The cold and the accompanying wind really put a damper on things recently. Sure, there was some fishing, but not the amount that we are accustomed to, even at this point in the year. If you’re not fishing, we still have a reminder for you that will help you when you are ready to start fishing again. And, we have some news on the options that are on the table for the upcoming fishing season. Let’s see what’s been going on.
The Starfish has officially called it a season. They were saying that they wanted to fish well into January and they did that and were able to catch some nice blackfish right up until the end. It’s now time for some maintenance and preparation for the spring season of blackfish. With that in mind, the Starfish crew plans on starting their new season on April 1. Thanks to the staff of the Starfish for the pictures and reports that are featured each week in the column.
Now, looking at their final trips of the season, we find that more nice fish were caught. Some of the fish looked to be in the 5- to 7-pound range. With nice fish like that at this point of the year, you could say that they definitely “left them biting.”
The options for the 2024 flounder, sea bass and scup options are out. There are four options that include different size, bag and season packages. Of the four there are two that have garnered the most interest.
The first, Option 23 has a flounder season consisting of three fish at 17.5 inches and up, with opening day being on May 24 and a closing date of Sept. 4. Obviously, this option doesn’t allow for much late summer fishing (September) when the reefs are usually the best place to be.
Four segments of sea bass fishing are included with the first opening on May 17 and running through June 19. During this period the bag is 10 fish at 12.5 inches. The 12.5-inch size will remain constant throughout the year with the only changes being the opening and closing dates and the bag limits.
Other segments are scheduled to open and close on July 1 through Aug. 31 with a one-fish bag limit, Oct. 1-31 with a 10-fish bag limit, and finally Nov. 1-Dec. 31 with a 15-fish bag limit.
Scup has two seasons, with the first from Jan. 1 through June 30 that has a bag limit of 30 fish at 10 inches. The second segment is from Aug. 27-Dec. 31 and has the same bag and size limits as the first segment.
Option 30 is the other option that is drawing attention. First, the sea bass and scup regulations are almost the same (the second scup season starts on Sept. 1). The difference then is in the flounder category, where the season starts on May 5 and runs through Sept. 23. The earlier start to the season is nice for our area where the backwaters are usually populated by some nice flounder by that time of the year. The other component of this option is the three-fish bag where the fish will have an 18-inch limit. That bag and limit will be nice for August and September fishing at the local reefs where flounder of that size, and larger, can be caught.
We’ll have more information as it becomes available and decisions are made.
If you’re done fishing for the season, or soon will be, then you should consider taking care of your rods and reels. A little cleaning and maintenance now will benefit you when you start fishing again.
The first thing for you to do is remove your reel from your rod. Salt, from salt spray, builds up under your reel. Separating the rod and reel allows you to clean under the reel and on the reel seat. A good fresh water rinsing of both items, particularly your reel, will extend its life. A low-end, brand name reel that I bought over five years ago at a local fishing flea market is still going strong. The guy I bought it from said that it was a good, one season reel. Since I’m cheap (I admit it) I said I would get more than that out of it. A little care has extended its life way longer than expected. You can do the same for your reels, and your rods, by just investing an hour of your time.
Also, while you’re holding your reel, don’t forget to back your drag off. Doing so will extend the life of the washers that cause the drag on your line. You can also oil your reel. Oil may have come with your reel when you bought it, or you may be able to buy a tube at your local tackle shop.
Changing your braid, or taking it off and switching the ends on your reel, is another thing you can do. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to strip off your old top shot and put on a new 10-foot length.
A little care now will extend the life of your gear and save you some money. And if you’re like most anglers then savings will be reinvested into additional rods and reels. It’s amazing how that process works.
Don’t forget that the Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series is this Saturday, Feb. 3, in Atlantic City. It will be held at the Resorts Casino Hotel Ballroom from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The show features speakers consisting of local captains and regional fishing personalities who will discuss near shore, inshore, and offshore fishing. Strategies and tactics to assist you, and hopefully increase your catch rate, will be discussed. You can go to their Facebook page, or call 954-755-6898, for more information and to purchase tickets. An after Seminar Party for attendees will follow at the Atlantic City Bass Pro Shop running from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
It’s now that we seem to be entering the black hole of winter fishing. It’s better known as show season, so get out and enjoy a fishing and boating show or a fishing flea market. Take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
