More NJ Fluke options

[jackdaniels]

More options approved for fluke
By Al Ristori
February 27, 2010, 6:24PM
http://www.nj.com/shore/blogs/fishin..._for_fluk.html

Surfcasting pro Paul Haertel has been pushing for more of a September season than is provided for in the fluke options previously submitted by the Division of Fish and Wildlife and approved by the ASMFC. He reports additional options (see below) have been approved by the NJ Marine Fisheries Council and the ASMFC. The final regulations will be set at the March 4 Council meeting to be held at 4 p.m. in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Room of Toms River Township Office, 33 Washington Street. Heartel says "This is our chance to voice our opinions on this matter whether you agree with my position or not. Please help pass the word around that these additional options are now a possibility. If you prefer a later start to the season that would allow us to fish later into September, while maintaining an 18” size limit and a 6 fish bag limit, please contact me at anglerpmh@aol.com or (973) 943-8201. If you belong to a club or organization that shares our viewpoint, please let me know. Below are the reasons we support options 3 or 4.

1.) Surf casters have their best opportunity to catch keeper fluke during the fall mullet run and we have not been allowed to do so during the last couple seasons.

2) There is little else to fish for inshore or from the shore during September. By contrast there are plenty of big stripers and blues as well as an occasional large weakfish during May and June.

3.) In recent springs there have been cold waters which are not good for fluke fishing. Because of this the party and charter boats will likely have more customers in the fall.

4.) September is one of the best months to catch a doormat fluke.

5.) While we realize that we have to give up about 3 days of fluking in the spring to have 2 in the fall, we are willing to do this because obviously the fishing is better later in the season.

It was not easy for me to get Options 2, 3 and 4 added to the list but I am very pleased that the NJMFC listened to my suggestions. I have always believed that the majority of fluke fishermen in our state would prefer a later start and a later end to our season while maintaining an 18" size limit. The past couple years, the only options that would have allowed us to fish further into September were those that came with a higher size limit. Now we finally have options that many of us favor on the table. Option 4 is favored by myself as well as the majority of members of the Berkeley Striper Club and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association. "

1. 6 fish @ 18" - May 29 to September 6 - 101 days - 1% savings
2. 6 fish @ 18" - June 12 to September 13 - 93 days - 1% savings
3. 6 fish @ 18" - June 19 to September 17 - 90 days - 1% savings
4. 6 fish @ 18" - June 26 to September 21 - 88 days - 1% savings
5. 6 fish @ 18" - May 21 to August 29 - 101 days - 1% savings
6. 6 fish @ 18" - May 12 to August 22 - 103 days - 1% savings
7. 6 fish @ 18" - May 4 to August 15 - 104 days - 1% savings
8. 4 fish @ 18" - May 23 to September 6 - 107 days - 1% savings
9. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 13 to September 13 - 124 days - 1% savings
10. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 29 to September 26 - 121 days - 1% savings
11. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 21 to September 12 - 115 days - 9% savings
12. 6 fish @ 18.5" - May 29 to September 17 - 112 days - 9% savings

[hubris 1]

YOU KNOW WHAT MADE ME LAUGH. LAST YEAR AFTER THE SEASON WAS CLOSED CAPE MAY STILL HAD A BUNCH OF PEOPLE STILL FISHING FOR FLOUNDER. GO FIGURE, BUT IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS, A MINNOW WITH A BOTTOM RIG.
NOW WHAT WAS REALLY SURPRISING WAS THAT THE MARINE POLICE WERE NO LONGER ON THE WATER CHECKING FOR COMPLIANCE. THEY FIGURED THE SEASON WAS CLOSED THEY COULD GO HOME. THE FISHERMAN STILL FISHED FOR THEM UNTIL AT LEAST THE END OF OCTOBER. GO FIGURE.