Another Sunday, another day on a boat. Well, I’m not complaining, but I don’t have any need for a fishing pole while on this boat ride. Fishing will hopefully come later. The ride, and just being on the water, is very enjoyable. This Sunday finds us on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry crossing the bay while on the first leg of our journey to Myrtle Beach, S.C. I’ll keep an eye on South Jersey while watching baseball at the Ripken Complex, and will hopefully have an opportunity to do a little freshwater fishing. Let’s get our trip started.
We’ll start with an update on the summer flounder situation. The New Jersey Marine Council recently held its April meeting and as expected, the main topic centered on flounder. The result of the meeting was that New Jersey has voted to go out of compliance in 2017. There are still several potential options on the table.
As of now the new Secretary of Commerce has to sign off on recommendations, and it appears the last date for him to act on this is May 11.
The New Jersey Federal Politicians and the DEP Commissioner have had ongoing conversations with the new commissioner to let him know of their opinions.
Any decisions made could come from one of these three options:
- He could sign off on the three fluke over 19 inches and a 123-day season, or
- He could delay his decision by asking for more information from a stock survey which would push back a decision till October, or
- Maintain the regulations at the 2016 standard and wait for new survey results and “Save the Flounder” data.
If “A” becomes the choice, then New Jersey fluke advisors will meet and develop recommendations to give to the council on whether to sign up for new regulations or continue out of compliance.
At this point the consensus among advisors is to “go out of compliance and continue the fight.”
Option “B” may not be bad due to the fact that the fluke season will be over by October anyway, and we would operate this season under the 2016 regulations.
Option “C” is the desired one though, as it will collect data from PHD’s hired by the “Save the Flounder” group, or it may use a survey developed by the council. The survey is desired because it could support data that shows male fluke die off around the 17-inch length, while “very rarely” reaching the 18-inch mark. Data like that would cause the council to view regulations differently. Data now “assumes a 50/50 split among male/female fish at all lengths,” and this is clearly wrong.
Concluding, no action was taken and New Jersey will wait on the secretary’s decision. The May date of the New Jersey Council meeting is on hold till after the May 11 decision. After all this, the general feeling is that the 2017 flounder season will open before, or on, Memorial Day. On a side note concerning fluke, word from Bucktail Willie had him catching and releasing fluke over 18 inches. This is consistent with previous year’s findings where April produces the largest fluke on average.
Captain Bob Cope from Full Ahead Charters reported that good tog fishing continues. A highlight of the week was an 11.5-pound fish that a fisherman named Donald caught. The nice aspect was that Donald got his picture, then allowed the fish to go back and swim for another day.
The Fishin’ Fever, with Captain Tom, continued to catch boat limits with various daily “big fish” ranging between eight and 10 pounds. Boat limits occurred daily, and for good measure a couple of cod were also caught. Book your May and June black drum trips now.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III is touching base for the first time in 2017. He started over the weekend by targeting tog. Anglers caught fish going to 6.5 pounds, and some limits were experienced. Frank Servocky, a regular here, and Joe Venezia won the first two pools of the season. Frank also was one of those who caught his limit. He is in “mid-season” form right out of the box.
South Cape Fishing out of Cape May has some open dates for tog – text them at (609) 425-4808 to get your spot. There are four spots open every day through April 30, and they also will be setting up trips for striper.
While fishing along the Cape May beachfront, Joe Getchius hooked a 30-inch, 11-pound bluefish. This fish was taken on a light-tackle rig that had 10-pound test-line. That made for a fun, tough challenge for the angler. Joe was aboard Irish Fly Charters, captained by Captain Ken Kelly and berthed on Ocean Drive in Cape May. Call or email Captain Ken at (610)-853-2594, (484)-433-1488 or irishflycharters@msn.com.
Congratulations to Wildwood Crest fisherman Gary Stocker who caught a 30-pound, 40-inch cobia recently while fishing out of Jupiter Inlet in Florida. Thanks for reading and sending in your information.
The Miss Avalon was out hitting the various blackfish hangouts this past weekend and patron Renee Troxel was the big winner. She had two fish over five pounds each. Overall, five fish over five pounds were documented, plus two anglers had four fish in their respective bags. The good fishing was attributed to the fact that the water temperature rose five degrees over the previous weekend. A reminder to you that the Avalon Lady is in town, passed her Coast Guard inspection, and is now taking reservations at (609) 967-7455. She’s a pontoon boat that will sail her first trip on May 6 for stripers and blues. Call and ask about Avalon Lady’s summer camp program for young anglers.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle reports some nice black drum, including 15- and 18-pounders, plus some small stripers being caught from the beach.
From the Atlantic City area we have new contributor – One Stop Bait and Tackle. Noel Feliciano has had many four-plus-pound tog weighed in lately with a lot eclipsing five pounds, and now the big “gator” blues are cruising around the rocks and bays behind the city. Stop in, find out the hot spot and grab some bait.
The Osprey continues to haul the blackfish in with a couple big females, including a 6.8-pounder being released to swim another day. The Osprey will sail for blackfish through the end of the month, so call (516) 449-3255 to make your reservations and get out.
Lots of information, both legal stuff and fishing, but it’s all there. Now get out and get fishing.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
