Word came out the other day regarding new winter boat regulations in New Jersey waters. For all boats under 26 feet in length, including rowboats, kayaks, paddle boards, jet skiis, and inner tubes any persons on board while underway are required to wear an approved USGC personal floatation device.
I have a feeling this is timed for several reasons. One, it is safe and smart. Two, the law knows it's about to go down on the waters in the Raritan and Lower New York Bays, the NY Bight, and along the Jersey Shore. Basically, it'll be a shitshow probably starting this week as anglers with a good memory remember this week in 2022 where a tremendous amount of large bass showed up. It then continued all the way into December.
Now, we know things change from year to year. One big change is the new slot limit that isn't expiring this month making the legal sized striped bass 1 fish between 28-31". There will be alot, I mean alot of catch and release fishing going on this fall because finding those slot fish isn't always easy. Now don't forget New Jersey anglers have the Striped Bass Bonus Program (SBBP) fishery available to them and that goes until December 31st. That's one fish per angler 20-28". So basically, in New Jersey, this fall, anglers can keep one fish 20-31". Do they not think that a ton of culling will be going on which
will raise the fishing mortality? Let's say you keep a 22" fish toward the end of your boat trip. You just wanted "something for the table". Your tag was purchased and you have it in your fishes jaw. On the way in past the Earle Naval pier you find some birds and bass up. You make a cast to play more catch and release and hook a fat 30" fish. You are all alone....... You get what I'm saying. And culling? Keeping fish and throwing them back when a bigger one is caught. And after you make it back to the ramp you are mandated to report it online or call 609 748- 2074.
This week you should start seeing or hearing reports from the boat guys in the bays, or maybe out front, of big bass chewing. These are boat fish. Remember that. Yes, you can still scratch up a catch from the shore but you have to be mobile. You know where the bait is and like they say, find the bait and you'll find the fish. "In the back" should be on your radar and GPS when you make drive to find fish. Looking at reports, especially from boat guys if you fish from the shore, can be discouraging. Don't let it get you and take you out of your own game. Go fish!
And then the big question for me is will I need to even worry about the new PFD law this fall. I pulled two a days the other day trying to continue to figure out all things my boat. The jet boat is off at Mercer Marine because next spring I'll be tooling that around trying to expand the areas I can fish by taking a boat to them and jumping out to wade fish, which is my jam.
Don't mind the outfit as it was just a quick check to see if I could get it going after a day of tinkering. Theresa couldn't help herself but snap a pic while I was in action. I just wish Lauren and Brandon were boat mechanics. I will be out there sometime this fall.
