SPECIAL REPORT

April 1 Fishing Report and Blackfish Update  

April 1, 2008:

Striper Action Is Improving:

The air temp is 70 degrees today.  Optimum fishing weather is almost here!!!  The Miss Chris website reports that they are sailing daily for Stripers and they are reporting keeper and throwback catches on many trips.  Fortecue.com is also reporting increased activity on their fishing report page. 

Overall the Striper action appears to be getting better, although it’s still not great. 

Wreck Fishing:

The North Star is reporting solid Black Fish and Cod catches at the inshore wrecks.  On a recent March 31 trip they are reporting that almost everyone got their limit.  The Starlight Fleet is also reporting limit catches of Seabass at 5 pounds and up. 

Blackfish Update:

A pending moratorium on Blackfish catches has been shelved and new limits have been put in place:  A four fish daily possession limit through April, A closed season from May 1-July 15, a 1 fish limit from July 16-November 15 and then a 6 fish limit from November 16-December 31.  The rules are a bit cumbersome but they had to get under mandated limits to prevent a full closure of the blackfish season. 

Feel free to send updates and I will include them in the reports. 

Chris Kaganzev

www.southjerseyfisherman.com

March 20, 2008

Striper Reports

The Stripers are slowly moving into the area.  The Fortescue.com website reported a few Striper catches this week.  The Absecon Bay Sportsman Center website also reported Striper catches and gave out gift certificates to the first three legal Stripers reported. 

The NorthStar out of Ocean City has gone out on a few recent trips and had success with Sea Bass and Blues. 

I’ll be scanning the web and talking to boats and tackle shops trying to find as many reports as I can.  Send me a pic of your Striper catch in 2008 and I will put you on the front page of our site, one of the most viewed fishing sites in South Jersey . 

If anyone has any reports to share please e-mail them to:

Chris@southjerseyfisherman.com

New Flounder Limits:

As many of you are aware, there are new season regulations for the Flounder catch in 2008.  The new limits are: 18 inch minimum with an 8 fish daily possession limit. 

Tautog Closure:

The Federal Government has imposed a closure of Tautog catches.  The effective date of the closure if April 1, 2008 . 

Best of luck to everyone as this early season gets started. 

-Chris Kaganzev

www.southjerseyfisherman.com