Friday, March 8, 2013
Marine Fisheries Council makes decision on annual regulations
New Jersey's 2013 recreational summer flounder fishery will open May 18 and run through Sept. 16, the state Marine Fisheries Council decided Thursday. The council chose one option out of several presented, which all complied with management quotas determined by federal fisheries agencies. The size limit will remain at 17.5 inches, the same as in 2012, and anglers will be able to keep five fish per day. The council had the option of extending the season for a longer period into the fall, though anglers would have had to contend with an 18 inch minimum size limit. Overall, New Jersey's recreational summer flounder quota was reduced by 15.2 percent from last season. Richard Herb, acting council president, said at the Thursday meeting that …
Friday, February 15, 2013
State council will determine final regulations for 2013 fishing season
With the 2013 spring and summer fishing season appearing to many who lost their homes and boats in Superstorm Storm as a pipe dream, the annual debate on fishing regulations for the state's most popular recreational species is moving ahead as it normally does during the off season. Next week, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will meet, with a subcommittee expected to approve several regulatory options – one of which the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council will ultimately choose next year's summer flounder regulations. All of the options on the table before the ASMFC take into account an approximately 15 percent cut in quota from the 2012 season, where the minimum size limit fell to 17.5 inches after years at an 18 inch …
Monday, May 14, 2012
Record number of species 'rebuilt,' report says
The summer flounder fishery has been rebuilt, a report out Monday from the federal government said. The fish species, commonly known as fluke, is arguably New Jersey's most important sport fish, and is also one of the state's most important commercial finfish species. Summer flounder joins six other species – none of which are common to New Jersey waters – that were declared rebuilt this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's annual Status of U.S. Fisheries report. A species is considered rebuilt when its stock level meets a federal target that is considered by scientists and policymakers to be considered healthy and self-sustaining. The summer flounder rebuilding effort is important to New Jersey anglers …
Friday, March 2, 2012
NJ Marine Fisheries Council approves smaller minimum, five-fish bag limit
For the first time since 2008, recreational fishermen in New Jersey will be allowed to keep summer flounder that are shorter than 18 inches. In a 5-3 vote Thursday evening, the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved regulations for the 2012 season of a 17.5-inch minimum size, with a limit of five fish per day, and a 147-day season running from May 5 to Sept. 28 at the its meeting at Toms River Town Hall. For an hour, fishermen representing groups from all parts of the state commented on the six options the council was considering. The council's summer flounder and black sea bass committee had recommended regulations that would have maintained the 18-inch minimum size that has been in place since the 2008 season and the eight-fish bag…
Friday, May 20, 2011
Did we really need to begin fluke seasons so early?
Early in the spring, I opined in this space that fisheries managers should not have sacrificed size for season. It was an unpopular view, but I think reality has vindicated my opinion. I get a plethora of fishing reports from charter captains, headboat skippers and tackle shops fed to my inbox on a weekly basis. And so far this fluke season, there seems to be very little fluke fishing going on. Sure, there are some scattered reports of a keeper here or a keeper there, but participation seems low, with most anglers tangling in the spring striped bass run or, on the party boats, still getting into ling and cod fishing. Water temperatures remain too low for consistent fluke fishing in much of our area, and those who have caught keepers have …
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Size limit will remain at 18 inches, season to last through late September
New Jersey anglers will have to contend with another year of an 18-inch minimum size limit for summer flounder – also known as fluke – in 2011, though the length of the open season on the popular species will last significantly longer than last year. The state Marine Fisheries Council voted unanimously at its meeting Thursday afternoon to approve regulations setting an 18-inch size limit and a season which runs May 7 through Sept. 25 on summer flounder. Anglers will be able to keep eight fish per day. In 2010, the regulations included the same 18-inch size limit, however the season ran from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Anglers were able to keep six fish in 2010. The set of regulations approved at the meeting represents …
Ken
1:06 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Gave up Fluke fishing 10 years ago. Waste of time and $$ more ›