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Fish On! A Fight after school with a Big Mouth

ron_nuzzolo.jpgI recently received an e-mail asking me if an 8lb largemouth bass was a big deal or not. My immediate reaction was any freshwater fish at 8lbs is a big deal. Any  caught in Manalapan by a 13 year old is an even bigger deal. Kevin Thompson is an avid fisherman from Manalapan; he rides his bicycle to fish local ponds and lakes after school as much as possible. On April 21st 20010 Kevin got into a fight after school with a bigmouth. Kevin hooked into a monster of a fish and landed the 25 inch 8lb largemouth bass after an intense battle between man and fish. Kevin landed the monster using a 5? yamasenko bait with an All-star Select rod and Fluger bait caster reel which is his weapon of choice.

To confirm this was a trophy fish I logged onto http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/recfish-fresh.htm .  The NJ state record was a 10 lb 14 Oz largemouth bass caught in 1980 by a Robert Eisele. Unfortunately Kevin
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did not get an official weigh in for a possible junior category but he did get plenty of pictures. I did advise him to record the fish with the NJ state Division of Fish and Wildlife's Skillful Angler Awards Program. The program is for any fish which may not be of record size but is of sufficient size and weight to have tested your skill and/or be of "bragging" size.

The Skillful Angler Awards Program is designed to supplement the Record Fish listing. It honors the many anglers who catch both freshwater and marine fish which aren't of record size but are impressive and worthy of recognition. Qualifying anglers receive a signed certificate attesting to their achievement along with a bronze pin suitable to be worn on a fishing hat, jacket, etc. At the end of each year, special recognition is given to the anglers who caught the largest fish in each of the species categories. Kevin?s goal is to be on a fishing team when he goes to college. Kids like Kevin have a true love for fishing and he is one of the 40 million Americans who love to fish. Food for thought, if you Google the word baseball you will get 130 million hits, Google fishing and you get 143 million hits.

 Fish On!
Ron Nuzzolo
Greater Media News

NJ Saltwater Fisherman 3rd Annual Banquet

The Captains were definitely "in" this weekend as well over 100 members and guests of New Jersey Saltwater Fisherman took over the Captain's Inn in Forked River, NJ for the 3rd Annual NJSWF Banquet this past Saturday.  Not only were the prizes "off the hook", but the party raised an astounding $1,100 for the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA)! ..........

Read Full Story Here 

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Read Full Story Here

Read more: NJ Saltwater Fisherman 3rd Annual Banquet

NJ Saltwater Fishing Regulation Changes

The NJ DEP has announced new regulations for the recreational and commercial harvest of black sea bass, summer flounder, and weakfish became effective in New Jersey on March 25, 2010. New Jersey's adoption of the regulations was necessary to remain in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMP) for these species.

The regulation changes include a reduction in the recreational black sea bass season, a minor change in the summer flounder recreational season and a recreational and commercial possession limit reduction for weakfish.
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The ASMFC established a coastwide black sea bass season of May 22 through September 12:
which is now in effect in New Jersey. The recreational black sea bass possession limit and minimum size remain at 25 fish per day and 12.5 inches.


The same ASMFC Board approved the NJ Marine Fisheries Council recommendation to change the New Jersey summer flounder recreational season to May 29 through September 6, which includes both Memorial Day and Labor Day. The 2009 season was May 23 through September 4. The recreational possession limit and minimum size remain at 6 fish per day and 18 inches.

The ASMFC's Weakfish Management Board (Board) implemented stock-wide management measures to reduce the recreational and commercial weakfish possession limit due to a determination that the Atlantic Coast weakfish stock is currently depleted and at the lowest population level since estimates have been recorded (1981-2008). The Board implemented stock-wide management measures to promote stock rebuilding, which result in a recreational possession limit of one (1) fish per angler per day. The former New Jersey recreational possession limit was six fish per angler per day.

The new commercial weakfish regulations reduce the daily possession limit to 100 pounds during the open commercial season and establish a minimum size of 13 inches for all gear types at all times. During the closed commercial weakfish season, the possession limit has also been reduced to100 pounds and may only be kept if it does not exceed 50 percent, by weight, of the total weight of all species landed and sold.

 

Read More Here On The NJ Black Sea Bass, NJ Summer Flounder and NJ Weakfish Regulation Changes

 



Summer Flounder Proposals for 2010

flounder-large.jpgSummer Flounder proposals for 2010

"As for summer flounder, there will be a one percent reduction in quota and six options that have been submitted by the state approved by the technical committee for seasons and limits.

The options Were as follows


1)  6 fish @ 18"   from  May 29 to Sept 6      101 days
2)  4 fish @ 18"   from  May 23 to Sept 6      107 days
3)  6 fish @ 18.5  from  May 13 to Sept 13    124 days
4)  6 fish @ 18.5  from  May 29 to Sept 26    121 days
5)  6 fish @ 18.8  from  May 21 to Sept 12    115 days
6)  6 fish @ 18.5  from  May 29 to Sept 17    112 days

 

Update ( March 4th )

 

Tonight The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council opted for option #1. Which gives us both holidays. May 29 - Sept.6  (6) fish at 18"