By Al Ristori

April 15, 2010, 7:55PM

Striped bass fishing has been in mid-spring form since last weekend, far ahead of a normal season and a vast improvement over last year at this time. Clamming has been effective at Romer Shoals and down the beach, but most surprising has been the excellent jigging from Sandy Hook down to Long Branch. A good proportion of the bass are keepers, and two-fish limits have been common.

Though there were a couple of seasons a few years ago when I was releasing big bass on bunkers off Great Kills with Tony Arcabascio in late April, before the New York season opened. That hasn’t happened since and I’ve been telling my charter customers to wait until May for fishing as good as we actually have right now.

Dave Lilly of Hazlet made an experimental trip Tuesday on his center console out of Angler’s Marine in Sea Bright in order to determine if ESCA lights will improve lure performance. He rigged one of his Stretch plugs with an ESCA at the head, and trolled it alongside another plug without the water-activated light.

The vast majority of hits came on the ESCA-equipped Stretch as Al Tumolo of Piscataway and Joe White from Dunellen joined Lilly in catching about 40 bass up to 36 inches. They limited at the Highlands Bridge before moving up to Sandy Hook for bigger bass. Lilly even caught one by casting a Rapala.

Ironically, the 28-inch minimum hasn’t been much of a problem at the very time when the possibility of being able to keep a 24-inch striper is on the horizon. Readers of my daily blog are already aware that Monday’s Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Striped Bass Advisory Panel conference call produced a majority in favor of the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife/Marine Fisheries Council proposal for changing the limit to one bass of 24 inches or greater, and a second of 32 inches or greater. Ex-State Senator Lou Bassano of Union and I are the New Jersey representatives on that panel.

The Technical Committee approved that state proposal as being the conservation equivalent of the present two at a 28-inch minimum. There’s been a lot of interest among the public in allowing a smaller striper that could greatly increase the odds of shore fishermen being able to catch a keeper, while also providing a better eating-size fish that is less likely to carry any contaminants.

 Some party boat skippers have also been hoping for a 24-incher during the fall jigging fishery that normally produces lots of stripers, but relatively few more than 28 inches. Other captains oppose the change as the second keeper at a minimum of 32 inches would often be hard to come by.

If the ASMFC approves the proposal, the public will have time to comment at a Marine Fisheries Council meeting before the Legislature takes up the question of changing the law. Though it could be instituted this year, 2011 is more likely. The Jersey Coast Anglers Assocation hasn’t taken a position as yet on the change that’s been pushed by some of their member clubs.

The Hudson River is the location for Saturday’s Hudson River Fisherman’s Association $100,000 Striped Bass Derby that will be run out of New York’s Haverstraw Marina, where an in-water boat show will also be in progress. For information visit boatingonthehudson.com.

The Stafford Township Fire Department will present a Fishing
Flea Market on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. An 8-foot table costs
$35. For information call (732) 330-5674 or visit hiflier.com.
 
The RFA N.J. Chapter will hold their third annual Save the
Summer Flounder Fishery Fund dinner from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday night at
Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant. The fundraising event will
help in the effort to pass the Magnuson Act flexibility bills, HR 1584
and S1255. Call (732) 223-5511 for the $75 tickets.

TOP CATCHES

While striper fishing is way ahead of time, inshore blackfishing has been slow to develop. Capt. Tommy Joseph of Runaway at Belmar notes that ocean surface temperatures are fine, but bottom temperatures remain cold. Last week he had 13 cod aboard from a drop in only 57 feet. Joseph had to bail out Monday’s trip by putting his anglers on stripers that hit jigs north of the Highlands Bridge.

Capt. Bobby Bogan of the Gambler from Point Pleasant has been finding good blackfishing on wrecks to the south in 100 to 120 feet. Everyone aboard had limits Monday and Tuesday. Tony Rygiel of Harrison topped his Tuesday limit with a 14-pound, 6-ounce tog plus a cod. Pete Santino from Old Bridge had a 10-pound tautog. The Gambler is fishing further offshore for cod through Sunday, but returns to blackfishing from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday. A tilefish trip has been scheduled for May 17.

Capt. Stan Zagleski reports he had no two-fish flounder limits three trips in a row, and didn’t lose a worm on Monday so he’s switching his Elaine B. from Highlands to blackfish as of Saturday. The winter flounder situation is also terrible on Long Island, where most reports indicate heavy chumming is required to even catch a couple in traditionally prime waters such as Moriches. We can only hope there was a successful spawn, and that the commercial moratorium will allow the remaining flounder to regroup offshore this summer for next year’s spawning. It may take years of strict regulations for any significant recovery of the species.

At Brielle, Capt. Howard Bogan Jr. has canceled his weekend cod trip in favor of running 7:30 a.m. striper trips both Saturday and Sunday.

At Atlantic Highlands, Capt. Scotty Hilliard called in this morning to report many anglers on his Prowler had already boated stripers over 28 inches, as jigging remained excellent under diving gannets off the northern Shore. The Prowler starts night fishing for bass from 3:30 to 9:30 Friday night through Sunday. Hilliard noted that the boat limited on bass Tuesday, when Peter Near of Lebanon won the pool with a 23-pounder.

Capt. Ron Santee is delighted with the bass action on his Fishermen from Romer Shoals to Long Branch, especially after the worst spring fishing in years he had experienced last year. He’s been limiting daily with stripers up to 25 pounds.

Capt. Rob Semkewyc has also been in on the hot jigging with his Sea Hunter, and reported 20 keepers during his first drift Tuesday.

Capt. Hal Hagaman has switched his Sea Tiger II to half-day striper fishing. He had limit catches Tuesday afternoon.

The Sea Hawk from Perth Amboy has stuck with clamming down the beach that has resulted in many limits. Lou Pruppi of Nazareth, Pa. boated a 25-pounder this week.

Tank Matraxia and Marty Gras from Lyndhurst fished with Capt. Lou Grazioso aboard Striper Mania from Keyport on Wednesday to catch 10 stripers by trolling Stretch plugs and by clamming in the back of the bay. One was an 18-pounder.

Gene Graman of Middletown and Harold Smith trolled Stretch plugs Monday with Carlos Rebalo of Keyport to catch 17 stripers in the back of the bay, keeping four up to 32 inches. Graman reported that friends snagged bunkers off Sandy Hook on Wednesday to not only catch stripers, but also a 13-pound weakfish.

Allen Riley of South Plainfield said beautiful weather in the Sandy Hook surf hasn’t done the fishing any good, with only a couple of short stripers released along the beaches recently.

By Al Ristori

April 12, 2010, 7:50PM

The N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife has proposed a change in striped bass regulations from the two at a minimum of 28 inches that applies all along the coast to a conservation equivalency of one at 24 inches or geater plus another of 32 inches or more. The Technical committee has approved that change which is calculated to actually improve the spawning stock biomass (SSB). The concept was accepted today during a conference call of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Striped Bass Advisory Panel. Ex-state Senator Lou Bassano and I are the N.J. members of that panel, and we both supported the proposal. Some other members had reservations, but the vote ended in favor by 8 to 2.

The next step will be consideration at the ASMFC Spring Meeting. If approved there, the Division will have to consider setting up punlic hearings as this proposal was developed by the Marine Fisheries Council in conjunction with the state’s marine scientists — and the general public hasn’t had much of a chance to weigh in the change. Furthermore, changes in striped bass regulations must be approved by the state legislature. The change could come this year, though I suspect 2011 is more likely.

Allen Riley of South Plainfield had the only report today. He said the weather was too nice at Sandy Hook, as fishing is rarely good under those circumstances. A couple of Riley’s friends reported having caught bass of 34 and 29 inches on bait Sunday afternoon, but this morning was dead. Surprisingly, the water temperature had dropped off considerably to 48.9 degrees.

Riley noted that Divison law enforcement personal were checking anglers over the weekend for their Registry cards. Those without them got a warning – and info on how to register.

The Jamaica from Brielle will sail to 50-to-90-mile wrecks for cod and pollock at 11:30 p.m. Friday for Saturday fishing. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations. Striped bass fishing begins Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.    

Capt.Ken Gallup reports his last trip on Big Kid from Brielle Yacht Club produced ling, cod, and blackfish up to a 12.8-pounder.

Hoffman’s Marina in Brielle reports it’s only been a pick of flounder in the river, and anglers fishing wrecks over the weekend just picked at blackfish.

The Coast Guard Aux., Flotilla 7-12, has a safe boating class leading to the required boating certificate from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ocean Club in Manahawkin. Call Joe Lupa at 609 597-4878 or Joe Giunti at 609 597-1295,

By Al Ristori

April 02, 2010, 7:43PM

The RFA is pushing for an additional $2.3 million in funding for the Division of Fish and Wildlife, which has been decimated by retirements of biologists who haven’t been replaced — even as management plan requirements build up. One way to develop that funding may be a dedicated conservation lottery proposed by two Cape May Democrats. Assembly Concurrant Resolution ACR119) by Nelson Albano, and SCR93 by Senator Jeff VanDrew would change the Constitution to provide for such a lottery.

AFTCO rep Lou Truppi had a great offshore wreck trip Thursday with Capt. Jeff Gutman on the Voyager from Point Pleasant. A single wreck produced about a dozen pollock plus cod from 10 to 18 pounds. Truppi won the pool with a 30-pound pollock. Best of all there were few spiny dogfish to interfere with the fishing.

Bruce Vitale of Piscataway and Mike Obuch from Bridgewater fished Friday aboard the Paramount from Brielle, but only bagged six ling. A few cod were caught, but fishing was slow despite several moves by Capt. Francis Bogan.

Tank Matraxia of Lyndhurst fished for stripers aboard Capt. Lou Grazioso’s Striper Mania out of Keyport during Friday morning as five bass (including a keeper) were hooked right away — before the wind changed and killed the clam bite.

Capt. Tom Buban reported a better bite of winter flounder up to 18 1/2 inches Friday morning in Shrewsbury River from his Atlantic Star out of Atlantic Highlands. Only the morning trip will be run on Easter Sunday.

Nick Honachefsky of Normandy Beach flounder fished Thursday morning in Manasquan River to catch six flatties (of which half made the required 12  inches) in two hours. He fished Friday on Revenge with Dave Miglore of Trinidad Yachts as they hooked seven on sandworms. .

Tautog fishing broke open Friday at the Brigantine Bridge. Absecon Bay Sportsman’s Center reports blacks up to 6 pounds on both clams and green crabs. Though the water temperature was only 49 degrees, tog turned on as the water finally cleared. Some blacks are also being hooked from the ocean jetties.

Allen Riley of South Plainfield found the surf at Sandy Hook to be fishable Friday morning, but he had no hits on worms.

By Bridget Wentworth/The Star-Ledger

March 18, 2010, 7:30PM

The Saltwater Fishing Expo opens Friday (noon to 8 p.m.) and continues through Sunday at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. This is the only strictly saltwater show in the area, and features most national tackle manufacturers plus travel exhibits and free seminars.

Some local tackle manufacturers will also be on hand, including Tony Arcabascio with his E-Z Out-Rodders and Maja custom bunker spoons and Capt. Frank Crescitelli with his recently developed line of Guide’s Choice plugs.

My slide presentation of Big Bunkers = Big Bass at 11:30 a.m. Saturday will detail bunker techniques from both boats and shore. Radio ads for the Expo are referring to me as “The Godfather of New Jersey saltwater fishing.” I’m not sure if that refers to my considerable experience — or just to my considerable age.

Saturday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the Expo concludes Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults, and $3 for children, except those 11 and under who are admitted free with a paying adult. For a complete seminar schedule and other information visit www.sportshows.com.

Thursday’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Outdoor Writer’s Workshop at Assunpink WMA produced some good news from director Dave Chanda relative to the prospective shark moratorium.

Chanda said they’ve asked the federal Department of Commerce to delay implementation of a moratorium until the new administration can work through the requirements of state regulations in order to get into compliance and permit a shark season in time for the tournaments.

Check my blog at nj.com/shore/blogs/fishing for more information about the this and other developments at the Workshop plus the Expo and current fishing reports.

With the weather finally straightening out, anglers should enjoy a really fishable weekend. Cod are in the picture on offshore wrecks, and striped bass have been reported by shore fishermen in both Raritan and Barnegat bays. Winter flounder should be stirring out of the mud prior to spawning, but that’s presently a catch-and-release fishery before the brief season opens Tuesday and runs through May 21.

Flounder have been very scarce the last couple of years but limits may be fairly common this spring as only two per man are allowed at the same 12-inch minimum as last year. Flounder stocks are in such bad shape (about 9 percent of the target figure) that a moratorium was proposed. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) instead virtually shut down the directed recreational fishery, merely leaving a by-catch allocation. The directed summer commercial fishery for winter flounder in offshore waters is also closed. Should the fishery rebound in the future it will be possible to expand it without too much paperwork.

Shark River may be the best bet for early flounder by boaters chumming off the tennis courts, and for shore fishermen from the easily-accessible bulkheads. Shrewsbury River has been a traditional early season hot spot for flounder, especially off The Quay, but only during the brief periods around slack water. Further south, boaters anchor where the Point Pleasant Canal empties into Barnegat Bay. The back of Raritan Bay should open up during the next couple of weeks.  In all cases it’s important to chum heavily and be patient.

The Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County held their annual Past Presidents Dinner on Tuesday at Mountainside Inn in Clifton. That very active club was founded in 1936 and it’s first president was the late outdoor writer Bill Backus. John Toth stepped down as president this year after serving seven terms, (including the last four), and was succeeded by Chuck Santoro. JCAA President Mark Taylor provided the good news during his speech that the 16th annual JCAA Fluke Tournament , set for June 12, will be bringing back Jersey City as one of the ports with a full range of prizes from Berkley and Penn.

Tom Siciliano won two individual species prizes in last year’s club tournament.

His huge 19 1/2-pound bluefish was caught while jigging a Krocodile from Suzie Girl out of Belmar on Shrewsbury Rocks, and he also took the flounder award at 21/8 pounds. Bob Cameron had the big fish with a 41 1/2-pound striped bass, and added the winning 10 1/2-pound blackfish. Norman Meckler topped the fluke category with a 9 1/8-pounder, and John Toth led in sea bass at 3 5/16 pounds. Dennis Niedadka ran away with the points championship at 12,164  followed by Cameron with 1318, and Meckler at 844.

Capt. Rich Swisstack of Cliffwood got the Raritan Bay Shoreline striper fishery off to an early start again just before last weekend’s storm., but the first weigh-in at The Tackle Box in Hazlet was made by that shop’s Anthony Altobelli of Hazlet. He clammed a 11 1/2-pounder on clams at Union Beach, where Swisstack had bass of 14 and 17 pounds on sandworms at night in rain and wind. T

The Jamaica from Brielle is codfishing on a special trip to the NE wrecks Friday, but will be turning around this evening for another such trip to 50-to-90-mile wrecks at 11:30 p.m. A Sunday 4 a.m. departure to 20-to-50-mile wrecks is also scheduled. Call (732) 528-5014 to reserve spots on these sailings.

Capt. Bobby Bogan will be sailing open for cod at 7 a.m. with his Gambler from Point Pleasant.
 
The Cape May Fishing Flea Market will be held on March 28 at Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette Street. Eight-foot spaces are available for $40. Contact Dave DeGennaro at (732) 330-5674.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has closed the Hudson River and Marine District to both commercial and recreational shad fishing due to the poor state of the stocks.

In the New York portion of Delaware River there will be no commercial shad fishing, while the recreational limit will be dropped from six to three.