper fishing in order to reduce angling mortality. The states of Maine and Massachusetts were given two year windows to study the effect of using the tube and worm trolling technique .

That method is very popular in New England, and I’ve never heard of a striper swallowing the long tube after hitting the worm on the hook. Using a cirle hook on the tube would be very inefficient in that situation. Surprisingly. New Hampshire and New York voted against that proposal at the recent ASMFC virtual meeting. However, there was a unanimous vote to establish a committee to study the specifics of the circle hook rule. For instance, the natural bait definition means pork rind can’t be used on jigs which are rarely swallowed in any case. The same applies to the use of eelskins and rigged eels. Then there’s the question of incidental striper catches by anglers using bait for other species with J hooks.

Thursday’s forecast is for north winds about 10 knots with light snow and two-foot seas.

A break in winter weather has opened the possibility of blackfishing tomorrow.

The forecast is for northwest 10-15 knot winds which diminish to just 5-10 in the afternoon with 2-3-foot seas.

The Ocean Explorer intends to sail from Belmar, and the Mimi VI has set up a limited trip at 6:30 from Point Pleasant. The Mimi VI trip costs $120 and includes whitelegger crabs for bait. That boat will also sail Friday through Sunday at 6:30 for $90 with only green crabs included. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

After becoming another victim of the pandemic, the N.J. Governor’s Cup Surf Fishing Tournament is coming back in 2021 on Sunday, May 23 at Island Beach State Park.

Ric Gross of Point Pleasant got a rare Florida fishing thrill catching a wahoo while sailing aboard Deja Vu from Pompano Beach to 400-foot depths off Deerfield Beach.

Tuesday starts with light south winds before gusting to 20 knots. Snow in the morning may change to rain in the afternoon.

Anglers can help themselves and a good cause by googling IGFA Auction and bidding on some great fishing tackle and trips before the 6:30 p.m. deadline on Feb, 13.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar sailed for jumbo blackfish yesterday, but the wind blew even harder than expected and the seas got too rough as only a pool winner by Howard and a few ling were caught before an early return. The only life was in deeper waters. They’ll be searching for better weather to make the next attempt.

Monday’s forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before diminishing to 5-10 knots in the afternoon.

It was a shock last week when I heard that Jeff Demint had passed away on Jan. 31.Jeff was the director of the American Littoral Society fish tagging program at Sandy Hook and a youngish-looking 54. A graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, he started out as a union ironworker before ending up with his dream job as an angler and conservationist of working with the ALS. Jeff converted files of tagging cards into computerized information that was especially helpful to NMFS, ASMFC and MAFMC in the early days of fishery management I was an active participant in the ALS tagging program from the beginning, and often fished with Jeff on tagging trips as his efforts led to great increases in tagging and scientific knowledge which will be a lasting testimony to a life well spent even if much too short.

Sunday’s forecast is for east winds at 15-20 knots with rain and show before going west in the afternoon.

The following release updates  striped bass management planning:

Atlantic Striped Bass Board Approves Draft Amendment 7 PID for Public Comment

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved for public comment the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass. As the first step in the amendment process, the PID seeks input from stakeholders and those interested in striped bass about changes observed in the fishery/resource and potential management measures.

The last time a new plan amendment to the Atlantic Striped Bass FMP was adopted was in 2003 (Amendment 6). Since then, the status and understanding of the striped bass stock and fishery has changed considerably which raises concern that the current management program no longer reflects current fishery needs and priorities. The results of the 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment in particular led the Board to discuss a number of prominent issues facing striped bass management. Consequently, the Board initiated the development of Amendment 7 in August 2020.

The purpose of the PID is to solicit stakeholder input on prioritizing the importance of each topic for continued development and potential inclusion in the Draft Amendment. The PID considers the following management topics: (1) fishery goals and objectives; (2) biological reference points; (3) management triggers; (4) stock rebuilding targets and schedule; (5) regional management; (6) management program equivalency (conservation equivalency); (7) recreational release mortality; (8) recreational accountability; (9) coastal commercial quota allocation; and (10) other issues raised in public comments.

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. It is anticipated that states from Maine through North Carolina will be conducting public hearings, likely in a virtual format, in March and April 2021. A subsequent press release will provide the details of those hearings. The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board will meet at the Commission’s 2021 Spring Meeting in May to consider public comment and provide direction to staff for items to be included in Draft Amendment 7.

The PID is available at http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/StripedBassAm7PID_PublicComment_Feb2021.pdf or via the Commission’s website, www.asmfc.org, under Public Input. Public comment will be accepted until 5 PM (EST) on April 9, 2021 and should be forwarded to Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass PID). For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

The IGFA 37th International Auction has added new items as it heads to a conclusion on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Go to their web site to take a look and bid on some real bargains.

The maritime forecast is for west winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30. However, with the west direction, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar is planning to sail Saturday for jumbo blackfish.                            

                        

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had a great catch of big blackfish from relatively inshore waters last Wednesday and couldn’t wait to get out there again. Saturday was rough, and poor results didn’t discourage an all-star cast on Sunday when conditions were perfect on a flat calm ocean. Unfortunately, the results were the same. Only a few shorts plus some ling were caught, and the speculation is that the bottom water may have become too cold. As a result, whenever the weather is right, the Ocean Explorer will be trying in the usual mid-winter 120-foot depths. At this point they’re looking at Saturday and Sunday.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 tomorrow morning along with a chance of rain.

The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association has postponed their ice fishing derby to Feb. 20 due to lakes covered with two feet of snow.

It’s not surprising that the present Abu Garcia doesn’t know about the original Garcia Corporation’s part in saving what was left of America’s marine resources after foreign fleets drove one species after another to levels so low that it wasn’t worth fishing for them any longer.

The devastation was so bad by the 1970s that party boats in the northeast could hardly catch any cod, haddock. mackerel, ling and whiting after huge trawlers filled their factory ships for processing. Since nothing was being done about that, I called a meeting of party and charter boat captains, conservationists and fishing club leaders that was held aboard the Palace II at Hoboken. We decided to form an organization called the Emergency Committee to Save America’s Marine Resources. As executive director of the all-volunteer group I called on Rep. Norman Lent (R-NY), and he introduced a 200-mile fisheries limit bill which we quickly gathered cosponsors for.

The path forward looked impossible as both the State and Defense departments didn’t want to “rock the boat” even though the greatest damage was by the Soviet Union and their Iron Curtain allies fishing as close as 12 miles offshore. Yet. I thought we could develop a massive letter writing campaign to Congress and create an overwhelming show of public support. Taking TV reporters offshore to view the huge fleets helped garner that public support within a few years. I was director of field testing for Garcia at the time and President Tom Lenk allowed us to use the office at Englewood Cliffs as our office along with the company postage. Membership grew, and our support in Congress escalated quickly. What had seemed like an impossible dream became reality in just a few years when President Ford signed The Magnuson Fishery Conservation & Management Act to go into effect on March 1, 1977.

Lenk had allowed me to take whatever time I needed in that effort, and continued that stance when I was appointed to the original Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

A small craft advisory is up through Thursday afternoon. Northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 are forecast for the morning, though they diminish to 10-15 in the afternoon.