Tight Lines

There hasn’t been much to report from the New Jersey surf so far this spring, but all that changed dramatically on Sunday.

The annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament is normally handicapped by the fluke season not being open, but that wasn’t the case this year. Yet, all the fluke prizes went unclaimed along with those for late-arriving bluefish — while “only” striped bass were caught. To top it off, a lady angler had her name imprinted on the Governor’s Trophy.

The official release from the Division of Fish and Wildlife follows:

The 31st Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament was held May 15, 2022 at Island Beach State Park. The day stared with fog, but ended with sunshine, and while it was a slow day of fishing, everyone seemed to enjoy spending their day on the beach trying their best to get a fish to bite.

This was the fifth year the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament was open to high school teams with their own team category. Sixty-five high schoolers from six school fishing teams fished this year’s tournament. One team leader said, “The kids didn’t catch anything, but they had a great day!”

Assistant Commissioner of NJ DEP Fish and Wildlife, Dave Golden, was there to congratulate tournament winners, while assisting with the awards ceremony. Sponsoring organization presidents Gary Conk, Sr, NJ Beach Buggy Association; Wade Stein, NJ State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs; and Mark Taylor, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, also assisted with handing out tournament prizes. While six striped bass were entered into the tournament, Pam McGee of Newton was the Governor’s Cup winner with a 37 ½” striped bass.

Ms. McGee received two rod and reel combinations, a plaque and will have her name engraved on the Governor’s Cup, which is permanently on display at Island Beach State Park. Unfortunately, no one in the high school team category entered any fish.

In addition to the grand prize, four anglers received rod and reel combinations for their prize-winning fish in the striped bass category. There are overall categories for children, teen, and adult anglers, including sub-categories for male and female anglers.

The event was sponsored by the NJDEP’s Fish and Wildlife and State Park Service, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and the NJ Beach Buggy Association.

More than $150,000 has been raised since the inception of the tournament for conservation and education projects and improved beach access.

Winners of the 2022 Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament are:

Striped Bass Category Teen (Male):

• First Place: Logan Appello, Cliffside Park, NJ – 29 5/8”

Adult (Male):

• First Place: Tim Moran, West Milford, NJ – 31 4/8”
• Second Place: Vincent Percella, Lavallette, NJ – 31 1/8”
• Third Place: Ron Butkiewicz, Warren Twp., NJ – 28 6/8”

Adult (Female):

• First Place and Governor’s Cup Winner: Pam McGee, Newton, NJ – 37 4/8″

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Clam baits accounted for the IBSP stripers, but the best was yet to come as Nick Honachefsky fished the surf during the eclipse of the moon that night to release a striper probably over 40 pounds on a purple Bomber plug. He didn’t have official measurements, but used his fingers to come up with the 48-inch length and 28-29-inch girth that would put it over 40 pounds. See the photo below. Two others were lost due to the small hooks on the Bomber.

Nick was using an 8-foot Savage Gear rod with a Shimano Stradic 5000 spinning reel loaded with 30-pound Power Pro braid tied to a Tactical Anglers clip. He “forgot” to mention where he was fishing.

Chuck Many said many stripers were missed yesterday as surfcaster Chris Buchta joined Alex Katyan to fish eels from Tyman out of Highlands. However, those released ranged from 36 to 47 pounds.

The marine forecast for Thursday predicts showers in the morning with northwest winds at 10-15 knots before changing to southwest 5-10 in the afternoon.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported very good sea bass fishing the last two days. The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a good day with sea bass as everyone went home with a catch that also included ling — and many limited

Capt. Lou Grazioso says he’s been enjoying fluke action from his small boat in the Navesink and Shark rivers. However, with the new regs he had to release 20-inchers Sunday in Shark River.

The weather was good and sea bass cooperated for the opening of the N.J. season today. The Jamaica from Brielle reported they also had a good showing of cod and a couple of pollock plus a winter flounder. Some spots may be open for tomorrow’s 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. special.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported “All the sea bass you wanted” plus ling, two cod and two big stripers up to 43 inches which had to be released.

Chuck Many had only big stripers to release from his Tyman out of Highlands on Monday as they ranged from 45 to 51 inches and were caught on live eels.

The marine forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots before going southwest at 5-10 in the afternoon.

The black sea bass season in N.J. opens tomorrow with a 13-inch minimum and 10-fish bag limit that shouldn’t be hard to come by on wrecks and rough bottoms that haven’t been worked this season.

Some party boats have filled up special trips, and the rest will probably reach capacity early. Don’t treat this as an ordinary weekday. Be at the boat at least an hour early!

The forecast is great, with west winds at 10 knots before increasing to 10-15 with gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

Fluke anglers will have a unique opportunity to improve their skills Tuesday night at 5:30 when Dave Lilly presents his seminar at the Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County meeting in the American Legion Hall, 33 West Passaic St., Rochelle Park. Non-members are welcome to attend for a fee of $5 that can be applied to membership in that active organization. Call Chuck Santoro at 201 446-9047 for details.

I call Lilly the best private fluke fisherman because he’s proven that year after year by winning or placing in almost every fluke tournament he’s entered.

Unfortunately, one of the SWABC’s best anglers, Tom Siciliano Jr., will not be there as he passed away last month at the age of 79. Tom, who was very active in conservation activities, lived in Little Egg Harbor after growing up in Clifton. I remember many trips with Tom up to the annual SWABC Past President’s Dinner at which he almost always collected a trophy for the biggest fish of some species.

Capt. Hans Kaspersetz with a fluke limit.

Capt. Ron Santee is tired from straining his eyes peering into fog, and was glad to wind up a striper season on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands that he termed “uneventful” from a party boat point of view. He’s taking Monday off to get ready for Tuesday’s sea bass season opening day. One angler caught six stripers on swim shads today, and a couple hit jigs.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a good day with stripers as all caught stayed on the boat. Some were lost, but there were none of the usual overs. Swim shads were best, with a couple on Flutter spoons

Nick from Monmouth County had good surf conditions Saturday with a light east wind and some movement. Once again, his jumbo bloodworms produced with a 32″ bass plus a 28″ and 24″. Back at the same spot this morning Nick got a 24-incher on his first cast before adding a 28, 27 and a schoolie. Other anglers fishing shrimp and clam did nothing.

The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before increasing to 15-20 with gusts to 25 in the afternoon. Dense fog is likely in the morning, followed by showers.

Even those who haven’t registered for the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament an participate for the many valuable prizes simply by showing up at the PIBSP Pavillion at 5 a.m.

It’s also necessary to have the free N.J. marine fishing registration. Visit newjerseyfishandwildlife.com and follow the directions so you can print out the permit.

The weather looks fishable with light winds and fog early before possible showers.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a slow start to striper fishing today before a mid-day change of tide provided a pick of bass up to a 42-pounder that had to go back. They’ll be back at the stripers in the morning, but will switch to sea bass when that season opens Tuesday, Both morning and afternoon trips are open for registration.

The Jamaica from Brielle will be running Marathon trips from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. by registration on the sea bass opener.

Greg Prestosh reported fog, rain and cold yesterday morning on Raritan Bay, but he and Jim Hancharick caught 19 stripers up to a 34-pounder. See photo above.

Surfcasters are looking forward to the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament 0n Sunday at Island Beach State Park. Those not already registered can do so Sunday in the Pavillion at 5 a.m. Though it’s early for good fluke fishing in the surf, bluefish could be abundant — and bait often produces a legal striper or two.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar resumed fishing today in a bit of a roll plus fog. They marked some stripers, but the bass weren’t ready to bite. The day was saved at some wrecks where ling were bagged while sea bass were released as they aren’t legal until Tuesday.

Dense fog is likely Saturday morning, but the wind will be only southeast at 5 knots. There’s a chance of showers in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Chuck Many was out yesterday with his Tyman from Highlands and reported as follows:

“Fun times tagging for Gray FishTag Research with Bill Dobbelaer, Dave David Nova, Shawn Carpenter, Mike Michael Caruso and Bob Bowden!! Fishing was definitely slower than we had hoped, but tagged 15 Bass to 41” and put a PSAT Tag in a beautiful fish. Can’t wait to see where she goes!! Shout out to Roxanne Van Dyke Willmer for all the hard work and all the sponsors for contributing to a great cause!”

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The small craft advisory came down at 6 pm, and decent fishing conditions are predicted through the weekend.

The northeast wind will only be 10-15 knots in the morning along with patchy fog The wind drops to east at 5-10 knots in the afternoon plus a chance of showers.

Capt. Vinny Vetere reported stripers were waiting when he got out with his Katfish from Great Kills.

The Fishermen magazine reported big bluefish are moving into inlets throughout the area, and large porgies are thick in Peconic Bay

The Golden Eagle from Belmar resumes sailing for blues and stripers in the morning.

There was bad news today from Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as follows:

FISHERMEN/We lost another Awesome Man, Friend & Fisherman today.

 Created: Tuesday, 10 May 2022 20:18 Written by Capt. Ron

It is once again with a broken heart that I have to post we have lost another Awesome Man.

Lou Del Mastro (Frank’s older Brother) passed today after fighting his battle for many years.

One of the strongest, most kind hearted men I have ever met in my life, always up and never down even in his darkest times.

When it was a tough day, Lou was the guy pumping me back up at the dock with a smile saying,”it’s fishing, you gave it hell, that’s all you can do….I’ll be back.

Never a trip where, your Breakfast (Lunch), because I always ate it on the way out, is in the cooler…Lou & younger brother Frank were inseparable and Always fished together. Frank actually felt comfortable enough one trip last year to go it alone while his brother had chemo treatment, when he told me that, I felt it a badge of honor.

Going through all my pics I could only find two where it was only Lou…..Last week when Frank came to fish, Lou told him to tell me he was sorry he couldn’t make it, always thinking of someone else is why we all love & will miss you. The “other” corner will always be yours, look over your left shoulder and give my Dad a thumbs up for me!

Fair winds, always in our Hearts my Friend. Until we fish again…..

Capt. Ron

The northeaster is finally blowing itself out. That wind will be down to 10 to 15 knots tomorrow, with a perfect east at 5 to 10 knots on Friday.

While waiting for the wind machine to be turned off, Chuck Many switched over to sweet water bass with similar results.

Following is a release from Bassmaster:

B.A.S.S. Founder Ray Scott, The Father Of Modern Bass Fishing, Has Died

Following is a release from Bassmaster with the ad news about their founder, Ray Scott.

May 9, 2022B.A.S.S. Founder Ray Scott, The Father Of Modern Bass Fishing, Has Died  Ray Scott passed away on Sunday, May 8 at around 11:30 p.m. He died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes. Scott was 88 years old. Scott founded the first national professional bass fishing circuit, the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, in 1967 and the following year founded the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society — B.A.S.S. — which would grow to become the world’s largest fishing organization.  “Our entire organization was saddened to hear about the passing of our founder, Ray Scott,” said Chase Anderson, B.A.S.S. CEO. “Ray’s passion and vision for bass fishing birthed our entire industry more than 50 years ago when he founded B.A.S.S. and started the first professional fishing tournament series. His legacy is felt to this day and continues to influence B.A.S.S., the world’s largest fishing membership organization, which he started in 1968. Ray’s contributions and impact on conservation and his advocacy and passion for anglers and our sport set the standard for tournament fishing and are something we will always strive to uphold. “Our hearts and prayers are with the Scott family.” The bass tournament competition Scott created rewarded anglers who caught the heaviest limits of bass in the three- or four-day events, which served as the proving grounds for rapid advancements in bass boats, outboard engines, fishing tackle, lures and electronics. Everyday anglers began purchasing whatever the bass pros were using, spawning a massive bass fishing industry that today has an economic impact in excess of $125 billion per year and employs more than 800,000 people nationwide. Before Scott began pursuing his dream of organizing America’s bass anglers, the sport was a laid-back, mainly Southern pastime that was largely overlooked by the trout-focused national outdoor media. To serve B.A.S.S. members and to publicize the tournament trail, Scott launched Bassmaster Magazine, which the New York Times described as “the Bible of Bass Fishing,” and which ultimately would be delivered to 650,000 B.A.S.S. members monthly. In 1984, he and then-Bassmaster Editor Bob Cobb created The Bassmasters TV show, which attracted more than 1 million viewers weekly on The Nashville Network. Aired today on Fox Sports, the program is one of the longest-running and most-watched fishing shows in history. Not only did Scott help grow the sport of bass fishing, but he also did more than any other individual to preserve it.In 1972, he debuted the “Don’t Kill Your Catch” campaign and mandated that all tournament competitors’ boats feature an aerated livewell to keep their bass alive.  “I didn’t invent catch and release,” Scott acknowledged, “but we did make it popular in bass fishing, and that changed the sport in so many ways. We preached that a bass is too valuable to be caught only once. We helped fishermen learn how great it felt to catch a 5- or 6-pound bass and then lean over and let it go and watch it swim away, hopefully to be caught again.” As a result, the catch-and-release ethic caught on so well that more than 90% of all bass anglers today release all or most of the bass they catch. Scott and his rapidly growing B.A.S.S. organization also crusaded against the industrial pollution of America’s waterways. In 1970 and ’71, Scott filed some 200 anti-pollution lawsuits, drawing national attention to declining water quality and contributing significantly to passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972. He was an early advocate of bass fisheries research, and he campaigned zealously for passage of the federal Wallop-Breaux Sport Fish Restoration Amendment of 1984. When the bill stalled in Congress, Scott’s friendship with then-Vice President George H.W. Bush helped ensure enactment of the amendment. As a result, approximately $375 million in sportfish restoration allocations are provided annually to state fisheries agencies for management, aquatic education and public access projects. Few individuals have had a more positive impact on boating safety than Scott. Early on, he began requiring tournament competitors to wear personal flotation devices whenever boating, and he convinced manufacturers to make emergency shut-off devices — “kill switches” — standard features on motorboats. In 1994, he was instrumental in passing the comprehensive Boating Safety Reform Act in Alabama, which became the first state to require that boat drivers pass a written exam and obtain a boat operator’s license.  In recognition of his efforts, President Jimmy Carter appointed Scott to the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Boating Safety Advisory Council, and in 2002, he was inducted into the National Boating Safety Hall of Fame. Scott earned numerous other accolades and honors for his contributions to outdoor recreation over the years. Field & Stream Magazine listed Scott — along with President Theodore Roosevelt, environmentalist Rachel Carson and naturalist/conservationist Aldo Leopold — among 20 individuals who most influenced outdoor sports during the 20th century. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2001, the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 1987. He was named the 1988 Sport Fisherman of the Year by the Sport Fishing Institute.  The elder President Bush picked Scott as his Alabama state chairman during his 1979-80 presidential campaign, and the two remained good friends and fishing companions throughout Bush’s terms as Vice President and President of the United States. Scott’s was a true rags-to-riches story. He was born in Montgomery, Ala., on Aug. 24, 1933, and grew up there during the depths of the Great Depression. His father operated an ice cream cart and his mother worked as a hairdresser to support the family, which grew to include Ray, his brother and three uncles — all living in a one-bedroom home. Scott contributed to the family treasury by delivering groceries on his bicycle, mowing lawns and selling peanuts at baseball games. Scott suffered from dyslexia, which contributed to his having to repeat eighth grade, but he eventually managed to earn a degree in Business Administration from Auburn University and soon afterward became one of Mutual of New York insurance company’s top salesmen in the Southeast. In recognition of his successes, Scott received the 2003 Horatio Alger Award, which honors the achievements of outstanding Americans who have succeeded in spite of adversity. After a decade in the life insurance business, Scott had a vision that he might be the one to elevate the national profile of bass fishing to be, as he said, “on par with golf” and worthy of television exposure. That year, 1967, he quit his job and began organizing the first major national bass fishing tournament, the All American at Beaver Lake, Ark. The event was successful enough for Scott to begin holding tournaments at other reservoirs in the South and to launch B.A.S.S. and Bassmaster early in 1968. His brainchild, the annual Bassmaster Classic world championship, grew from two dozen competitors and about that many spectators at Lake Mead, Nev., in 1971, to become the biggest event in sportfishing over the next half-century. Today, the Classic and related events such as the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo record more than 100,000 fishing fans each year. He sold B.A.S.S. to an investment group including his executive vice president, Helen Sevier, and other employees in 1986, but he continued to serve as emcee of the Classic for several more years. He later became a consultant and a popular spokesman for numerous companies in the fishing industry, and he launched a successful hunting industry enterprise to market deer feed and related products through his Whitetail Institute. After a half-century of helping to grow and shape the sportfishing industry worldwide, Scott retired to his farm near Pintlala, Ala., where he remained mostly out of the public eye in the years prior to his death. He is survived by his wife Susan and his four children.  I enjoyed bass fishing in Alabama with Ray many years ago and well before he started B.A.S.S. While serving as director of field testing for Garcia, I was able to bring Garcia aboard as an original sponsor, and watch that venture prosper. Ray was the eternal optimist, and the perfect person to build a sportfishing empire while changing the standards of bass fishing from keeping every legal bass to releasing almost all! The northeast wind continues, but is finally decreasing tomorrow afternoon when a small craft warning will come down as northeast winds decrease from 15-20 knots with gusts to 30 down to 10-15. The Golden Eagle from Belmar will resume fishing Friday at 7:30 a.m. As of this morning, the Jamaica from Brielle had two openings on the Friday 10 p.m. tilefish trip. Call 732 528-5014.

Anglers in NY/NJ Bight have had enough of northeast winds, but there’s more to come tomorrow.

The forecast is for 20-25 knots plus gusts to 35. IT CAN’T LAST FOREVER!