New York Metro &
New Jersey

August 6th, 2004

On Recreational Fishing Data

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Ever wonder where these guys who make the fisheries management decisions get their numbers from?  I sure do, as often times, especially in the case of fluke, they seem way out of whack with what I (and others) see on the water.  Below is a very brief explanation. 

While catch info on commercial fisheries has long been collected, data on recreational fishing was not really gathered in a systematic manner or on a continuing basis until 1979 when the Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey (MRFSS) was created to gage the effect the growing number of anglers were having on the stocks.  MRFSS data is collected by two independent, but complementary, surveys: a telephone survey of households in coastal counties, and dockside interviews, or “intercept” surveys conducted by trained interviewers stationed at fishing access sites such as boat ramps, marinas or fishing piers.   The telephone survey is used to collect data on recreational fishing effort (number of trips), while the “dock-side” surveys are used to make estimates on the actual catch (species identity, number, and both weights and lengths of fish caught). Data from the two independent surveys are combined to produce estimates of fishing effort, catch, and participation.

So, from the dockside interviews they generate catch per trip data. The phone interview   gives them “number of trips” data.  You might be asking how they know who to call.  The answer is that they don’t.  They just try and call coastal areas and then make an estimate on the of traveling anglers.  In fact there seems to be an awful lot of estimations going on here…  Have any of you guys ever been called?  Have any of you guys seen or heard about a NMFS rep performing a dockside survey in your area?  I sure haven’t.  

The MRFSS is a poll based on a very limited sampling, unlike the actual count they have in the commercial fishery.   As with any poll there is error associated with the estimate.  One never really knows if it’s accurate or not.  Depending on the sample size it can be very precise, meaning the estimates do not vary much.  CCA ASMFC coordinator Dick Braim explains it like this: it’s “like a rifle shooting at a bull’s-eye, you can be a foot low and a foot to the left but have a 1/2" group at 100 yards, very precise but not very accurate.  Alternatively you can have your bullets group in a circle around the bullsye such that the group is 6" at 100 yards - not very precise but pretty accurate.”

The accuracy of this data is a big problem as we saw with the fluke issue this year.  Despite the bad weather, the decrease in tackle sales, the decrease in marine fuel sales, the decrease in charter and head boat trips etc. in 2003, the MRFSS data said that there was a significant increase in fluke landings compared to 2001 and 2001 and that NY was overfishing fluke.  By all other counts this appears to be impossible…  In a last ditch effort to save the head boat industry, NY almost went out of compliance with the Atlantic States Fishery Management Commission, deciding not to do so only at the last minute.  Thank God, as it would have wreaked havoc on the whole Atlantic States management system. 

Anyway, the bottom line is that the MRFSS program was designed to provide an estimate of the coast-wide recreational fishery catch over a year, not for state by state quota monitoring.  MRFSS is very good at what it was designed to do, but gets more and more variable the more you break down the estimates by state. 

Now, I’m going to harp on something that I seem to be touching on a lot of lately (I’ve been doing so for a reason).  With a recreational fishing license we don’t have to rely so much on estimates.  A “Shot in the dark” is a good way to describe the current system.  With a saltwater license in place, there will be a documented number of anglers, thereby a reliable way to determine effort and catch.  With out a license, managers don’t have complete data.  As we’ve seen with fluke it can result in overly restrictive measures, or much worse, it can result in continued overfishing. In either case, anglers are the big losers. 

Something to think about…  Now let’s get on to the reports. 

The summer doldrums are beginning to break as reports of increased activity were abundant this week.  Off the coast of New Jersey, the mid-shore lumps have been holding lots of school bluefin.  In fact, many are describing it as the best bluewater year they’ve seen in recent memory.  Bunker and large bluefish have come into the New York Bight with a vengeance.  Find the bunker in Jamaica Bay and it’s likely that you’ll find big hungry blues willing to take a fly.  Over in Raritan Bay there have been plenty of cocktail blues both on the surface, and underneath there have been good numbers of weakfish.  Outside there have been increasing numbers of bay anchovies and Spanish mackerel have been making sporadic showings.  I’ve seen a few bonito jump here and there, but there have been no real numbers to target yet.  In Western Long Island, bonito are just beginning to show and on the North Shore and fly anglers are scoring sporadically.  Big bluefish have inundated the South Shore.  In east Hampton there have been some bonito around as well.  Lots of bait in this area and plenty of schoolie bass and bluefish.  Expect it to get very interesting soon.  On the South Side there have been scattered reports of football bluefin inshore, but nothing solid.  Inshore some large bass are still being taken along the rocks. 

Weekend weather looks to be more on the cool side and the wind looks good…  The albie run is drawing near and I wouldn’t be surprised if the bonito show up in good numbers this weekend.  So get out there and fish!

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

Tight Lines!

John McMurray

New Jersey

The crew from Shore Catch Guide Service report a stellar tuna bite when the weather permits them to get out:

Yet another week of bad weather offshore have kept us in three days out one day. The days out have been very consistent however with 30 - 40 LB Bluefin now making their way into the inshore area here is Jersey, as well as the trillions of 10 to 20 pound Bluefin that have been here for over a month now. In addition to the Tuna, we are seeing a good amount of eight to twenty pound Dorado (dolphin) in around the lobster pots. These Dolphin are responding to flies well, however they need to be "lit up" first with a sprinkling of live peanut bunker or fresh spearing. I had out Dave Kusel and his partner Andy over the weekend and we found breaking Bluefin tuna from eighteen to twenty-five miles out. These fish were chasing squid on the surface making it easy for a quick cast and hook up. Final tally for the morning was seven for eight Bluefin between twenty-five and thirty pounds.
 
We will be hitting it hard this week now that ALEX has passed. Think TUNA!

Big bluefish were in Jamaica Bay in good numbers this week.  There seems to be a few monsters around just about every school of bunker we encountered.  Even with 20-pound wire we were still getting bitten off.  Some Spanish mackerel showing on the outside but not with any consistency.  I did sight some bonito this week while surfing in Long Beach but they weren’t in targetable numbers.  The water is warm and there is bait all over the place.  Can’t remember a year when Bay Anchovies have shown up so early…  They may even bring and early false albacore run.  Let’s hope so. 

Over in Raritan Bay, Captain Joe Mattioli from On The Bite Charters checks in with this report:

We are catching plenty of bluefish in the 3-5lb size, they are blitzing bay anchovies and are providing excellent top water fishing using poppers and crease flies. If you are patient enough to fish underneath the school their are weakfish up to 9lbs. Also If you fish structure you can get bass up to 8lbs.  I have dates open.

From the Beach, Breezy Point regular David Berman checks in with this repot:

I'm going to Breezy in the morning, met no resistance, a good woman is good to find! Set the alarm for 3:30am, not moving very quickly, I'm out of the house and in the car by 4:30, walking to the jetty via the inlet by 5:15 or so. A very low tide and still going out a bit. At the jetty the swell is moderate and the water motion looks great, but unfortunately I'm picking up seaweed on just about every cast on the oceanside. I'm the only one out there so I'm off to the tip, a  rare opportunity, no other anglers to be harassed by a flyfishers casts. The tide has changed to incoming and the rip line looks good. but nothing. A few birds working but not with any intensity. I start to work my way back in fishing the inlet side of the jetty , no weed pickup, but also no signs of fish . The water a little murky, but then I notice on my retrieve little flashes along my line coming in, bait everywhere. Hook one by chance, small spearing the place is paved with them. The only fish I see besides the bait however are a small school of trigger fish slowly motoring along the jetty. They are only slightly curious about my fly, but I'm pleased to see them, a fairly reliable sign that some speedsters aka  Spanish macs and maybe bonito may show up soon, maybe other thing as well, the ocean is a mysterious place! Off the jetty and walking back on the inlet side I come across a dead stingray in a little tidal cut between the shore and a sandbar , very impressive tail, this is not a skate! Ready to reel up and walk in but lets take a few more casts off the sand bar, retrieving the fly just at the drop of the bar and I see the head come up and grab the little blue and white Mikkleson deceiver. After two good runs, and wading wet, quite pleased with a 30" bass .  A great way to finish the morning 9:30 am.

On Tuesday, started about 7am at the jetty and connected with a good fish which turned out to be a yellow-eyed devil, as my fly less tippet came back to me after a while and then landed a cocktail, and that was it . Saw some fish jump, not bluefish style, so I think they were probably Spanish macs. The regular plug guy who caught three last week was there and he reconfirmed that catch, and is reliable. Alot of very small bait lining the beach on the inlet, I assume anchovies.

Western Long Island

From the South Shore, Captain Barry Kanavy from Natural Anglers reports good action with the bluefish this week:

 "Wolf Packs" are prowling the shallows of the South shore. When you turn
your head to talk to a friend and your rod is nearly ripped from your
hand...bluefish...when your picking up line to begin a cast and your rod stops
tight...bluefish...when your retrieving the last ten feet on line and the crack & crash of your surface plug scares everyone in the boat it's that razor tooth
carnivore with a bad attitude, Mr. Bluefish. Thank God for him, what a great way to spend a day. This is the season for leaping, thrashing, snapping, tackle busters. Ahhh, summer ya gotta love it!  Don't forget your band aids.

Up on the North Shore Reel-Timer Bob Giordano checks in with this report:

Hey John,

Lots of Cocktails all over Huntington Bay on moving tides. Sunday, they came right into the swim lines at our beach club but these were a little larger so it was out of the water.

Late last week, on the morning flood, took six schoolie bass to 26" on both sliders and Clousers. Nothing to exciting going on up here. Some rumors of Bonito out in the Port Jeff area. Hoping they make their way west.

We also hear from Captain Robin Calitri this week, checking in with a mixed report:

Long Island Sound has exploded with blues, bass and rumors of bonito.  Joe Mo led a Long Island Bassmasters sojourn, meeting Mitch Bernstein and me at Calf Pasture in Norwalk Connecticut.  After a bout with a sand bar, it was non-stop action with blues and bass.  Best fish if the day was a 27 inch linesider that took Joe Mo's Zara Spook ten feet from the Boat.  Emory Butts and Gene Haines had some porgy action off Eaton's Neck.  Captain Jason D'Apra has been doing well with clients getting nice bass in Cold Spring Harbor.  He fished the worm hatch this moon.  Jason will be relocating to Middletown, New Jersey.  He is a great captain and has been a fly specialist at the Campsite in Huntington for the past nine years.  Long Island's loss will be Jerseys gain.

In the freshwater scene, the Long Island Bassmasters have had tournaments on Forge, Whaley and East Twin.  Dan McGarry won two in a row and Brendan Cuccinello whipped the pack at Forge Pond with a six-pound largemouth.  These two are a pair of world-class bass fishermen.

We are waiting for the false Albacore to show at Montauk and Orient.  Jim Del Grosso has been amusing himself with small blues around Acabonac.  The Duran, Duran team of Troy and Dave has been getting nice Bass plugging around the same area.

Eastern Long Island

Spoke with Captain David Blinken from North Flats guiding today and he reported loads and loads of bait in East Hampton.  Mostly bluefish eating it but there are some bass to be had as well.  Not only are peanut bunker abundant, but there are lots of bay anchovies around.  David was surprised to see them so early in the year.  He anticipates and early fall albie/bass run…  Let hope he’s right.

On the South Side, Captain Jim Hull from Light Tackle Challenge still seems to be picking up some rather large bass.  Check it out:

Lots of bait still pushing into the back. When that much bait starts pouring out, all hell will break loose. Some Spanish macs in the back, Bonito have been in for 2 weeks around the harbor and small BFTs are getting closer every day.With the Blue moon, big swells and off tides, only got out a few times. Ken and Ryan found 14 bass to 27lbs. Alex and Bill had 4 balistic top water fish. Rob Carr had a 30lb. class dog day dog in steamy midday today. Pump up and reel down.  Jim 

From the shore, Reel-Timer John Papciak checks in with this report:

This "Blue Moon" weekend made for some interesting, albeit unpredictable fishing in Montauk.

I had some time off and kicked things off with an all-nighter Wednesday night. I'm not a big fan of the moon, but a thick fog had rolled in. At times, you could not even see the lighthouse from the lighthouse parking lot - now that’s thick.

Once again, strong winds and a good surf made me quickly ditch the fly rod. My spinning rod, plus darters would have to do. But this time, I hedged my bets even more by taking along some rigged eels I had put in the freezer since last November.

About an hour and a half with plugs yielded nothing. By this time, the eels were thawed so I snapped one on and I gave it a heave. On my second cast I was solid into a fish, then another, then another. At this time of year, they sometimes get like this - they wont take anything but the real deal. And this was just one of those nights. In fact, when the fishing was near peak, I purposely went back to a plug. I wasted the next 15-20 minutes rotating through plugs before I got the hint. Then a quick switch back to a rigged eel drove the message home. All told, I landed some 20+ fish between 12 and 20 pounds - better than even some of the best fall nights I've had in the Montauk surf.

I did move over to the south side and threw plugs for about 20 minutes. After taking a few good waves, and getting knocked around pretty good, I decided I had had enough.

Thur afternoon I drifted in the kayak for fluke off shagwong. Good news - musta had 15+ fluke, bad news - nothing greater than 171/2 inches. My secret for success was that I figured out how to troll for fluke. Man they like this better than just a drift!

Saturday night I returned to the scene of the crime (bass, that is) without eels - just the flyrod and a plugging stick. It took about 2 hours, but I did manage 3 bass between 24 and 28 inches on 4 inch yellow deceivers. Before the tide bottomed out, I got the plugging stick out and beat the water to a froth. At dead low I finally connected with a very large bluefish, but I'll admit I had no interest in handling or trying to guess a weight.

Its been 3 weeks of winds and waves, and we have not even seen the first Tropical Storm. Looks like the first one is coming up the coast.

That’s all for this week…  See you on the water…