Well, as we get closer to the spring fishing season, it seems we’re getting closer to a late winter season. Snow flew around on Friday, a day after 70-degree weather had my mind thinking of baseball, early season stripers and April tog. The up and down thermometer, the warm and sunny followed by the cold and snowy, and the wildly changing weather just makes me want more consistency in the weather. It has made for a slow start on the local fishing scene. But all is not lost, as a local captain took advantage of the situation to get some freshwater fishing in with some friends. Let’s get the show rolling.
As mentioned in a previous column, the March Marine Council meeting has been cancelled. It has been rescheduled for April 13. Historically, the March meeting is the time that New Jersey sets the regulations following the Mid-Atlantic Council. This year, due to the severe restrictions being applied to New Jersey, the meeting was put off to allow for more time to evaluate the situation.
While checking around to see what has been going on, I heard that there is a strong backing for New Jersey to maintain the 2016 regulations for this year. They are looking at two or three options, with seasonal length, start/end date and bag limit being the usual items to be determined. There is a good chance that opening day will be similar to last year, being roughly a week before the Memorial Day long weekend. The final decision is based on what the Department of Environmental Protection commissioner decides. Even though a bill was introduced in Congress by Congressmen LoBiondo and Pallone, it was felt that the bill may not have enough time to get through Congress to be of any assistance to us for the 2017 season. As always, if I hear any more news before the actual April meeting I will pass it on.
Captain Ray from Tide Runner is waiting for the season to get going. He has been using most of his recent time to get his boat ready. During a break, he and some friends took advantage of the nice conditions to get some fly-fishing fun in. They have been using solid black or olive wooly buggers on sinking line. The reason for this strategy was due to the cold water and deep holding fish. This set-up gets them down where the fish are staging. They have been catching nice size crappies, sunfish and some smaller largemouth bass. The afternoons have been best, probably due to the higher sun and time for the water to warm, and as a result a couple of hours of fishing have yielded around eight fish per person. Per Captain Ray, “It has been great to get out and feel the rod bend before I start my saltwater fishing.”
From Jeff Merrill comes word of the IGFA New Jersey Representatives 20th Annual Fundraising Banquet and Auction. It will be held on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at Doolan’s Shore Club. It is located on Route 71 in Spring Lake Heights, N.J. It is hosted by a group of New Jersey representatives, and generates proceeds that will benefit IGFA’s Junior Angler and Conservation programs. Last year, 165 guests attended and nearly $18,000 was raised for those programs.
A “deluxe hot and cold buffet” will follow cocktail hour. Next up will be an auction featuring fishing tackle, rods, jewelry, marine artwork and other fishing accessories. Fishing trips donated by local captains will also be included in the list of available gifts. The Grand Raffle will include two Maxel Ocean Max rod and reel combinations. A silent auction and a Tricky Tray raffle will allow more fishing trips, clothing, tackle, gifts and artwork to be available. All guests will receive a commemorative gift from IGFA.
Reservations are limited to the first 225 people and can be made by sending a $75 check per guest, made to IGFA, to: IGFA Banquet c/o Jeff Merrill 918 Houston St., South Plainfield, N.J. 07080. For further information, call Jeff Merrill at (908) 451-1110 or email jeffmerrill2@verizon.net.
Recently, the local 4-H organization had its public speaking presentations. 4-H members choose an area of interest or knowledge to speak about publicly. This exercise is designed to provide a forum so members can gain comfort with public speaking and then use these skills in other endeavors. Members are critiqued by judges, given a list of positive aspects plus areas to strengthen, and then given a score. A grade of excellent and meeting an age requirement allows participants to present their topics at the state level.
The Tight Lines Fishing Club, of which I am an assistant leader, had five members participating this year. Interests covered were: How to Properly Present Rabbits at a Livestock Show; Playing Lacrosse and the Equipment Used; The Gear of Firefighting and the Preparation of a Junior Firefighter; The Art, Grips and Strategy of Pitching; and Dryland Training: Preparing for Competitive Swimming Before Getting in the Pool. All members came prepared and did an excellent job in conveying their knowledge to the audience.
It’s the time of the year where the local boats are getting prepared for the coming season, and captains are taking reservations for the various fishing seasons to come. To get your interest piqued, a few head boats will get us started.
The Miss Avalon is set to start on April 8 at 8 a.m., the Lady Chris and Miss Chris are in dry-dock and finishing up, the Sea Star III is looking to get going soon and Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing is getting the boat prepped and ready. The Starlight Fleet is already in the water, as well as the Royal Flush. Everyone is anxious and ready to go, and just waiting for either the weather to start to cooperate or a particular species to become legal.
On the charter boat side we have Stalker Fishing Charters, the Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters, Full Ahead Sport Fishing and Bayhound Charters who are all taking calls and booking charters for either stripers, sharks, tuna, blackfish, flounder or drum fish. Some boats may be targeting some species and not others, particularly early in the season, so call them to see if your desired species and trip time is available.
Don’t forget April 9 and the Cape May Fishing Flea Market. More reminders to follow. Take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
