The Fishing Line: Time to take stock

It’s time to take stock. State and federal regulations are in the news again for porgies and sea bass. Many have told me that the summer fluke were more abundant than ever. Then there are those who report little to no bait fish where bait fish species were once abundant.
Tell me your experience of the summer of ’09. It seems I get the good news-folks who have a catch to brag about. But what was the overall season like? I was out only a few times and had fish to take home each trip. (Although I have to say I’m a proponent of ‘any day fishing is a good day.’)
Let me hear from you.
Captain Ray was able to get some fish for his charters this week despite dirty water conditions and the lack of normal bait for this time of year. Fish were harder to find even at prime times, early morning or evenings, but Ray managed to get enough to keep fly and plug charters having some fun.
A variety of different flies worked this for the fly anglers. Chartreuse/white buck tail deceivers caught the most fish, with steroid rattling gurlers and small bait fish pattern taking the rest.
Around the inlet rocks, a sinking line worked best and in the shallow back bay areas floating and intermediate line did the trick. For the spin anglers smack-it-jr popping plugs worked as they have all summer.
From Sterling Harbor Marina comes the news that keeper sea bass are at the reefs and weakfish are up in the bay near #1 Buoy and around the inlets.
In the back-bays schoolie stripers are being caught on the outgoing tide on clam or top water plugs and in the surf, small bluefish and a few schoolie stripers have been caught.
Offshore, there have been good catches of small yellowfin, dolphin, and wahoo. Before the last NE blow, the canyons were alive with white marlin and some boats had double-digit shots.
Picture-perfect weather and catches that included a rare red drum and a striped bass, was the news from anglers at Ocean City Fishing Club’s 42nd annual Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament on Sept. 19.
First place team was Surf ‘n Land Sportsmen’s Club “B” team, Browns Mills, with 239.75 points; second place Anglesea Surf Anglers’ “B” team 172.75 points, and Anglesea’s “A” team, third, 155.75 points.
Brigantine resident Gary Born, recorded the most points, 71.75 and fishing as an individual, Angelo Ricci, Ocean City, took first place with 24.75 points.
Karen Csenteri, Columbus, took the trophy for largest fish with her 16.24-inch bluefish. Linda Greaves, Petersburg, won for the most fish caught by a woman, with 44.5 points.
Number one winner in youth division was 16-year-old Tina Rodano, Little Egg Harbor, 18.75-inch bluefish.
Mark your calendars for three fishing tournaments in the Wildwoods: 55th Annual Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 3 along the beaches in Wildwood, registration 6-7 a.m., Anglesea Firehouse, Second and New Jersey avenues, North Wildwood. Fish 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., awards ceremony 3 p.m. at the Firehouse. Teams and individuals are welcome, $10, and teams of up to six is $50. Call 856-786-0070.
Oct. 10 and 11, Great Fall Classic Surf Fishing Tournament, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., registration 5:30 a.m., Nesbit Information Center, Rambler Road and Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest. The Saturday team and individual tournament 7a.m.-1:30 p.m., awards 2 p.m., Saturday $50 for teams and $10 for individuals.
Following the awards ceremony, a second individual tournament begins at 5 p.m. and continues overnight, $10, 732-269-8878 or visit www.njbba.org.
Oct. 17, 22nd Annual Anglesea Surf Fishing Tournament, registration 6-7 a.m., Anglesea Firehouse, Second and New Jersey avenues, North Wildwood, fish 7 a.m.-1 p.m., awards 2 p.m., 609-522-9288 or visit www.asaconline.org.
New Jersey Outdoors for Women, Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park, Surf Fishing Clinic, no experience needed, women at least 18 years old, equipment and bait provided, learn basics on rods, reels, line, tackle, knots, bait, fish identification, casting, reading the surf, and caring for your catch, event rain or shine, warm or cold. Register at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/2009/surfclinic_reg.pdf (pdf, 11kb). $15 fee will be refunded at the class but is nonrefundable for those not attending.
Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament Oct. 4, $10, 609-748-4347, or www.njfishandwildlife.com/gsft.htm for details.
All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com. Be sure to send your fish stories to cmiller@cmcherald.com. This column appears first online at capemaycountyherald.com