The “happy-ending” rescue of the crew of the Black Magic last week was a true blessing and a lesson for all boaters. We really need to take a look at this event with the same intensity that we would have had it not ended so well.
Boaters, are you really prepared when you go asea? Are you relying on the old “it’ll be OK, nothing will happen to us?” Please do not take any chances. Make sure your vessel, gear, and safety equipment is all up-to-date and in working order. Questions were raised about an EPIRB aboard the Black Magic. It seems they did not have one.
David Umberger, Civilian Search and Rescue, who helped to oversee the rescue, “highly suggests all boaters have a proper VHF radio, correctly hooked-up and operational, and carry an EPIRB, properly registered and functioning.” Umberger told me that carrying an EPIRB is not a federal requirement, but I think it may be time to re-consider that and get your boat well prepared for fall fishing.
Sea bass fishing closed Oct. 11, and remains closed until Nov.1. According to our friends at Sterling Harbor, tog fishing has been excellent off the jetties, bridges, and inshore wrecks with green crab the bait of choice.
In the Delaware Bay, weakfish up to 20 inches are being caught near the No. 1 Buoy. In the back bays, small stripers are being caught on clam, small soft plastics and top water plugs and the action should improve as the water temperature cools.
Offshore, there is tuna and mahi-mahi at the canyons making their way south. Crabby Jack says the crabs are still around, and gives the crabbing 4 claws this week.
South Jersey Coastal Fly Anglers volunteered for the second year in a row to provide one on one guide service for the women in the South Jersey Casting For Recovery Program. The women were participating in a fly fishing retreat for women recovering from cancer. It is a weekend retreat where the women are instructed on fly fishing basics and then they get a chance to try what they have learned on a local lake.
The men’s club provided on the water instructions allowing the ladies to catch their first fish on a fly rod. Members tied flies during the year so that each woman would have a selection of flies to use. Through the program all the women had the use of rods, reels, waders provided by national sponsors. These are returned so that the next retreat will have equipment to use.
By the time they finished up it had started to rain and the wind had to be blowing about 25 mph plus. Despite the conditions all the women caught at least one fish on the fly. They were mostly all small sunfish with a couple of largemouth bass mixed in, but just catching a fish on the fly for the first time had them excited.
As an added bonus, the club had collected used fly rods, reels and lines during the year and were able to give each woman a fly rod and reel to take home so they could continue to expand on what they learned.
What a great experience for all.
The “Mucho Clams” got in on the last day of the sea bass season. On board were Jerry String Sr & Jr, Tyler String, Owen String & Mike Tracy. They went out to reef site 11 in 80 foot of water and had non stop action. Nailing about 150 sea bass, they kept some the biggest ones. The boys wanted to try for some tog so they snuck back inshore to a wreck just off Townsend Inlet and quickly limited out with five tog from 4 to 7 pounds. Nice day, I say.
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife announced that Gary Grimm of Flanders was the overall Grand Prize and Tournament Cup winner of the 19th annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament held Oct. 3 at Island Beach State Park. Grimm’s winning catch was a 30.5-inch striped bass. For a complete list of winners and more details about the event, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2010/gsft10-winners.htm.
You are invited to participate in the 26th annual fishing tournament sponsored by the Women’s Surf Fishing Club of NJ, open to both teams and individuals. Registration: 6 to 7 a.m., Brigantine Presbyterian Church, 1501 W Brigantine Ave. Fishing 7:30 to 10 am first position; 10:30 am to 1:00 pm second position. Fee. Call 264-7754.
Send your fish stories and photos to cmiller@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
