First, a thanks to Simon & Garfunkel. Now, think of the “Sounds of Silence” as the report starts.
Hello blackfish, my old friend, it’s good to have you back in season again. Because a vision of a double-digit fish, is something of which many wish. Enough already. Your one-month hiatus probably seemed longer to most of us, but now you are back on the radar, and as of April 1, you’re legal. No fooling! Check with the local boats to see who’s running and grab a seat at the rail. The Miss Avalon, Cape May Lady and the Porgy IV are three party boats that head out for blackfish. Also, don’t forget stripers should be in the back. As the water warms and folks venture to the sod banks, we await word of some April catches. We have news of a local club and their efforts to aid the local fishing scene, and a reminder of the final fishing shows of the season. Let’s get going.
For those who enjoy fishing the local reef system, a note of thanks should go to the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club. (SFEC). This spring the SFEC will continue its commitment and funding to the development of artificial reefs in the Corson’s and Townsends Inlet vicinities. This spring, through SFEC funding, six barge loads of Delaware River dredge rock will be added to the Ocean City and Townsends Inlet reef systems. The rock will be “deployed” in long lines. Picture long underwater lines of rock, similar to a jetty, and you have the picture of what’s under your boat. The new “formation” on the Ocean City Reef will be known as the “Herb Hollinger, Sr. Ridgeline-North.” Meanwhile, the rock “deposited” on the Townsends Inlet Reef will go by the moniker “Herb Hollinger, Sr. Ridgeline-South.” These two new reefs are dedicated in memory of Mr. Hollinger, Sr., who was a founding member of the SFEC. A generous contribution by the Hollinger family coupled with general club funding has made this new construction project possible. Also, the SFEC would like to recognize long-time member and past president Randy Roash for his continued work and direction on this and other reef deployment efforts. The SFEC is pleased to be involved with ongoing coastal reef building projects.
These dredge rock deployments, which are easily accessible from both Townsends and Corson’s Inlets, will provide homes to a variety of marine life and multiple species of fish. These “will serve as fishing grounds for anglers and an attraction for the diving community for hundreds of years to come.” I know I’m looking forward to the time when blackfish will be inhabiting these reefs. Other fish will obviously be there also, and that will benefit the entire local fishing community. Thank you, SFEC, for your continued effort in improving the local fishing scene.
I thought this may be a good time to take a look at the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club. They are a club that at last count totals approximately 180 members. These people share a common interest of fishing, boating, supporting the artificial reef program, and the support of environmental issues such as clean water and beaches, and fish conservation.
As you can deduce from the club name, they are based in the South Jersey shore-town of Strathmere. SFEC sponsors many social events including several fishing tournaments, a boat parade, barbecues, summer and winter socials, shore-related events for children, plus involvement with local community service.
An upcoming event that was mentioned a few weeks ago is a series of fish seminars. They are scheduled for Saturday, April 28 at the Strathmere Firehouse. The starting time is 3 p.m. and the topics to be covered are summer flounder “how to” fishing skills, surf fishing that examines rigs, hooks, baits, and the always important casting techniques, and inshore and offshore fishing that will look at techniques used and fish found on the local reefs. Vendors will have fishing-related items, $100 gift certificates will be awarded following each presentation, and beverages and snacks will be provided.
I checked out their 2018 calendar and it is chock full of events. A couple that weren’t mentioned before are the Turtle Release Program, a Crab Tournament, a Horseshoe Tournament and a Summer Social Sunset Cruise. As you can see, the group is active in a number of different areas.
If you want to check out the club, go online or on Facebook and search Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club. Information on dues, the 2018 calendar and other topics are available to download from the site.
An important meeting will occur tomorrow, April 5 concerning a local favorite: summer flounder. The major issue to be considered will be the opening of our flounder season. A large crowd of anglers is hoped for so the message can be sent that a favorable decision is important for our region. Our wish would be for an early opening. Our shallower bays and backwaters allow the water to heat up faster. Early season warm water is an excellent situation for us. The fish are here and active and wanting to eat before moving out of the back. With a later opening, the larger fish are mostly gone. They are replaced by smaller fish that must be returned to the water and run the risk of being killed from a gut-hook or other injury after being caught. As mentioned in previous columns, as the season progresses, the size of the fish tends to drop. The later opening/closing of seasons benefits the northern part of the state more than us. If you are able to attend, the address is 775 East Bay Ave. in Manahawkin.
I want to correct some information from a previous report. Mike Jung recently caught a bluefin tuna, not a blackfin, as I originally reported. From reporting on blackfish catches and the approaching season, when I saw a “BFT” was caught, my mind went right to blackfin and that’s where it stayed. Even seeing the picture didn’t jolt my brain to the error. I was locked in, and that was it. Thanks to the sharp readers who caught the mistake. Thanks for following the column and please continue to do so.
With some actual fishing hopefully breaking out all over soon, you don’t want to miss your last few opportunities to get some more fishing gear, or better yet, a new fishing platform. With that in mind, don’t forget these upcoming shows. This Saturday and Sunday the Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo takes over the Wildwoods Convention Center. Boats and kayaks to fish from will be available, and many vendors will be offering their wares for sale. The following weekend is the Ocean City Intermediate School Fishing Flea Market. Originally scheduled in early March, the show was a victim of one of our recent nor’easters. Be at 1801 Bay Ave on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you’ll be good to go. The next day, Sunday, April 15, belongs to the Cape May Fishing Flea Market. The address is 921 Lafayette St. and the time is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be a couple of busy weekends, but a great opportunity to get some new toys.
Get out and do some fishing, or head to the Wildwoods Convention Center. Whatever you do, get involved. I’ll see you out and about.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
