New York Metro &
New Jersey

August 15th, 2003

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED ON PROPOSED EEZ REOPENING!

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Two weeks ago, I stressed in the fishwire that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in response to recommendations from those boneheads over at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, is considering removing the moratorium on the harvest of striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after a 13-year closure.  The EEZ is that area from 3-nautical miles (what is considered state waters) out to 200-nautical miles (federal waters).  The purpose of closing the EEZ 13-years ago was to protect strong year classes entering the population and to promote rebuilding of an overfished population.  Federal waters are, in fact, the only place stripers are free of somewhat overwhelming recreational and commercial pressure.  Opening the EEZ will only increase the total catch by making enforcement complicated and in a sense impossible, encouraging more poaching and illegal fishing. 

Brad Burns of Stripers Forever, an organization focused on getting gamefish for striped bass, states "Make no mistake about it.  The push to reopen the EEZ is totally the doing of coastal commercial interests, especially Massachusetts.  Recreational anglers everywhere have consistently opposed this measure. To some extent the EEZ acts as a buffer, a protected area, where large stripers are at least somewhat protected from greedy commercial interests.  Since it is the furthering of commercial striped bass fishing interests that is behind this move, Stripers Forever is opposed to it.   Reopening the EEZ to harvest will just furthermore commercialize a fishery that should belong to the public.  By any measure of sensible public policy commercial fishing for stripers should be immediately eliminated, not proliferated!"

I strongly agree with Brad.  Opening the EEZ to any pressure is a bad move and will only make things more complicated, inevitably increasing harvest and reducing the potential for large fish and a quality fishery.  NMFS is now soliciting comments relative to the EEZ proposed reopening.  Now is your chance to get your two cents in and Stripers Forever has already done all the legwork for you.  Below is a form letter prepared by Stripers Forever.  All you have to do is cut and paste it to a word document, sign and send.  IT MUST BE RECEIVED AT NMFS BY 8/20, SO THERE IS LITTLE TIME, PLEASE DO IT NOW!  They will not accept e-mails.  You can fax your letter; the fax number is 301-713-0596.  Brad's recommendation is to do both to make sure they get your comments.

Want to give yourself some motivation.  Check out this audio link:  http://www.basspond.com/audio/am6_sep_2002/mike_abdow.m3u  
It's testimony from a Massachusetts commercial fisherman during the Amendment 6 hearings bragging about and his illegal fishing.  He claims he doesn't want the EEZ reopened because then he will have competition with his already illegal activities!   

LETTER DRAFT:

  August 15, 2003

Anne Lange, Chief
State-Federal Fisheries Division
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East West Highway, Room 13317
Silver Spring, MD 20910
 
Dear Ms. Lange

As a personal use striped bass fisherman, I oppose any movement to open the EEZ to the taking of striped bass.

Despite some highly questionable population estimates from the ASMFC, most informed anglers feel strongly that near-shore striped bass recreational fishing has declined significantly in quality over the last few years as commercial quotas have increased.  The effects of the most recent round of commercial increases will not be know for some time into the future.  What is known is that more than 3,000,000 recreational anglers, as well as a huge guiding and tackle industry along the East Coast, depend on the continued availability of good striped bass fishing.  We do not need more pressure on the resource.

The ASMFC petition to open the EEZ was spearheaded by representatives of a few coastal states to make it easier for their commercial fishermen to catch more striped bass.  In fact this measure passed the ASMFC as the result of a 6 to 5 vote, hardly a mandate.  Every measure of public comment has consistently been against reopening the EEZ.  That increase in commercial harvest comes at the expense of the recreational fishing public who are being deprived of a public resource. 

In addition to the conservation implications of reopening the EEZ, there have been reports that a large percentage of Chesapeake Bay striped bass carry a dangerous micro bacterial infection. Anglers in the New England states have reported catching diseased  fish, so it is inevitable that stripers in the EEZ will also be infected. Further, it will be impossible to police an opening of the EEZ, and stripers landed in the EEZ will pose problems for gamefish states like ME, NH, CT, DC, NJ, PA, and SC which do not allow the sale of fish caught in their waters.

The EEZ has been off limits to all fishing for stripers, and serves as a refuge for striped bass. The fish need this refuge. There is no valid, scientific reason to reopen the EEZ. NMFS is constantly attacked as anti recreational fishing, and for having a poor conservation ethic.  Here is a chance for NMFS to do the right thing. DO NOT REOPEN THE EEZ TO STRIPED BASS FISHING!!!

Sincerely;

Your Name and address

Now, let's get on with the reports:

While most are experiencing the doldrums, the East End really turned on this week as thousands of minuscule Atlantic menhaden flooded the mid and northern areas of the East bringing in plenty of keeper sized striped bass and 6 to 8-pound blues (check out Capt Brendan McCarthy's report.)  Mid Island, the bait is really thick also and there have been a few confirmed sightings and catches of North Shore Bonito.  Hopefully, it's a matter days before we start seeing them on the South Shore.  The New York Metro continues to harbor hordes of bluefish with the larger pods of fish being farther west and some bass have been under the blues in Raritan Bay.  Zero reports from Jersey this week, but word is that inshore it's totally summer doldrums, while offshore has been inaccessible due to wind and sees.  However, we're supposed to get a break in the weather this weekend and it looks flat calm on both Saturday and Sunday morning.  Now if they could just get the power back on! 

Go fish!:

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

Tight Lines!

John McMurray

New Jersey

Unfortunately, no reports from the Garden State this week and anecdotal evidence suggests that it's pretty darn slow.  

Till next week…  See ya on the water… 

Still just bluefish in Jamaica Bay.  Most continue to be on the small side, but if you can find the rare bunker school, you can be sure there are some bigger fish underneath.  Still no signs of those Bonito, but hopefully they will be here any day. 

Over on the Raritan Bay side Captain Joe Mattioli from On The Bight Charters checks in with this report:

Hi John
 
There are  plenty of Bluefish blitzing schools of bait fish, these fish are 4-8lbs and are taking top water poppers and clousers. If you are patient enough to fish the bottom there are bass mixed in up to 9lbs. We are seeing a build up of small baitfish; the Albies should be here very soon!
I have dates available.
 
Capt. Joe Mattioli
On The Bite Charters

Western Long Island

From the North Shore Reel-Timer Angelo Peluso checks in with another great report…  Check it out:

Hi John,
Took a very long boat ride northeast today.  Quite a haul from my home-port of Port Jefferson.   Tons and tons of bait offshore, everywhere I looked...mostly anchovies, butterfish and small spearing. Not too many fish on the bait but I did manage to find some active feeding schools of nice-sized bluefish and even some small bass.  The bluefish were keyed in on the butterfish and the only pattern that produced for me was an epoxy pattern...one of my albie flies.  Bluefish may be one of the easiest fish to catch but they do...on occasion...get a bit selective. They wouldn't look at a deceiver, ate the epoxy, refused a flatwing...and then ate a one ounce piece of metal...go figure.  The bass on the other hand rarely refuse a deceiver.  I am hoping these masses of bait hang around long enough to greet the albies.  If this quantity of baits stays put, it should be a terrific fall.  Further out in the Sound, the Middle Grounds are now hosting larger bluefish and bass.  You have to hit those conditions right to enjoy that fishing on flies. Most of that game is bait, trolling and jigging. Until next week...enjoy the water and be safe.
Angelo

Thanks for the report Angelo. 

Eastern Long Island

The East End of the Island is just beginning to see the makings of another strong fall run.  Check out Brendan McCarthy from Urban Fly Guys' report:

Have had ridiculous fishing from Orient to Watch Hill.  All Bass and lots of keepers.  Had Peter Kaminsky out with his wife and pal Josh for some great deep water Bass sight-fishing. You could watch the schools at the surface cruising and eating. Really awesome! Has been going strong everyday. Took a while to figure out the right fly, but am happy to be out there now. Paul Dixon said it is the best he has ever seen at this time of year. He aint kiddin. Thanks and talk to you soon
Brendan McCarthy
917-847-9576

Also a few unconfirmed reports of briefly schooling bonito out there, but as far as I know, no one is really bagging any. 

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

The unwelcome, unstable weather pattern continued this past week. Stiff winds from the South, clouds, humidity and rain showers resulted in tough fishing conditions. However, the barrier beach helped to break the effects of the wind on Shinnecock Bay, resulting in a few decent angling opportunities. The constant clouds and wind kept the sight fishing to a minimum. Drifting over 'fishy' areas, using both jigs and flies on sinking lines brought a number of fish to the boat including some medium sized Striped Bass, 3 decent sized Fluke (2 on flies) and a few Bluefish, all quickly released, using barbless hooks. Hoping that the coming week brings more normal Summer conditions, Capt. Don Kaye, Shinnecock Guiding 631-7288175

Salty Flyrodder Joe Filner has been fishing the Shinnecock area from Shore and checks in with this report:

Fishing this weekend became a test of time and tide, as the weather
varied, the winds went from zero to sixty (well maybe not 60), the
ocean was really angry, and fish were very selective. Friday morning
was a little gusty on the incoming and after first light nothing
happened for me at least.  In the afternoon small stripers on the end of the outgoing became the  fish of choice, and they were tough to get to eat. There were birds
working the curve of the inlet on small bait with only two of us, one
fly, one spin lure, able to get a hook up. Saturday morning was a
perfect fishing morning. No wind, sprinkles of rain, overcast skies
but picky fish. All the fishing was inside as the surf was an angry
swell that one could hear well back on the flats. Moving from place
to place ten fish reported, by the regular crew, more on the outgoing
again with the bait and fish moving at leisure out of the 66 degree
bay. Sunday was a bit sunnier, the moon disappearing, and fished from
530 through 830 with only one striperette for my labors. The south
westerly wind kept the surf very high keeping the surfboarders happy
on the ocean side, and the land made for sheltered fishing on the
bay. Followed a school of birds for a mile up and back, watching them
work small bait that looked like bay anchovy with a dark stripe on
its back, but no fish working the bait. Spanish Mackerel reported on
the bay, and rumors of bonito but no real sightings. We seem to be
hitting the doldrums with out the excitement. Last year at this time
albies were here in spots and by this weekend around for the fall.
Wait til last year?