New York Metro &
New Jersey

December 5th, 2003

Calling it a Year...

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Despite the many reports of fish in the area, for all intensive purposes, I’m done for the year.  Yet another week of abnormally stiff wind from the west and a nor’easter in store for this weekend…  A pretty clear indication that the fat lady is getting ready…  When the daytime high drops below 40 and the deck of your boat feels like an ice rink in the morning, it’s just not the same…  Call me a wimp, but things aren’t quite as fun when your fingers go num every 5-minutes or when you have to sit in the car with the heater on full blast until you can feel your toes again…   Yea, it’s over for me, and judging by this fall’s weather looks like we’re in for a long hard winter. 

Looking back we certainly had our share of good days and even good weeks this year, but the weather, overall was awful and I’d have to say that previous years were considerably more productive.  We had more wind and rain this year than I can ever remember and the bad fishing conditions seemed to favor the weekends as well.  Through cancellations, a lot of the guides really took a beating this year.  And those working stiffs who were restricted to fishing weekends had an unfair number of them taken away because of just un-doable conditions.  What gives man!?!?

While there can be no definitive answer, many point to an unmistakable warming of the global climate.  One would think that “global warming” would create “warmer” conditions, but not necessarily so.  Every minor climate change has far reaching effects such as current upwelling, precipitation etc…  What we could be seeing is a pattern of global extremes as the result of the warming.  When it’s cold, man is it cold, when it’s hot, man is it hot, when it rains, man does it rain, when the wind blows, man does it blow!!! Of course this armchair scientists isn’t going to go into particulars, but it sure wouldn’t hurt to have some decision-makers that actually seemed concerned about this thing scientists call global warming.  It’s a little scary that we might be actually seeing some of its effects today.  And it’s really serious when it starts to affect our fishing!!!

My feeling is that this year was sub-standard despite the weather.  Although maybe I just got spoiled during the last few years.  I’d love to hear a few sentences from the readers on their experiences.  Sure we had some nice fish this year, but the bigger stripers were less abundant, at least where I was.  When they did show they weren’t around very long.  The bait was a bit on the slender side as well.  The bunker were a shadow of what they were in previous years. 

This year also wasn’t a bright one for fisheries management.  Despite the overwhelming public sentiment, the ASMFC increased the commercial quota by 43% with Amendment 6 to the Striped Bass Management Plan while there was a negligible reduction in the target mortality.  Furthermore, they recommend that the National Marine Fisheries Service lift the moratorium on federal waters (the EEZ), which will undoubtedly increase striped bass mortality if it does happen.  The preliminary stock assessment for the year 2003 was just released last week and it shows that we are already fishing over the established Amendment 6 target and I fear that the fishing mortality will only increase yearly as states like MA go from a one fish to two fish bag limit.  Jersey beat back a saltwater license without even a cursory examination its benefits to the fish and fishing.  Environmental groups and fisheries advocacy groups continued to bicker over “Freedom to Fish Legislation” and MPA’s, as well as the fluke stock assessments and artificial reefs.  Unfortunately these two groups, which should be natural allies, continue to grow farther apart because of vocal extremists on both sides. 

Through it all I’ve learned to separate myself from this stuff and just enjoy the simple act of fishing.  There isn’t much else in the world that can take me away from everything and provide such satisfaction.  I think about literally nothing else when I am performing the act of hunting fish.   And by using fly gear it only creates a narrower focus.  A more precise enjoyment of the act.  It is through this wonderful site that I am able to share an intense enthusiasm of the sport.  And judging by the limited feedback that I get, you folks are as nutty about flyfishing as I am. 

So in short, thanks a bunch for letting me into your computers.  It’s been another fun year with you folks and I appreciate the opportunity.  Looking forward to next season!  I’m headed to Costa Rica in a few weeks in search of big snook and fun waves, then off to the Carolinas for some winter stripers.  Will be sure to post some reports and photos on the forum so keep an eye out.

Now on to the final report:

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 a report of some great late season action:

Hi John-
But wait..this cant be the last report, the bass are still going strong!!
Today's charter had a few dozen stripers to 12 pounds on large deceivers out
off Sandy Hook. Just wanted to thank everybody that got to fish aboard Reel Therapy this
season and special thanks for Reel-Time for introducing us to some great new
anglers. This winter be sure to visit and say hi at the shows. The PFLGA booth at the
Somerset flyfishing show, the NJ Paddlesport show and at the Raritan Boat
show in Raritan Center. If you or your company are looking for an end of the year tax deduction, please consider supporting the NY/NJ Baykeeper.These folks are fighting hard
on behalf of the waters around the NY/NJ bight. They fight against pollution
and to insure proper development of the land bordering the entire watershed.
Your gift can help to protect the local spawning grounds and keep them
productive for generations to come.Baykeeper needs your support! Contact
www.nynjbaykeeper.org  for more info.
Peace..
Paul

Capt. Paul Eidman
www.reeltherapy.com
Discover Central NJ's Great Outdoors!
Saltwater Fly Fishing/Light Tackle Charters

At Shorecatch Guide Service, Gene Quigley and Jim Freda echo the same sentiment - there's still plenty of great fishing to be had in the Garden State!

It is red hot here -- birds and bass everywhere, basically all day long.
Fishing should stay this way right through Christmas!
Hope everyone has a great winter!

The Crew From Shore Catch Guide Service

 

Plenty of fish under birds from Breezy to the Hook and some pods working right up to the Verrizano bridge as well, but you have to be willing to freeze your rear end off for them.  Mostly schoolies, but some keepers have been in the mix.  The bait is mostly peanut bunker but some rain bait as well.  Still no real sightings of herring but we can expect to see them soon and hopefully they’ll come during a better weather pattern.  Not much to report from Jamaica Bay, but that’s because no one has really being fishing it.  Raritan Bay seems to be fishing well, but most of the real action is in Ambrose Channel and on the outside. 

Captain Joe Mattioli from On The Bight Charters checks in with this end of the year report:

Hi John
I'm Packing it in for the season, the fishing slowed down to a pick of small Bass and tough weather conditions to contend with. Thanks for your hard work in reporting fishing activity in the NY Bight.
 I look forward to next season, until then Happy Holiday's to all!
Here is photo of our last big fish of the season
 
Capt. Joe Mattioli
On The Bite Charters
www.flyfishnyc.com

Western Long Island

Captain Barry Kanavy from Natural Anglers checks in with a wonderful reflection on this years fishing:

John

Yesterdays snow flurries and freezing 45 knot gusts, were my rude awakening that Old Man Winter is not far behind. Its frustrating knowing there's big bass and blue fins playing out beyond the crashing tidal waves. As I gaze seaward, wind whipped spray crystallizes and falls back to the sea as snow. I can only reflect on last years fishing and this incredible resource we are gifted with. The power, majesty and beauty of these creatures that we passionately pursue is heart felt. As I store my gear for winter I am left only to imagine the places these fish might go, following ancient trails of their brethren before them.

I wish them well; as I do all my brothers of the Sea.
Happy Holidays.
Captain Barry Kanavy

From the North Shore Reel-Timer Angelo Peluso pens us a synopsis of the year from both boat and beach:

Hi John,
Here is a brief recap of our season out here in the Central part of Long Island Sound.  Things were slow to start in the Spring, as was the situation in many parts of the Northeast.  My log book for 2003 shows a more than three week lag in consistent bass action compared to the past five seasons.  We really started to hit the stride out here around the week of May 19 and it was a solid pick of bass and bluefish throughout the balance of the month and all of June.   As is typical for the early part of the season, the back bays and harbors produced the most consistent action since the water warms there first and gets the diverse aquatic life off to an early start.  A number of these locations produced upwards of 30 bass days.  While mostly small schoolies, there were a number of big fish mixed in. The three best bass taken on flies (actually all on the same fly) happened during this time frame when there were also numerous hickory shad in the area....fish of 16 1/2, 19 1/2 and 25 pounds hit the deck and then swam away for me to find next year! As far as the shad, my records indicate fewer fish this year than last.  Almost all of the bigger fish were taken out in the Sound, with a few notable exceptions in backwater shallows. Large schools of bluefish were marauding local beaches, harbors and shoals throughout the very late spring and early summer.  For those so inclined, this region of the Sound also held strong numbers of fluke.  At times they were so think that chartreuse Clousers fished on Teeny lines became a very effective way to catch them. 

Along about the middle of August, the Sarda Sarda showed up.  These Atlantic Bonito hung around the beaches for a while and then dispersed.  But they did return...with a passion when the huge masses of bait re-appeared!  While not indicative future runs in the coming years, these fish remained active for more than seven weeks feeding primarily on large shools of large spearing.   Many of these fish were big, as far as bonito go...fish in the neighborhood of 11 pounds!  This unusual showing for such an extended period of time may not happen again for a while but it sure was a lot of fun while it lasted! I am just praying that the convergence of all the conducive conditions occurs again next year!  While bonito dominated the Fall pelagic scene, we did have a few days of intense False Albie action as well.  The fish that we did get shots at were mostly in the 9 to 11 pound range...great flyrod fish!

So as I sit here finishing up this recap of the season I can't help but think of a line from an old Sinatra song..."And now the end is near and so I face the final curtain...."  That about sums up the fishing tune I am singing these days.  And to top it all off, the often-referenced and venerable Rotund One has belted out her last song of the year as well.  My last few beach outing have come up fishless and the only positive reports, though dwindling, involve Tautog.  But there still are some fish on the South Shore so it may be time to call in a few markers for one last hurrah!  In retrospect, it has been one heck of a terrific season.  No complaints from this corner of the room.  So, until next year...Health and prosperity and big fish to all!  And if some big bass should still make their way into my zone, I will be sure to great them with a hardy holiday welcome...Regards...Angelo

Eastern Long Island

Plenty of reports of gannets and herring out at Montauk, but the problem is that with the wind no one had been able to get to them when they were there. Captain Jim Hull reported that they were thicker than he had ever seen them. Today there were a few boats that ventured out but by then it was too late. No birds and no fish.

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

If this horrible weather pattern would abate for a couple of weeks, the angling opportunities would be nonstop. We did have a couple of relatively calm days with moderate temps. this week and the Stripers were still along the ocean beaches chasing massive schools of 'Bunker' and a variety of other baitfish. The birds would 'work' over schools of feeding Bass, then calmed for a while, and soon a repeat of the 'frenzy.' Captured and released lots of fish which came to both light tackle lures and flies. The cold weather due to set in this week may keep us ashore. We miss Spring! Capt. Don Kaye, Shinnecock Guiding, 631-7288175

Salty Flyrodder Joel Filner sends us a compressive rundown of Shinnecock from the shore… Check it out:

The year at Shinnecock was all in all a great year. The spring with little bait and cold water and rain and wind brought more keepers than I experienced for a number of years. 9 from end of April to early June. More weakfish on the fly, in fact lost more weaks than
I actually caught the last three years in the spring. And blues, upto 28 inches, wading in Heddy Creek, forcing me to buy a small boga to help disengage from the teeth without retiring to the shore to dismantle. The mid summer was strange with the notable absence of the usual bait, and stripers harder and harder to find without a boat or a kayak. Albies, who started brunching in Shinnecock at the first week of August in 2002, were sparse and then in a month later with the rejuvenated bait supply early September. Mixed in sizes upto 10 lbs, down to 1.5 lbs in the same pod, fun none the less. The fall which just ended for me was marked by weather, good sized fish, one of the largest blitz conditions seen in years and beautiful fish when the wind was castable. This years weather patterns with the unusually high winds marking the days, (especially the weekends), gave creativity a chance and made us fish areas that were wind directed, not the usual spots. This coupled with the late arrival of the bait and more importantly much larger schools of bait for most of September through November kept the fish in to the shore. Now to the winter of our tying content, waiting for next year.

That’s all for this year… See ya in 2004…