The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife reminds New Jersey saltwater recreational fishers they may be required to register with the new National Saltwater Angler Registry before they go ocean or bay fishing in 2010.
Registration is quick and easy and free in 2010. Simply log on to http://www.CountMyFish.noaa.gov/ and click on the Angler Registry link, or call 1-888-674-7411. Anglers receive a registration number that allows them to begin fishing immediately. After 30 days, they will receive a registration card, valid for one year.
The registry is part of an overhaul of the way NOAA collects and reports recreational fishing data. The goal is to provide the most accurate information possible to determine the health of fish stocks.
Locally, fishing is heating up with offshore water temps up to almost 80 degrees creating a good fishing environment.
Big Eye tuna have made their presence known, as well as white marlin, some blue marlin and dolphin. South Jersey Marina charter boats have been on top of the flounder spots and the Porgy IV came in with 31 keeper flounder.
In offshore news, the Hooked Up II caught and released two white marlin, had a blue up and saw some dolphin. The Judge pulled in two nice tuna and Raging Bull had a few white marlin bites.
Sterling Harbor reports flounder fishing good at the Old Grounds, Reef Site 11 and the Cape May Reef.
Flounder are also being caught along the edge of the shipping lanes from 14 Foot Light to above Miah Maul in the Delaware Bay.
In the back-bays, there are plenty of short flounder, with keepers coming from deeper water.
Schools of bluefin tuna are everywhere from the 20 Fathom line out to the Canyons, and a few
were caught on the troll, but generally have been tough to catch.
Bernadette Daiber caught her first golden tilefish and reported 15 more up to 25-pounds.
Chaz Gallagher of Williamstown, reported five yellowfin tuna in the 40-60-pound range while trolling the Poorman’s Canyon.
In the surf, kingfish have shown up from Avalon to Cape May.
Schoolie stripers are still hanging around the back-bays, and can be caught on clam or surface lures.
Crabby Jack gives the crabbing Five Claws again this week, and says the crabs are large and plentiful.
Sterling Harbor’s Duke of Fluke Tournament is scheduled for July 10 Entry forms in the shop.
Grassy Sound Marina has seen lots of action with flounder too, and a few nice stripers weighed in. The crabs are also showing up at the fishing pier.
The Grassy Sound Flounder Tourney is set for July 10. Info and details at grassysoundmarina.com.
Andrew Doria, 8, Philadelphia caught his first flounder, a 19-incher, off the fishing pier using squid during outgoing tide.
Carol Boyle, National Park, caught three keepers near the Stone Harbor Toll bridge using minnows and squid at the top of the tide.
This week most of the fly and spin action was in the back-bay areas. The evening provided some strong tidal flow and most of the action was around rip lines along sod banks, up in the shallow areas and around creek mouths.
Captain Ray even saw a few stripers tailing up on top of the sod banks as they foraged for bait.
He had fun on the fly rod using crease flies and steroid gurglers on floating lines, which had the fish smacking the fly on the surface. All the bass were throw backs, but the bluefish were running around 16 to 22 inches. Perfect for fun on light tackle and a great size for eating.
Ray reported a rare blitz condition with the terns diving and blues crashing bait for almost an hour. Plug anglers did well using smack-it-jr popping plugs. Even had one 17 1/2 inch fluke taken on a 6-inch swimming plug.
If you haven’t gotten out fishing yet this year, now is the time.
Send your fish stories and photos to cmiller@cmcherald.com. All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com.
West Cape May – The amount of TV shows airing is getting out of hand. Less movies are being produced today than ever before. Instead, people are glued to watching shows that most people never heard of.
