Could A Political Fluke Delay the Start of Fishing Season?

A fluke in a state law could prevent the fishing season bearing that same name from opening on time next weekend, one group warned this week.

According to an alert from the New Jersey chapter for the Recreational Fishing Alliance, the state Department of Environmental Protection has not taken the step of certifying the dates set by the Marine Fisheries Council for this summer flounder (also known as fluke) season.

What is normally a bureaucratic rubber-stamp could turn into a debacle of massive proportions if the legal opening date for the state's biggest fishery isn't the legal opening date after all.

"With less than 10 days before the start of the proposed  summer flounder season, the state's anglers and businesses remain concerned that the regulation will be enacted in time," said RFA-NJ Chairman Capt. Adam Nowalsky.

Following action by the Marine Fisheries Council on April 7 to enact the 2011 summer as having a season of May 7 through Sept. 25 with a bag limit of eight fish per person and minimum size of 18 inches, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries subsequently submitted the regulation for approval by the DEP the following day, as is common practice. In past years, regulations approved by the council were enacted almost immediately, however, according to RFA officials, nearly three weeks have now passed without approval of the regulation by the DEP.

The group is urging anglers to contact the DEP Commissioner's office by calling 609-292-2885 and requesting that the 2011 summer flounder regulations be enacted as quickly as possible.

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Fishing has been on-and-off this week, as a south wind the past couple of days has turned off a few species. But I've heard the ocean striper bite is picking up relatively close to shore in about 40 feet or water or so. It's gotta be bunker, bunker, bunker for the ocean bass. The best bet, of course, is snagging them, but this time of year that can be iffy, so make sure to bait up and the dock with fresh bunker before leaving.

I've heard this week that some shops have the fresh bunker in, so be on the lookout.

The best bay bite for the stripers remains near the Route 37 bridge in Toms River. This area is a classic haunt for night-time anglers, who I've heard have had success using both bloodworms and artificials.

As for the flounder of the winter variety, all sources point to the flatties beginning their last push toward the ocean, so the Manasquan River is going to be the best bet.

As water temperatures in the river begin to rise over the next month or so, head out at dusk near the Point Pleasant Canal (river side) in your boat and throw some poppers for some of the most fun times of your life catching blues.

Assuming there's a season, we'll return next week with some quick fluke tips before the season begins.