The Fishing Line: Weather or Not

This winter has been brutal. Fishing reports are non-existent. So while we are hunkered down by the fireplace, let’s keep tabs on what’s happening behind the scenes including some interesting seminars which will really get your gears going.
Captains Adam Crouthamel and Tom Daffin of Fishin’ Fever Sport Fishing have developed a regional seminar series including 6 hour seminar events at three locations across South Jersey: Cedar Creek Sporting Clays, Millville, March 15, Island Marine Center, Ocean View, March 22, and Pier 47, Wildwood, March 29. Details at http://www.sjfishingseminars.com/. Pier 47 and Island Marine Center will feature group instruction on a variety of fisheries including fluke, wreck fishing, stripers, and offshore. Cedar Creek will detail similar topics, but hold a smaller number of people and be more “hands on,” personal instruction.
Captain Dan Schafer, Insomniac Guide Service, will be a presenter at Off the Hook Bait & Tackle, Cape May, March 22, 1 p.m. Captain Dan will be covering fishing the shallows behind the barrier islands of Southern New Jersey, stripers, flounder, redfish, weakfish, speckled trout, and sheepshead. Tickets $30; contact the shop to reserve a seat.
Several items scheduled for the Marine Council’s February meeting have been cancelled or rescheduled. Rescheduling information will be posted as it becomes available.
BoatUS Foundation’s Kids Afloat Program is offering kid/teen-sized, vest-style life jackets for just $5 each to non-profit summer camps, schools, or local non-profit organizations providing on the water programs for kids. Supplies are limited and groups need to apply online at www.BoatUS.org/Kids-Afloat by Feb. 28. The Foundation will then choose those applications that best match program guidelines and post them to their website and Facebook page for public voting in the spring. Those with the most votes will have the opportunity to purchase the deeply discounted life jackets. The life jackets are Type-II and Type-III vests that normally retail for $30 each. Applicants may request up to a total of 50 life jackets in infant, child, youth and teen sizes. www.BoatUS.org/Kids-Afloat
The Jersey Shore Beach N Boat Fishing Tournament is planning its first Mini Tournament, a segment within the annual Jersey Shore Beach N Boat Fishing Tournament, June 13-15, in Wildwood. Bigger prizes and fun for the entire family. Stay tuned for more information. (Supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.)
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has posted the 2014 Freshwater Fishing Digest on the Division’s website in PDF format. The print version is at license agents. To view the Digest, go to http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/digfsh14.htm
Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament will move from October to May 18, Island Beach State Park. For more information including “Early Incentive Registration” visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2014/gsft14.htm
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its next freshwater fisheries public forum on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, 10 a.m. Topics will include an update of the Furunculosis disease outbreak at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and results from 2013 field sampling. Visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2014/fshforumsouth14.htm
There’s nothing definite yet on summer flounder regs but I am hearing some disturbing news about bunker. One report mentions that the commercial allocation for NJ was met on Feb. 12 which means Menhaden harvesting is now closed. Limits of this important bait fish could have a serious impact. Let me know what you are hearing and I’ll keep checking for details.
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Keep them coming.