Boston
Metropolitan
Region

July 9th, 2004

The Case Against Licenses

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Last week our NY Fishwire Correspondent John McMurray came out in favor of a saltwater license for New York. I've always respected John's viewpoint and usually agree with him, but in this case, I think a license, at least for Massachusetts, would be a bad thing.

My first problem is that these licenses are usually put forward under the banner of more money for enforcement and habit protection. At least in Mass, I'd be very concerned that these dollars would end up getting thrown back into the general fund, where our fine legislators could feel free to squander it at will. If the use of the money were mandated to be used only for issues related to the DMF and enforcement, I might look a little differently at the issue.

Secondly, I think licensing is restrictive. There are simply too many people out there who fish once or twice a year, and the requirement of a license would keep many of them from going. Paul Diodati at the Division of Marine Fisheries has stated on many occassions that the fishery needs to be managed so that those casual anglers are able to go out and keep a striper on that trip once a year (that's paraphased, not quoted), and I understand and support that goal. Our saltwater fishery must be inclusive, not exclusive.

Saltwater Licenses would reflect a large chunk of change for fisheries management in any state that instituted it. But I think you dance with the devil when you invite further restrictions into the sport.

Interesting Bait

Soundking posted on the RT Forum the other day that he suspected the stripers were keying in on baby flounder. That started off a very interesting discussion in which many others noted that they have seen the fish doing the same of late. It's an interesting thread and well worth reading.

Also on the bait front, Shaun Ruge is reporting some large bunker in Boston Harbor. It's been a while since we've seen any numbers of bunker around, so let's keep our fingers crossed. Speaking of which, think about it...when was the last time you saw adult bunker (pogies, menhaden) in any numbers? It's been years since I remember seeing them.

Don't forget to send me your own reports, and until next week...

Tight Lines!

Mark Cahill

Boston Harbor

Capt. Wayne Frieden at Reel Dream Charters reports:

July 8, 2004: I had to replace my engine and was back in the water prior to July 4 but didn't fish the holiday. I had the pleasure of taking Eliot Berger for a morning of light tackly spin fishing on July 6. Again, the fishing was on the slow side but we found some small fish in Hingham Bay and a nice pod of bass along the eastern and southern shore of Long I. Although Eliot only managed a handful of fish today, he did catch the largest fish he'd ever caught on a half oz bucktail jig. The bass gave him a great fight and weight @ 23# measuring 38" from tip to tail.


July 7, 2004: I took Chuck Marshall and his dad out for some fly and light tackle fishing. We found spotty action around the Long one and Rainsford and probably should have fished the structure around the islands instead of trying to catch the fish that were surfacing sporadically while pushing up herring. It was a beautiful day so we ran south and found a bunch of schoolies in the rocks around Cohasset and N. Scituate.

On the Forums, BigJoeFish reports:

Boston Habor 7/7 - surface action

It was good to see some surface action out by the Logan flats on both sides of that long peer. The fish were spread out but were striking at the surface occasionally and the birds were working. Had to leave my fly in the water for a while to get the cruisers to track it. The fish ranged from just under legal to 10-15 pounds - at least the ones I saw.

The water was too murky for me to see bait. I caught mine on a fly that looked like a silverside - anybody see what bait is in the water?

Shaun Ruge had this:

Not sure what was by the pier, but the harbors and coves surrounding that area have been loaded with Bunker. Larger than usual too, I guess thats good to see. The last couple years by this time its all 1" or smaller bunker. This year its 2 to 3" already.

Usually the two landing piers hold tons of silversides by now. Haven't seen many though. Then again I haven't spent much time out on the wood.

South Shore

No reports this week.  Word I do have is that the fishing in Plymouth Harbor is still holding up, with decent morning action.  Powder Point, Saquish, Rocky Point in Manomet all producing, as is the North River, and the rocks on the ocean facing beaches.

Send in the reports...

North Shore

Derek at First Light Anglers reports:

The Merrimack River

Not a lot of reports from the Merrimack this week, which makes me wonder if many of the hard cores decided to by pass the antics that surely abounded over the fourth.  I have word the mouth is producing well by boat.