The Fishing Line: Goodbye Sandy, Hello Stripers

The hurricane is over. The Nor’easter has passed. Still, many are left with broken homes, businesses, and hearts. Know that our thoughts and prayers go out to all. Here’s to a gentle winter that will allow for rebuilding and renewal. There are some fishing reports and plenty of fishing news to consider.
Fly-fisherman Capt. Ray Szulczewski weathered Sandy and pulled Tide Runner. He’s got her back in the water and had some fun catching small stripers on the fly rod off the sod banks in the back bay. Chartreuse/white clouser flies fished on sinking line produced well. He was mainly fishing the outgoing tide with the best trip producing eight stripers. Ray is hearing reports of bigger fish starting to move in and being caught. He’s looking forward to working the inlet and the beach front. Sadly, he reflects that there’s not a whole lot of time left in the season. He hopes to be fishing until December. Weather will be the biggest factor for him, as it is for most anglers.
Bucktail Willie pulled his boat out of Whale Creek Marina in anticipation of the storm and reports that that Whale Creek Marina came through in good shape with exception of 2 foot of water in the store. The docks held well with minimal damage. He was ready to go back in when the nor’easter showed up. As soon as the weather improves, he’ll be back in.
NEWS: As a public health and safety precaution, the DEP is advising recreational boaters, anglers and crabbers to temporarily avoid the waters of northern Barnegat Bay, from Barnegat Light to Point Pleasant, and is advising residents not to eat any fish, crustaceans or shellfish from these waters due to potential contamination from bacteria and viruses. For details http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2012/12_0137.htm
Starting Friday, Nov. 16 the limit on tautog goes to 6 fish at 15 inches.
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Winter Trout Stocked Lakes Program provides additional trout fishing opportunities during the late fall and winter months. The stocking consists of two-year old trout averaging 14 to 18 inches in length. The fish will be stocked in 24 lakes ranging in size from five to 100 acres and with shoreline access and/or boat launching sites. For more information http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_winter.htm
Garden State Seafood Association seeks Federal Disaster Aid: Commercial fishermen and fishing-dependent businesses from Cumberland County bordering Delaware Bay up the coast to Monmouth County on Raritan Bay suffered grievously from Hurricane Sandy and face challenges as they rebuild both their facilities and their markets. GSSA is requesting Governor Christie to request assistance as provided by law from the the Secretary of Commerce and encourage the Secretary to act in a timely manner to help NJ’s fishermen and those in fishing-dependent businesses. Contact Greg DiDomenico, executive director, 898-1100 or gregdi@voicenet.com.
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the NJ Marine Fisheries Council meeting scheduled for Nov. 1, has been rescheduled for today, Nov. 14, 4 p.m., Parks and Forestry Visitor Center, Batsto Village, Rt. 542, Washington Township, Burlington County. This meeting will take up the agenda that was to be discussed Nov. 1. (http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/mcnclmtg.htm)
BoatUS warns boaters, “This isn’t the time to hire someone cruising the beach in a tow truck.” Getting the right salvage and repair help for a damaged boat after a hurricane can be difficult. Stay away from the inexperienced. Ask them how long they have been doing business and for references, and call them. Check out the complaint database at BoatUS.com/consumerdatabase. Boat owners setting out for salvage and repairs can check out these websites: American Boat & Yacht Council (www.abycinc.org); C-PORT, The Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing (www.cport.us); American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (www.abbra.org).
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. All pictures submitted are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com.