New York Metro &
New Jersey

June 6th, 2003

FREEDOM TO FISH???

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Boy, there’s been a lot of talk about these statewide “Freedom to Fish” Acts as of late. These various bills, most notably New Jersey’s, as well as the National Freedom to Fish Act, if passed, require that there be hard science for recreational fishing to be excluded from any area. Sounds logical right? But there are, in fact, many reputable environmental organizations and at least one angling club who oppose the bill. How could anyone possibly oppose something that seems so reasonable?

Editorials attacking the environmental community, regurgitating the versions we saw last season in all the magazines, claim that this behavior is part of a “conspiracy” by “radical environmental elitists” to take away the great American right to fish, comparing the lot of them to PETA. (I wish they would get it straight… PETA is not an environmental organization but an animal rights group that has no bearing in the argument!) I had the displeasure of reading one editorial today that made preposterous claim that the only reason environmental non-profits opposed the bill was to garner more Foundation support. Of course we all have a right to an opinion, however ludicrous it may be. But, every reputable journalist has a moral obligation to communicate the other side of the story. The fact that various editors are not, however, is not surprising. Unfortunately, none seem to be doing so. I’m going to do the best I can in the small space I have here let you in on the reason why most environmental organizations oppose the Freedom to Fish Act.

It’s all about the burden of scientific proof. Marine life is extremely hard to track; therefore, getting flawless data is more or less impossible. Obviously fish are underwater, some spending most of their lives at great depths and cannot be observed in the same way that land dwelling wildlife can. Obtaining data on the health of various stocks is difficult to say the least. Inexact data collecting methods, specifically the practice of polling fishermen (notorious over exaggerators) about their catch is entirely unreliable. In short, most if not all marine science is inexact and its validity can be argued in almost every instance. The commercial fishing industry and their lobbyists, particularly the groundfish fleet in the Northeast, has been doing this successfully for the last 30-years while stocks plummeted, until finally the managers responsible for letting it go on were sued into doing their job by the very same environmental groups who are opposing the Freedom to Fish Act. If the Freedom to Fish Act (FFA) is passed the insurmountable hurdle of getting rock solid data providing that an MPA might indeed be beneficial in a certain area will make the whole concept null and void. The FFA, for all intensive purposes, kills any potential MPA anywhere.

A pod of Dolphin off Breezy Point - Urban Fly Guides

While some might consider this a good thing, I don’t. As I have said in previous columns here and elsewhere, the recreation community needs to keep an open mind about MPA’s as a useful and potentially valuable management tool. The years have proven that the conventional fisheries management system is not working. Most food and sportfish stocks continue to plummet amidst those willing to kill the last fish to make a buck. The human population continues to grow in size while the commercial and recreational fishermen are increasingly becoming better at killing large amounts of fish. Politicians and managers with the complete lack of a political backbone continue to stand by and let it happen. Now is the time to start investigation alternative conservation methods like MPA’s. It’s not the time to close the door on them as many believe the FFA will do.

Of course I’m not opposed to the FFA in theory… Who could be? However, today, because of extremists on the recreational side, bashing environmentalists, and the great environmental community’s blunder of introducing the infamous 20% closure idea, I believe those that wield a considerable amount of power in the angling community will do anything they can to keep any sort of MPA from being implemented, including arguing against and discrediting the best available science.

The truth is that, with the exception of a few "pristine" areas closed to any sort of invasive activity for scientific study, most proposed areas would be type 2 MPAs based on time and area closures and gear restrictions. Anglers need to keep an open mind about MPAs as an effective, and in these times, necessary management tool and not buy into the inflammatory rhetoric, that MPA's are simply an attempt by "radicals" to take away your "freedom" to fish... Those notions appeal to the uneducated masses and might have raised the membership number of some groups, but they have severally decreased the credibility of the recreational fishing community in the eyes of the foundations funding their work and those managers who now look at us as another self-interested user group.

Joe with a nice blue- On the Bite Charters

If and when we see closures of any sort, it's going to be a concerted effort from the non-paranoid and reputable recreational and commercial fishing interests, the environmental community and fisheries managers sitting down together and hammering the logistics... Nobody is going to randomly close large swaths of productive fishing areas tomorrow without a detailed process involving user input. Again, for the most part, we’re going to be looking at catch and release areas, gear restrictions, spawning closures etc... I think this effort to discredit environmental organizations is the worst thing the rec fishing community has ever tried and it's worrisome that so many people are buying into it... Flyfishermen used to be at the forefront of the conservation movement with organizations like Trout Unlimited, CCA etc... Today the focus seems to have moved from what’s best for the fish to access and the right to kill fish whenever and where ever. Disheartening to say the least. A lot of it has to do with nothing more than plain paranoia. The bottom line is that some anglers, for fear of loosing one inch of their fishing grounds, are willing to sacrifice the whole future of the resource by closing the door on MPAs... and that just sucks...

Enough already with that stuff. Let’s get on to the reports:

The East End really turned on this week with some very big fish showing up on the flats. Reportedly they are picky, but they are there nonetheless. The south side got a big push of bass this week and anglers scored well when the weather allowed. In central and western Long Island, both the North and South shore are seeing more striper action, but it’s very dependant on the weather. Jamaica Bay is totally hit or miss. A few good days can be had here and there, but compared to last year it’s been very tough. Some fish beginning to show up on the flats when the sun is out, but that hasn’t happened very often as of late. Over on the Raritan Bay side, flyrodders have been picking up some very nice fish on sinking lines and some big bass have been chasing bait on the surface. The weakfishing in New Jersey has slowed considerably, but there is still some very good bluefishing to be had and the bass fishing isn’t so bad either.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had about enough of this rainy overcast weather. At some point it has to get warm right??? Doesn’t look like it this weekend, but you never know. Regardless, get out there and fish…

And don’t forget to email me your own reports. Tight lines all.

Tight Lines!

John McMurray

New Jersey

Captain Paul Eidman from Reel Therapy checks in with this Northern New Jersey report:

Colorado Fly angler Steve Kittle with a Blue caught aboard Reel Therapy.

Bunker, Bunker and More Bunker>>> I am hoping that the increase in the amount of Adult Bunker in our waters right now is a direct result of the reduction boats being removed from our waters. What this means to us NJ/NY anglers is that the schools of migrating bass, "Chesapeake Cows" will stay right here longer and give us a shot at some big ones on the fly. Speaking of bunker, the buzz is that one of these cows inhaled a whole 15" dead one at a spot 10 minutes from my dock. The 59 pound bass was caught this past weekend. Yes, 59 pounds. Large weakies (11pounds) and blues (10-18 pounds) are at Sandy Hook and the rivers as well. Call to reserve your charter now. Weekend and weekday dates available. Reminder: Reel Therapy offers Kayak fishing too!
Catch em up!
Paul
Capt.Paul Eidman
www.reeltherapy.com
Discover Central NJ's Great Outdoors!
Saltwater Fly Fishing/Light Tackle Charters
Guided Kayak Ecotours
732 922 4077

From central New Jersey, Captain Gene Quigley Checks in with this report:

John,

The weather has really made it hard for the fly fishing this week. Cold, rain and wind every day. Monday the sun actually came out and I was wearing a T-shirt and shorts?? Imagine that in June??

The weakfish have literally disappeared in Barnegat Bay with all of the foul weather as we have not seen hide or hair of one in over a week. The Bluefishing still remains strong, however.

This week Todd Norwood and his father saw great action with 4 to 7 LB blues up in the shallows and Charles Verhoog and his partner Ben had their first fish on the fly in the saltwater with double digit bluefish in the 4 to 7 LB range as well. As you will see from Capt. Jim report the bait guys are bailing big fish - up to 57 lbs!

Captain Jim reports that some really big bass are now present in our
Monmouth County waters. They are not interested however in flies just
yet because of cooler water temperatures in the 52-54 degree ranges
still persisting. Also there is a tremendous amount of bunker around
that has peaked their interest.

The big bass that everyone was waiting for did become a reality as
it hit the scales last Friday. Tony Melo, Long Branch weighed in a 57
pound bass at Scott's Bait and Tackle in Bradley Beach. The bass hit a
large bunker chunk.

Our partner Shell E. Caris had a homerun while wading this week with
our good friends Jim and Alice Ardito. The husband and wife duo teamed
up for four big bass that tipped the scales at 19, 18, 15, 10 pounds.

Thats all for this week,

Capt. Gene Quigley
Shore Catch Guide Service

A nice 21 lb. fish from Urban Fly Guides

All I can say about this week is that it was frustrating. A few fish on the surface, a few fish in that flats and on the bottom I’m marking them on the finder so thick it looks as if I could drop a jig down and snag them. But they don’t seen to be eating well unless the sun is out. Unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be happening so much lately. Jamaica Bay is hit or miss these days. It could be pretty good, but most of the time it’s sub-standard. Did manage to put Shelly Weining on a 19-pounder on Monday down deep, then a 15-pounder today (Thursday) on a popper. Other than that… tough fishing. Those blues are always around to save the day though.

Speaking of bluefish, Reel-Timer Luyen Chow fishing with Captain Ralph Burtis of Island Charters reports big bluefish under the bunker schools in Jamaica Bay and small one under the birds in various spots.

Fished next to Captain Brendan McCarthy from Urban Flyguides and witnessed a client of his fight a 21-pound hog of a bass. Brendan reports off and on fishing in the Bay, but some better action out east.

On the Raritan Bay side Captain Joe Mattioli from On The Bight Charters reports excellent action:

On the Bite Charters

Hi John

There are plenty of Big fish in the Raritan Bay. With all the bunker in the bay these fish are over feed and are very selective in striking at artificials. We have been catching Bass up to 23lbs and Bluefish up to 12lbs using bunker flies. This is a great oppoutuninity to catch a trophy fish on the Fly. Get out there when ever you can.

Capt. Joe Mattioli
On The Bite Charters

Captain Dino Torino from Fin Chaser also reports big fish on that side of the Harbor. He’s been scoring deep, but has also seen some surface action as of late. Dino claims that these larger fish are still feeding on herring.

Western Long Island

Captain Barry Kanavy from Natural Anglers reports spotty action on the South Shore, but when it’s good, it’s good:

It's another soggy day in paradise. Been fishing through the rain, under the rain and in the rain! Cooked another cell phone this week, and the fishing has been spotty. However, I guess the fish have decided they have to eat anyway because late yesterday we hammered them! In the rain! A mix of keeper size Stripers and 4-5 pound blues were taking surface plugs with a vengeance, busting lines and beating up tackle, I love it when that happens! So yesterday we sent some happy anglers home. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but I know one thing, the fish are here!....and it's raining again!
Check you backing you never know when you might need ever last inch.
Captain Barry Kanavy
516-785-7171
www.naturalanglers.com

From the North Shore, Reel-Timer Angelo Peluso checks in with this report:

Hi John,
The bite continues to improve out this way.  Lots and lots of small bass, and this week saw a nice increase in size... with quite a number of pods in the 24 plus-inch range, and the occasional bigger fish. The beach activity is still somewhat of a slow pick, but with "rumors" of a recent substantial sand eel hatch, the wading fly folks should start to see more happening in the suds, especially during the evening hours.  Also, this week saw an increase in the chunking and diamond jig activity.  That trend typically signals better prospects for the coming days and weeks.  Most of my activity this past week has taken place in the back waters of the harbors and off some of the major rock points.  The shad are now around in decent numbers but not yet entrenched like in previous years!  Bluefish are here but seem to be a hit or miss situation...if you are in the "hood" when they pop up....bonanza!  I had an interesting situation this week while in the process of landing a healthy 25 inch fish...following that bass in, was a log of a striper, seemingly intent on ripping the fly from the smaller fish's mouth.  Hurriedly, I landed that bass and cast back out with but a swipe and a miss! Talk about buck fever! My guess..all of 30 pounds!  I had better start carrying some Sedoti Slammers around with me!!! Till next week...tight lines..Angelo  

Angler Bob Giordano reports a good start to the season up in the Huntington area.  Check it out:

Things up in the Huntington area have been pretty steady the last two weeks. I'm catching anywhere from four to a dozen bass per two hour jaunt. Early morning -late afternoon has been the window. Tide doesn't seem to matter much, I've had more luck on the incoming than I can ever remember. This morning took my first seasons keeper at 28+" on a Chartreuse Half & Half which was quicky released. Other than another at 24", all others are very small and eager to play with the fly. Seasons best start up here according to my log. All fish have been either in the Harbor or just outside the inlet. 3'-7' of water. Haven't had to hit the sound just yet. Only one bluefish so far, on my 3yr.olds clam bait yesterday when trying for flatties.

Eastern Long Island

Things are most certainly picking up out east. Check out the report form Captain Josh Gruss from Striper Flats Flyfishing Charters.

John,

As you've probably heard in other reports the fish are indeed on the flats out east. They were out there pretty good last weekend. Big ones too. All that's missing now is some sun. My god! Nothing makes a flats fisherman more depressed than the string of little cloud logos on weather.com that I see every time I log on.

As you know John, my fellow Coastie, since February I've been on active duty with the Coast Guard as part of their Harbor Defense unit in New York City. I've had a great time with the Coast Guard these last few months. Well on June 19th I'm being demobilized back to reserve staus. That means I have more open charter dates available during those choice days in June and beginiing of July.

Tight Lines
-Josh Gruss

Veteran Reel-Time columnist Josh Reibel took advantage of a break in the weather this week and sends in this report:

Hey John. Got out for a few hours last Saturday morning in what window of good weekend weather we’ve had lately. Put the flats skiff in at 3 Mile Harbor about 6:45 am and picked up one short bass and lost one drifting in the harbor. Once the sun was high enough, headed to some flats and shoals around Shelter Island and North Haven. The sun was in and out making for tough spotting conditions, but we got a couple bass in the mid 20s (inches not lbs) poling some beaches and also played with a big school of small blues for a bit. By 11:30 or so, the ominous clouds were arriving, so we headed in. At least a terrible weather forecast turned into a decent morning of fishing.

--JHR

On the South Side, Captain Jim Hull from Light Tackle Challenge reports great striper and bluefish action:

Joe V. with a nice striper - Capt. Jim Hull

Hi John, A good solid bite is on with full spring migration mode in full swing. Three inch whitebait dominates the entire area with birds over blues over bass. Catches of 30 fish per trip are the norm with cookie cutter size bass between 27" and 33". The largest fish this week was 36" but according to my records that should shift to much larger fish within the next few days. John Eldridge had a great day on bass to 33". Jim had over 30 to 36". Paul G. and the mighty "V" clubbed them good with two flyrods bent over at the same time. Alan K. saw 30 come boatside with sinking line the mainstay. You get a couple of fair weather days, then some nasty ones but when you get back out the fish are right there were you left them. Colder water to the northeast will keep the majority of the bass local this June and July. Get that fish onto the reel fast then pump up and reel down. Jim (captainjimhull@aol.com) 631-749-1906

Farther west, Captain Don Kaye from Shinnecock Guiding Service checks in with this report:

Another mostly washout weekend! The old song "Spring Will Be A little Late, This Year," has new meaning on Long Island's East End! However, there were a couple of angling opportunities that popped-up this week. When the wind eased a bit, We enjoyed some fine angling in Shinnecock Bay. Sight fishing the flats produced a few medium sized Stripers and some larger Bass were captured using noisy surface lures in the shallows. Birds were 'working' over feeding Bluefish which resulted in a number of hookups and the deeper channels yielded some larger Bass to sinking lines and slow retrieves. All fish released to fight another day! When does Summer begin? Capt. Don Kaye, Shinnecock Guiding 631-7288175

From both Manhattan and Shinnecock, Salty Flyrodder Joel Filner reports improving action. Check it out:

Fished the Manhattan Cup Friday with Capt. Brendan McCarthy and two
other Salty Flyrodders and a grand time was had by all. It wouldn't
be a fishing day without rain so when the sun was shining no fish
were about. When the squall front came through we were just into
blues working on the surface as the wind began the drag race.. 0 to
40 knots in two casts. We ran to cover, and went back out to the
blues that were still working near the surface after the squall. We
all caught fish, up to 6 pound blues, but just couldn't get the fly
under the blues for the hoped for stripers. A great day for all, and
a good cause as well. Saturday went out at Shinnecock with a high
moon tide, limiting my wading on the outgoing and my casting as well
to get to the "holes" that normally hold fish. Managed a very nice
blue fish, lost two more who cut through the mono, and a sea robin.
The urge to fish the cinder worm hatch was washed out buy the
lightning and thunder and heavy winds and rain on Saturday night.
Water temperature at Shinnecock was a balmy 56, and hopefully will
warm some more in time for the Salty Conclave in Greenport this
weekend.

joel