Tag: Drowning Herferd inlet N. wildwood

Good summer flounder bite continues

Today's flounder like all that I catch,  were caught in the sounds of Cape May co..

Today’s flounder, like all that I catch, were caught in the sounds of Cape May co..

One of the advantages of living in close proximity  to the areas you fish,  is it allows you more time to fish.   I had not planned on fishing today, but . As I pulled back on the throttle,  I found clear blue water, one of the conditions I was seeking.  However, the water  temperature was a little chilly.  I checked  seven spots before I found good conditions . The spots that were holding fish were two degrees warmer than the others. The water temperature was 63-68 degrees. Fishing pressure ranged from heavy to non existent depending on the spot. Total time spent 2 hours 35 minutes.

Kensdock Report: Striper bite

 

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The striper bite remains slow at best.  Fishermen with extensive local knowledge, coupled with over the top effort, are catching a few stripers,  including a few 50 pounders.  The large migratory school  stripers should  show up at some point. The lure of choice here in Cape May County this fall,  is called  patience…  I have been able to find a few resident stripers in the back waters, how long they hold remains to be seen.

Kensdock Report: NJ Speckled sea-trout (Specs)

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One day in November 2008 I was on my way home in my skiff . The sky was blue with big, cumulus clouds and the water looked tropical. The air was cool with the smell of fall. I had left my dock at 2:00 AM to hunt Speckled sea trout. Armed with over four generations of local fishing knowledge and a passion for fishing that has cost me, well a few friends. I know it was a tall order to catch a speck for Elise’s special recipe. To catch a speckled trout in Cape May County, NJ a multitude of conditions most converge. Water temperature, wind direction, wind speed , water clarity , salinity level and noise level, i.e., wave runners, cigarette boats, and other fisherman. This morning I felt good . All conditions were falling in line. I just need one thing, luck! When I had finished tying the boat up. I was staring at two speckled trout . I had a great fishing trip and Elise had her fresh speckled trout. I also returned with something more! I had a realization, If I had choice to live any where on this planet , I would pick my home right here in Cape May county NJ. I love it here Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall!

Kensdock Report: MID WINTER UPDATE

Mid winter update: The 2012 NJ flounder season will be liberalized via a longer season, shorter keeper size or a combination of the two. The reason, NJ fishermen underfished the 2011 flounder quota. I am not surprised at all, considering NJ only had about 250,000 saltwater anglers register in 2011, 2011 was the first year for the saltwater fishermen registry in NJ. In the past NOAA would estimate the amount of NJ saltwater fishermen, 1.35 million NJ fishermen at one point, an astronomical over estimation. No need to consult a math professor to reason that New Jersey is owed a substantial increase in the 2012 flounder season quota.

Striper fishermen can no longer use the American eel for bait. It has been added to the federal list of threatened species, along with a federal fine for taking or injuring an American eel (Pending).  Herring a favorite bait among Striper fishermen and early season flounder fishermen will no longer be available for bait, as herring seasons have been closed in all waters.

The NJ 2011 deer season harvest was up in the north, down in central and in the south. In Princeton Twp hunters killed 171 deer, this however was not enough. Princeton  hired White Buffalo Inc.  to cull deer on some  private and county property that is to densely populated for hunting. Some of the deer are literally feeding under swing sets in back yards.  .223 cal. rifles with suppressors will be used from elevated stands.  Some net and bolt will be used in areas where firearms cannot be used. Remember, at one time Princeton Twp. NJ was one of the only towns in the nation that did not” allow deer hunting.  After realizing the ramifications of an out of control deer herd, they now proactively seek to keep the deer herd within the carrying capacity of the habitat.

Deer hunters in NJ are permitted 6 antlered deer, a combination of all seasons fall archery, muzzle loader, shot gun and winter bow. However, only 4 deer hunters out of about 100,000 harvested all 6 antlered deer.

NewJerseyfish and wildlife’s pheasant farm was damaged during Hurricane Irene, thousands of pheasants flew the coup during the storm. NJ fish and wildlife reached out toMarylandfor pheasants {at a cost} for their obligation to pheasant stamp holders.   F&W is seeking a FEMA grant that will help pay for the pheasants and rebuilding the farm.

NJ Deer Check stations are now a thing of the past; hunters must now report their deer via phone or internet. You will receive a number that must be attached to the deer through all processing.

11-23-09 Kensdock report

 
The weather  will not give us a break this fall. North East wind and rain! Just about the time the water clears the wind turns North east and it start to rain. When the condition have been at lest fair, keeper stripers have been caught from Avalon and Stone harbor beaches. Just a few caught on poppers the rest on live bunker or eels. Clam has also taken some nice stripers. The water temperature is 57 degrees. The speckled trout season was a bust as only three specs have been caught to date.What happened to the specs?? Remember the 2002 weakfish season when every sharp weakfish angler in Cape May co. NJ was asking the same question about the weakfish?  I believe the mystery of why the weakfish did not show up for the 2002 season has been solved:
 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION WEAKFISH MANAGEMENT BOARD – August 19, 2009
 
DR. DANIEL:
 
 
The last example I’ll give you is the Valentine’s Day Fishery back in 2002, I believe, when a group of about four or five sink net boats went about 30 miles offshore in 360 feet of water, fishing a large-mesh, six-inch gill net for large bluefish, and they all rounded off their boats with tens of thousands of pounds of eight- to fifteen-pound gray trout; very unexpected, unavoidable.

Those fish were all dead …”

MR. O’REILLY

Weakfish hearing

back bayI attended the ASMFC weakfish hearing in Toms River last night. The asmfc offered 4 options.You can view them all at the asmfc site. The only option that offers a real chance for the weakfish to recover is option 4 Harvest moratorium. The commercial fishermen’s rep was fine with  option 4 moratorium. Mostly all the recreational fishermen that voiced their own opinion demanded option 4. I do not know how many members the RFA has I do know they lost at lest eight members last night. They did not support a moratorium! If you would like give the weakfish a real chance of recovery  support option 4 harvest moratorium. You have until October 31 to make a comment.  Send your comments nmeserve@asmfc.org