Though the northwest wind continues in the morning,that 15-20 knot forecast drops to just 5-10 during the day. As a result, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar is planing to sail Sunday for blackfish.
Those preferring to stay home can get a taste of rhe tropics at 8 a.m. by watching George Poveromo’s new show on yellowtail snapper fishing in the Florida Keys on the Discovery Channel. I’m enjoying the Florida cold snap (down to the 50s), but spending the day in Palm Beach Gardens to welcome my first granddaughter which Cyndi delivered two days ago. Elizabeth Gonzalez is a real keeper at 8 pounds — and Luis has her first rod and reel ready to go.
Despite all the “global warming” this winter, there may be an opportunity to go blackfishing Sunday on the Ocean Explorer.
That Belmar party boat has canceled for Saturday. but hopes to fish Sunday 15 to 20 miles offshore to give anglers a shot at the seasonal tautog pool which is currently tied with two10.8-pounders.
The marine forecast is for northwest winds of 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 Saturday as small craft warnings are up to that afternoon. Sunday’s forecast is for for 15-20 northwest to start with before diminishing to 10-15 knots in the afternoon.
George Poveromo starts this year’s World of Saltwater Fishing TV series at 8 a.m. Sunday on Discovery Channel with It’s Snapper Time in the Florida Keys.
The IGFA has restructured and appointed famed N.J. angler Michael Criscola II to its Board of Trustees as per the following the release:
IGFA Announces Significant Changes to Board of Trustees Exciting changes follow annual board meeting
DANIA BEACH, FL – February 18, 2021 – The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) recently announced several changes to the Board of Trustees following the organization’s annual board meeting, including new leadership in the executive committee and the addition of five new board members.
Executive Committee
IGFA Chairman Charles “Carlos” Duncan, III, who had served in this role with distinction since 2015, announced that he would be stepping down as IGFA Chairman. “The years that I’ve spent serving as IGFA Chairman have truly been rewarding,” said Duncan during his final board meeting as IGFA Chairman. “Between working with fellow board members and staff, I am confident that we have collectively made the organization stronger than when I assumed this role.”
Assuming the role of IGFA Chairman is Roy Cronacher, who has been an IGFA Trustee since 2010 and who has most recently been serving as Vice Chairman & Treasurer for the organization. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Carlos over the years, and he and I have always worked as a team and will continue to do so. I look forward to continuing the legacy that Carlos, the IGFA Board of Trustees, the directors, and staff built during his time as IGFA Chairman,” said Cronacher. “I’m excited to get to work!”
Additional changes to the IGFA Executive Committee include the appointment of Chase Offield to the role of Vice Chairman, and the appointment of Robert Kurz as Treasurer.
Board Expansion
In addition to the changes within the IGFA Executive Committee, there were also five new individuals appointed to the IGFA Board of Trustees during the recent board meeting. The appointment of these five individuals increases the total number of the IGFA Board of Trustees to 23. Listed below is additional information on the five recently appointed Trustees:
Michael Criscola, II Michael is the Executive Vice President and Principal for the Crisdel Group, Inc, which is a family‐owned company that provides specialty construction and contracting services including asphalt and concrete paving, excavation, heavy civil and highway construction, site development and utility infrastructure construction throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida. In addition to his responsibilities with Crisdel, Michael is currently a Heavy Highway Representative on the Board of Trustees for the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACC of NJ). Michael is a passionate angler that also serves as the Chairman of the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Guides Trust Foundation in Florida. Michael fishes both inshore and offshore with conventional and fly tackle.
Molly Fleming Molly Fleming has been an active member of the International Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA) since 1972, and an IGFA Lifetime Member since 2001. Her mother became an IWFA member in 1960, just five years after it was founded. Molly is especially adept in fishing with light tackle and has won a number of IWFA fishing tournaments. She fishes for virtually everything that swims, from black marlin to bluegill, on conventional and fly tackle. Molly has an encyclopedic knowledge of fishing history, especially when it comes to women’s influence and involvement in the sport.
Nassim Joaquin Avid fly angler Nassim Joaquin of Cozumel Island, Mexico, founded the Peninsula Fly Fishing Club‐‐Mexico’s only saltwater fly-fishing club. He co‐authored the book “Flyfishing in Mexico: The Yucatan Peninsula” with Juan Pablo Reynal and Daniel Beillinson, and has achieved three IGFA World Records and numerous IGFA Inshore Grand Slams on fly. Working with Dr. Aaron Adams of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Joaquin launched the bonefish and permit tagging program in Mexico. Former president of Amigos de Sian Ka’an A.C.‐‐ the largest fishing conservation organization in Southeast Mexico‐‐ Joaquin also served as president of the State of Quintana Roo Sport Fishing Committee. He founded the e‐fly fishing magazine “Pesca Con Mosca” and contributes to numerous publications worldwide. Nassim has been an IGFA Lifetime Member since 2001 and an IGFA Representative since 2005.
Nathaniel Linville A resident of Key West, Florida, Nathaniel Linville owns and operates the Angling Company, a premier fly shop in the Florida Keys. Linville has been an IGFA Representative since 2015, and is a passionate tournament angler and an IGFA World Record chaser. In his angling resume, Linville has won the March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament twice and the Del Brown Tournament once. He has also won the fly division in the Cuda Bowl four times and the Superfly three times. Always looking to advance the sport and educate others, Linville is credited with developing the “Cobranagle” knot for tarpon fishing, and he writes regularly for his blog and teaches fly casting in Key West to students from around the world. Nathaniel also has a strong roster of six IGFA Tippet Class World Records to his credit, including the IGFA Men’s 6‐lb Tippet Class World Record for tarpon record for a 140-pound, 4-ounce fish, and the IGFA Men’s 2‐lb Tippet Class World Records for a 16-lb permit. Nathaniel is a staunch proponent for adhering to IGFA Angling Rules and was instrumental in developing the inaugural IGFA Permit Invitational Tournament.
Stephanie Choate‐Oppenheimer Stephanie Choate is the daughter of IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame member Tim Choate, and has been an IGFA Representative since 2017. Influenced by her father’s love of fishing, she continues the family’s dedication to the sport by fishing competitively in tournaments around the world. Stephanie has won the Blue Marlin World Cup, the Bermuda Triple Crown, and is the recipient of the IGFA Gil Keech Heavy Tackle Award. She also holds the IGFA Women’s 50-lb Line Class World Record for black marlin with a 1,111-pound fish. In her fishing travels, Stephanie spreads the IGFA’s mission and vision while inspiring younger generations of anglers. Stephanie is also a board member of Wild Oceans ‐‐a nonprofit that collaborates with IGFA to strengthen the ethics of the fishing industry.
“These five individuals are valuable additions to the IGFA Board of Trustees,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “Each of which bring experience and varied perspectives to the IGFA Board. I am confident they will help us better accomplish the IGFA’s mission for years to come.”
The IGFA Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the goals and policies of the association, and ensuring that its strategies, programs and initiatives fulfill the vision and mission of the organization. Drawn from across the global recreational angling community, the IGFA Board of Trustees includes business leaders and passionate anglers who have materially contributed to the advancement of ethical, conservation-based sport fishing.
To learn more about the current IGFA Board of Trustees, please visit: https://bit.ly/3uaBJdM.
About the IGFA
Founded in 1939, The International Game Fish Association is a nonprofit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education, rule making, record keeping and recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of angling. The IGFA maintains world records in freshwater, saltwater, fly-fishing and junior angler categories. The IGFA has members in more than 100 countries.
The marine weathere forecast is for north winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25. Seas will be 5-7 feet with snow, rain or sleet. Small craft warnings are up through Friday afternoon.
The first two public hearing webinars for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment will be held this week, on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18. Additional hearings will be held on February 24, March 1, and March 2. All hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m. Written comments may also be submitted through March 16, 2021.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are developing this joint amendment to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The amendment also considers options that would allow a portion of the allowable landings to be transferred between the commercial and recreational sectors each year.
Wednesday, February 17, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Massachusetts and Rhode Island
Thursday, February 18 -N.J.
Monday, March 1 – Virginia & N.C.
Tuesday, March 2 – CT. & N.Y.
To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-877-309-2074 and enter access code 128-060-916. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Savannah Lewis at 703-842-0715.
If you are connected only by phone in listen only mode, you will not show up as a webinar attendee. In the event that there are no webinar attendees, the public hearing will be cancelled unless state staff request that the hearing content is presented.
Written Comments
Written comments may be submitted through March 16, 2021 by any of the following methods:
3. MAIL or FAX to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
800 North State Street, Suite 201
Dover, DE 19901
FAX: 302.674.5399
Please include “Fluke/Scup/Sea Bass Allocation Amendment� in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.
Tips for Providing Public Comment
We value your input. To be most effective, we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following:
Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?
Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?
Is there any additional information you think should be considered?
Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714
The weather isn’t getting any better as northeast winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 25 are forecast in the morning along with snow before increasing to 15-20 plus gusts to 30 in the afternoon. Snow or rain will add to the fun.
Fish taging had long ago established the basics of striped bass migratory movements from spawning areas to summering grounds, but it wasn’t until the very recent use of pop-off Gray Fish Tag Research devices that the assumption of basically straight line coastal migration was torn apart.
It just seemed logical that stripers would follow the coast and forage sources such as menhaden all along the way, but that assumption was shattered right away when two post-spawn large Hudson River stripers received satellite tags a couple of years ago which revealed movements out to the edges of canyons that had never been suspected.
Despite the challange of the pandemic, the tagging continued last summer as two stripers over 45 inches were tagged from Chuck Many’s Ty Man off Sandy Hook – and a 46-incher was added from Pollock Rip at Montauk. Though these bass basically headed for Nantucket Shoals, they mostly stayed in federal waters closer to the reach of tuna fishermen than to legal capture by striper anglers. Then the Montauk bass ended up shedding her pop-off tag on Nov. 3 way back in Delaware Bay near Fortescue. The fascinating story is detailed by Jim Hutchinson Jr. in the February editions of The Fisherman magazine.
The marine weather forecast for Wednesday calls for northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30. A switch to northeast and snow follows. Chuck Many should like that for ice fishing such as in the photo he sent:
If catching a giant tuna is in your bucket list, the time to do it is now as the winter run in N.C. provides numerous opportunities. The Canyon Runner isn’t down there this winter, but they are chartering another boat for their customers as per the following release:
Canyon Runner Chartering Again for the 2021 Winter Bluefin Bite which is perennially the best Bluefin Fishing of the Year up and Down the Coast. Like in 2020 – we’ll put you on the very comfortable and fast 55′ Custom Carolina Patriot for the trip of a lifetime with one of our former Canyon Runner Captain Pete Doran. Full day trips from Sun up to Sun down can see multiple giant tuna and on some days over a dozen mediums. So instead of chasing these ghosts when they slide by up north – come down and put the odds in your favor for multiple fish of a lifetime – in one day! Trips start at $2,495 a trip for a full day . We only have 10 dates left in the calendar for this so don’t delay Call ASAP – 732-272-4445 Here are Some Pics from 2020 Including the 55′ Patriot
The forecast is for southeast at 10-15 knots before going west with gusts to 25 by late morning. Rain continues until late afternoon.
Saltwaltwater anglers looking for even a possibility of decent fishing conditions may be able to get by on Washington’s Birthday. Though the forecast is northeast, it’s only for around 10 knots. There is a 50% possibility of freezing rain in the afternoon.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Saturday for blackfish, but there was little life on bottom both inshore and offshore. Just a few shorts and bergalls were caught, but hope springs eternal whenever ocean conditions are suitable.
There was a report on Facebook of good-sized cod being boated not too far offshore off eastern Long Island on the King Cod from Center Moriches (631 605-1404.
Nick Honachefsky has the first showing of his party boat episode Beasties Bottom Fish on the Sportsman Channel at 4:30 p.m.
Anglers have their last chance to bid on valuable fishing tackle and fishing trips of a lifetime during the IGFA International Auction which concludes at 6:30. E-mail Michelle Andersen at mandersen@igfa.org at 6:15 to join the live auction.
The northeast wind continues Sunday with 10-15 knots predicted plus gusts to 25. Washington’s Birthday sounds better with north winds at just 10 knots — though with the possibility of freezing rain.
At least the weather is right for pickerel through the ice as Chuck Many has been proving.
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.
Th
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.
Tight Lines 