The Fishing Line: No Thanks for Stripers

The popular fall striper has been playing cat and mouse with us and since the weather has been so fickle, the bass are hard to figure out. Better pick up that turkey for your Thanksgiving Feast after all.
Striper fishing is not what one would expect for this time of year. Sterling Harbor reports that there are plenty of fish to our north that just haven’t made it to us yet. Boats are reporting schools of fish moving down the beachfront. Surf fishing remained quiet with an only an occasional striper being caught.
Tog fishing and sea bassing are excellent with many anglers reporting limits from the rockpiles, reefs and inshore wrecks.
Check out Sterling Harbor Marina for Black Friday specials.
Bill (bucktail willie) Shillingford fishing out of Whale creek Marina had tough week finding bass. Bass were not holding in areas that have produced every other November. They are moving in quickly and moving out. The pick was slow and 6 fish, all short, was the best day with one day producing nothing. He did manage one at 30 inches.
It’s fishing! And we know things can turn around as quickly as the weather. Not a sport for the faint of heart.
Before I get to the NEWS, please accept my thanks for your loyalty and support of The Fishing Line. It doesn’t happen without your reports and photos. I am indebted to the ‘reporters’ and the readers. Enjoy your Feast.
NEWS: Winter Trout Stocking Program has begun. NJ DEP will again be stocking super-size trout in 23 lakes throughout the state. These 14 inch to 18 inch rainbow trout will come on the heels of the 20,000 two-year old beauties stocked in October. For the 2013 Winter Trout Stocking Schedule, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/wntrtrt13.htm
In an effort to ensure the health of the striped bass population, the Coast Guard is working to raise awareness of the federal regulations stating Atlantic striped bass may not be caught, harvested or possessed in the Exclusive Economic Zone. The EEZ begins three nautical miles from shore and extends out to 200 nautical miles. While striped bass are typically found closer to shore, changing sea temperatures can cause them to migrate farther than three miles offshore. A person caught fishing for, or in possession of striped bass while in the EEZ is subject to civil fines.
The Coast Guard has established an Atlantic Striped Bass Reporting Hotline at 757-398-6399. The public is encouraged to report any suspected poaching activity to the hotline. Information greatly increases the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.
The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s meeting, Dec. 9-12, Westin Hotel, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, Md., 410-972-4300. Online access to the meeting, enter as a guest at:
http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dec2013/ Briefing materials available at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/december-2013
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Landscape Project, training and information session, Rutgers University, Cook Campus, New Brunswick, Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m -12:30 p.m. www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/landscape_train.htm or e-mail patrick.woerner@dep.state.nj.us .
The Fishing Line runs year round (short hiatus in January) so keep sending your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Keep them coming.