It's been an interesting month laying off the Jersey side of the Delaware River in the search for striped bass. The regulations, well the law, states you can't target or possess striped bass in the Delaware from April 1st to May 31st. It's a loosely enforced law. I've talked with officers. I've called supervisors. Without names, "We just don't want you keeping striped bass". The running joke, just like those that fish dirty for "bluefish" outside the 3-mile line, is you can say you're fishing for smallmouths, walleye, or snakeheads. And then across the water Pennsylvania is not only open, but you can keep 2 fish 21-24 inches. It's like having a classroom where there's rules on one side that differ from the other but the kids move freely between the sides. It's a little confusing.
And then to add to the confusion are the summer flounder, aka fluke, regulations. Seems easy enough until you break out the measuring tape after you've landed your personal best. Fluke season opens May 2nd. You are allowed two fish at 17" to 17.99". Okay. And then one greater than 18". I know regulations are supposed to protect species but there can't be a fish that has a higher mortality than fluke. Fluke swallow bait. Spearing, killies, snappers, cut bait, they swallow it. And if the fish is too short, or now too big, the rig and that famous bent hook get pulled through the fishes innards so the angler is in compliance with the law. Not good.
And then there's weakfish. I'm hearing of more and more catches around New Jersey. Also known as tide-runners these fish used to be a go-to when other fish weren't around or biting. They were here and then they were gone. If you catch one, and it can be released, please do it, just because a few are here doesn't mean we have to kill them. If you must it's one fish at 13 inches, basically a fish stick or two.
And then there's bluefish. It used to be you could set your calendar to when the gators and racers would show up and entertain the anglers and in some places chase the bass away. I always enjoyed an outing or two just looking for bluefish. With a wire leader and popper in hand it was fun until you tried to remove said bait from the fishes vice-like grip. They haven't been around in recent years but if they show, and you eat them, it's a 3 fish limit from the beach and 5 if you go on a boat.
I can remember taking the above picture. It was August 2012. It was hot, like disgusting hot. Anglers came off the boats with burlap bags of bluefish. The ones that I watch get filleted were stiff with
rigor mortis and off color from the heat. They had to be bent to accept the knife. A lot of people tell me they used to just keep them for the garden. Times have changed and so have the fisheries. Stick a tape measure or a ruler in your tackle bag so you don't break the law and risk getting a ticket.