Tog closed out with a strong performance offering anglers a final weekend of wreck fishing. The inshore reefs were very productive. Read more about the reefs below. (New Reef Site) With tog/blackfish season now closed, the focus is strictly striped bass and bluefish. Both providing anglers fun with the latter stealing the spot light. Now is a great time to get out and take a kid fishing. Lots of anglers returning home from their winter hiatus are raving on the world class light tackle fishing we have in the local waters. Anglers are catching from the beach, bay and boat.

The Inlet is the epicenter of the bluefish bite however the back bay and surf are great too. Yesterday throughout the day there was a good pick. Early in the day, then again later afternoon into sunset was good. Some anglers complained about weeds.

Here’s a recent photo of Denis Betev who got into the blues in the inlet.

South Philly Fred and Fish Finder Frank Foley hit the Inlet yesterday afternoon and caught off the rocks. The yellow eyes were chewing bucktails.

More reports from the surf… Here’s two recent reports from shop regulars, both on bunker, mid-island surf. Andy got two blues then a 34″ bass. Eric got a 28″ bass on his first cast then a couple blues. Matt Krezel got this bluefish on the beach…

Drum fishing is good if you can get through the bluefish.

Crabbing has been very good in the bay.

Simply Bassing has begun! Register now before the classy bass roll into the surf. When signing up ask to joint our shop side-bet (Fisherman’s Headquarters Spring Striper Side-Bet, additional $10). Sorry this spring we are not having the catch and release tournament. There was little to no participation. Only a couple of fish were entered last spring. Not one fish was entered this past fall. Seems there was no interest. Those looking to fish a catch and release tournament should take part in the Berkley Striper Club’s 14th Annual Striped Bass Catch & Release Spring Tournament May 25 – May 29th  The Tournament is to benefit the Berkley Striper Club Fisheries Defense Fund. Enter at www.BerkeleyStriperClub.org
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Inshore structure is hard to come by in this neck of the woods. If it wasn’t for the NJ Artificial Reef Program we wouldn’t have much. These sites offer some of our area’s best bottom fishing for fluke, sea bass and tog among many other species. Can you imagine what fishing life would be like along the NJ coast without the reef sites?

New Reef Site

Since 1984, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries has been involved in an intensive program of artificial reef construction and biological monitoring. The purpose is to create a network of artificial reefs in the ocean waters along the New Jersey coast to provide a hard substrate for fish, shellfish and crustaceans, fishing grounds for anglers, and underwater structures for scuba divers.

Artificial reefs are constructed by intentionally placing dense materials, such as old ships and barges, concrete and steel demolition debris and dredge rock on the sea floor within designated reef sites. At present, the division holds permits for 15 artificial reef sites encompassing a total of 25 square miles of sea floor. The reefs are strategically located along the coast so that 1 site is within easy boat range of 12 New Jersey ocean inlets.
Reefs are now being used extensively by anglers and divers who catch sea bass, blackfish, porgy and lobster.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2017

DEP SECURES ARMY CORPS PERMITS TO BUILD NEW ARTIFICIAL REEFS
SITES TO BE DEVELOPED OFF OCEAN COUNTY’S MANASQUAN INLET AND IN DELAWARE BAY

(17/P36) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection’s artificial reef program has secured a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to proceed with construction of two new reefs for recreational fishing, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

A reef to be built off Ocean County’s Manasquan Inlet is part of a compromise the Christie Administration reached between recreational anglers and commercial fishermen over reef access that resulted in restored federal funding for the program. A second, previously planned reef to be developed in Delaware Bay will expand fishing opportunities in that region.
“We are very excited to move forward with this expansion of the state’s network of artificial reefs, which create important habitat for many types of marine life,” Commissioner Martin said. “By enhancing recreational fishing and diving opportunities, these reefs help boost the state’s tourism economy. We are particularly pleased with the opportunity to develop Delaware Bay’s first reef site, which will help bolster tourism in that region.”

Recreational fishing generates $1.5 billion in economic benefits in New Jersey each year, and directly employs some 20,000 people.

Artificial reefs are constructed from a variety of materials, such as rocks, concrete, steel, old ships and barges. These materials provide surfaces for a wide diversity of marine organisms to grow, ultimately providing food and habitat for many species of fish and shellfish.

The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife resumed deployments of old vessels and other materials last year following a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore funding for the program. This decision was the result of a compromise the DEP reached that allows commercial interests to have continued access to portions of two reefs sites in state waters and calls for the construction of a new reef for recreational fishing in state waters. State waters extend three miles from the shoreline.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had suspended the funding due to concerns that commercial fishing was intruding on and hampering recreational fishing on artificial reefs, which are funded by excise taxes on recreational fishing gear and boat fuel.

The Army Corps permit allows the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to develop the two new reefs over the next 10 years as materials suitable for deployment become available.

The Manasquan Inlet Reef site is located 1.7 nautical miles southeast of the inlet, which is just north of Ocean County’s Point Pleasant Beach. When fully developed, it will occupy nearly one square mile of sea floor in water from 67 feet to 74 feet deep.

The Delaware Bay Reef site is located 9.2 nautical miles southwest of the mouth of Cumberland County’s Maurice River and will occupy a little more than a square mile of bay floor, at depths ranging from 23 feet to 35 feet.

The Army Corps permit also reauthorized continued operation and development of 15 artificial reef sites – 13 in federal waters and two in state waters.

DEP studies have shown that these materials are colonized quickly with organisms such as algae, barnacles, mussels, sea stars, blue crabs, and sea fans that attract smaller fish which, in turn, attract black sea bass, tautog, summer flounder, scup, lobster and other sought-after species.

For more information on New Jersey’s Artificial Reef Program

Visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/artreef.htm

Finally the weather has cleared and fishing is back to where it was.  The water clarity and salinity was upside down but is settling. The bluefish bite turned back on and the yellow eyes are thick in the bay. The inlet has been on the slow side but we expect it to tee off soon. If heading up to the rocks we suggest bringing crabs to target blackfish if the blues aren’t cracking.

Crabbing is good! Got two positive reports.

Perch Fishing – The white perch fishing season got off to a early start and has been going strong ever since. It has been on fire in the tidal creeks and lagoons. The bite seems to only get better. Both the size and the quality have been great. Perfect timing for this weekend’s tournament, the 10th Annual Spring Perch Derby hosted by the Red Man Lodge #61. With fishing good, there will be a good turn out. There’s still time, if you want to join in on the fun. The Captain’s Meeting is tonight April 28th at 7:30pm at the Red Man Lodge. Location: 143 W. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087. The fishing tournament day will be Saturday April 29, 2017.

Striped Bass Fishing – Small fat stripers are in the surf and bay. Clam, small bunker chunks as well as lures are producing. Erik Oerther sent us in a photo of a small bass he caught on the mid-island bayside. First word of the local arrival of a bigger class of bass… Yesterday a customer stop in the shop reported his buddy caught a 20+ pound striped bass off of the surf on bait. Usually around this time the boat anglers trolling start picking good size fish. Now’s a good time to start working the 30-60′ along the beaches.

The 16th Annual Long Beach Island Surf Bass Tournament “Simply Bassing” kicks off tomorrow April 29th. Register now! For more details… www.LBIFT.com

Preparations for this Fall’s Surf Fishing Classic have begun. It will be the best one yet!

Here is an excerpt from The SandPaper’s “The Fish Story” by Jay Mann…

CLASSIC GROWTH: The Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic Committee is thinking bigger and better this year … and I’m lovin’ it.

This fall, the famed surfcasting event will be extended to nine weeks, broken into three, three-week segments. But no entry fee increase.

Dates have been set: Oct. 7 through Dec. 10.

This timeframe boost widens the window of weigh-in opportunity, meaning more time/chances to win a daily, weekly, segment or grand prize.

Weigh-in times are based on open hours of participating shops. More on those inner details as the big event approaches.

As noted, I’m highly in favor of this extension. It’s ideal to maintain fun competitive surf fishing for as much of fall time as possible – before the big winter chill sets in.

This nine-week format also adds an extra weekend for those who can only fish days starting with “S.” To be sure, weekenders are a major part of the contest. In fact, when the Classic began in 1954, as the Striped Bass Derby, it was almost exclusively for visitors. I kid you not. In fact, locals couldn’t win the grand prizes. Outsiders only.

Per usual, the 2017 Classic will be all but weighed down with cash and prizes. Anyone can win something at any time. It’s an equal-opportunity affair.

Special effort is going into the 2017 Classic T-shirt, likely in Kelly green, admittedly a good bit Eagles-like. There might even be some special T-shirt prizes and giveaways. Stay tuned for that angle.

I’m bringing up this fall event now because there will be a push to get entrants to register early – and, hopefully, often, i.e. with spouses, kids, buddies … the whole gang shebang.

Capt Mark from Bluerunner Sportfishing and Waterproof Fishing Intel Service stopped by yesterday to pick up two bags of clam. While here he shared this photo of a 17 pounder from Monday’s trip.

“Monday was a beautiful day. We fished six different wrecks over 25 miles of ocean. We had to work for them. Got our biggest blackfish to date, a 17 pounder. We backed it up with a 10 and a 9 pounder. Some nice sea bass, cod and pollock too. Last chance to get out is now. Go get it!” ~ Capt Mark Blue Runner Sportfishing

The NJ Tautog season (currently 4 fish at 15″) closes at the end of this month, April 30th. It doesn’t reopen until July 17th. Then it will be one fish at 15″.

The NJ Black Sea Bass season opens on May 26th with anglers allowed 10 fish at 12.5″

With a sad and heavy heart we share news on the passing of Thomas Deacon.

Tom was a great man, a US Navy Veteran and a passionate outdoorsman. Tom will be deeply missed but not forgotten.

I remember growing up in the shop, Tom was always around. Helping out, sharing intel and offering homemade food. He was a great cook with a love for spice. His chili was off the charts! Tom was a great friend to me and all of the crew at the shop. For many years living only two blocks away, he spent a lot of time with us. We could have been called Tom’s second home.

Shop alumni Jimmy Sahlender was a very close friend of Tom. Jimmy said, “Tom was short, on the chubby side and had a mustache. When he dressed up he wore a cowboy hat. When wetsuiting the Bar plugging he’d hook up and yell “frackin’ stripes” in Yosemite Sam’s voice. Good Times… Tom Deacon will be forever missed.”

Tom was one hell of a fisherman, an expert freshwater and saltwater angler. He was dialed in with big fish on lures everywhere he went. Thanks Tom for teaching me the finer points of fishing with lures, jigs and softbaits! His application specific rigging and fishing techniques were mastered on the fresh water tournament bass fishing circuit and utilized to out fish in saltwater.

Working for many years at the Forked River Power Plant, Tom was a master of The Creek. One of its pioneers, he fished it long before it became the booming popular fishing spot it is today. Back in the good old days, his special access gave him the ability to fish behind the gates. The stories he shared about fishing the restricted area were epic!

I’ll always remember Tom’s diesel truck with the dressed up custom Yosemite Sam artwork mud flaps and hood guard. Every time I see the Looney Tunes character I’m reminded of Tom. I’ve yet to meet a fisherman better than Tom that can compete with that mustache. I doubt I ever will.

My condolences to all his friends and family.

As per the Press Of Atlantic City’s Obituaries, Tom’s services will be announced at a later date.

On February 2, 2017, the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board, part of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), approved changes to this coming year’s summer flounder quota for New Jersey.
It mandated a one-inch size increase to New Jersey’s current recreational summer flounder minimum size limit (raising it from 18-inches to 19-inches) and decreased the possession limit from 5 fish to 3 fish.  New Jersey is appealing this change.

In reaching its decision the Board did not determine or consider the potential economic impact of the new quota on the summer flounder industry in New Jersey.  This survey is designed to help estimate the extent of the economic impact of these recently approved summer flounder management regulations on recreational fishing.  Your responses about recent trends in harvest size, abundance, and throwback mortality will help inform future decisions that promote conservation while minimizing adverse economic impacts.

We strongly urge you to complete the survey as thoroughly and accurately as possible within the next 5 days.  The survey should only take about 15 minutes to complete.  Your participation in this survey is voluntary and your identity throughout remains anonymous.  Nowhere is your name or email requested or captured.  Your cooperation, however, is much-needed to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the results.  Please know that your answers will be kept confidential.

The link to the survey is:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FNP5L3C

Thank you,

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

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LBI Fishing Report April 23, 2017

I fished the Inlet late morning (9am to 11-ish). Bluefish wise it was quiet. On the tog side, anglers were picking. The tog are there and some keepers are in the mix.

We got word that there was a quick short lived bluefish bite in the Inlet at the bottom of the tide.

Store staffer Max fished the bay this morning and found the blues.

Jeff also was on the bay and found them biting.

Some guys off the surf today found fish. Store staffer Rob mentioned he found action on the front beach on bait.

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Sent In: Saturday, April 22, 2017 4:26 PM
Subject: Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association

As the weather cooperates. the fishing action in the Beach Haven area continues to improve. The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are ready to take advantage of some of this action. For the past couple of weeks the bay waters have been full of small striped bass. While keeper bas are still difficult to come by, these smaller fish are great fun on light action gear. In the past week large bluefish have been racing around the bay waters and inlet and providing a real challenge for anglers targeting them or as a bycatch. A recent addition is the arrival of table sized black drumfish.

Captain Gary Dugan of “Irish Jig Sportfishing” had a group out recently who managed 14 stripers up to 26-inches. Another trip did not have the action of the first trip, but Captain Gary’s crew managed two keeper bass of 28-inches.

Captain Matt Curtis of “Get Reel Sportfishing” reports his 24 and 26 foot center consoles are in the water and ready for some linesiders and drum to hit the deck. Captain Matt has installed new underwater LED lights on his 37-foot Sportfish which will be in the water very soon for some offshore adventures.

Captain Carl Sheppard reports the “Star Fish” is in the water with newly overhauled engines. The boat passed its annual US Coast Guard exam with flying colors and as an inspected vessel can carry up to 19 passengers. Captain Carl is accepting charters for the bass in the bay and the offshore wreck fishing.

Like the other captains, Captain Fran Verdi has been spending time scouting some of his local hot spots with the “Francesca Marie” in anticipation of some upcoming trips.

Captain Bob Gerkens reports the “Hot Tuna” is still fishing down in Morehead City, NC and will be making the trip north to Beach Haven in a few weeks. He plans on fishing all of the local canyons in early June.

Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net. ~ Jim Hutchinson Sr.