When Gov. Murphy closed N.J. state and county parks a couple of days ago, there was no specific mention of the Wildlife Management Areas — though it didn’t look good for them. However, the D.E.P. sent a press release today stating that they are open for fishing and hunting. The six-foot spacing must be observed. If any groups form, be sure to avoid them as that was what resulted in the parks closure.

The wind is howling as this is written, and there’s more to come as the morning marine forecast is for west at 25-30 knots with gusts to 40. A gale watch is up through Friday afternoon. However, Sunday is looking good.

There was better news from Florida, where Brian Correll caught the beautiful spadefish shown below while fishing with his father Bob off Marathon this week. Spadefish aren’t common there, but they appear at times in schools over reefs which come right up to the chum bag.