Conference wahoo::fishing

    	Welcome to DEC Vince. I'm sure you will be hearing from Beach
    Bagel. He surf fishes in your area. I do my fishing further North
    in Maine for the same fish. I like to hear about action down your
    way because I know it won't be long after it starts down there that 
    we will be into them up here.
    
    Paul

    Vince,
      Welcome from another salt water nut from the north (not quite
    as far north as paul), I fish the North Shore of Mass. Let us know
    when the mackeral fly by the south there on there way up to us.
    The Blues and tuna won't be far behind.
    
    Bruce (aka. Capt Codfish)

    Vince,
    	As you were warned, I am replying to your note. I am a frequent
    contributor to this file, usually discussing the Jersey Coast- mostly
    the surf. While you describe yourself as 'obsessed', I am probably
    somewhat beyond that (I just don't know the proper phrase to describe
    my condition). 
    	Where are you located? I don't recognize your node name. 
    	As Bob Aldea mentioned, there are many of us DECies who formed
    a club a few years ago known as S.U.R.F. International. (That stands
    for Suburban, Urban and Rural Fishermen). We have a meeting coming
    up on March 15, and would like to extend an invitation to you and
    anyone else reading this file. 
    	You can contact me at NYJMIS::HORWITZ or DTN 332-2225.
    
    	ALSO.... several of us are planning to open the season this
    weekend trying for flounder and shool stripers at Pebble Beach.
    
    Tight Lines,
     
    Rich "Beach Bagel" Horwitz

    The node listed is Granpa (MAA).  My other main system is CHOVAX.
     I am based out of the Delaware office in New Castle. My home is
    located in Franklinville,NJ.  I trailer a 22 foot cuddy cabin/fisherman
    to all sorts of places in NJ.  I usually start out in Delaware Bay
    in april for Blues (racers) and hang out for the Tiderunners in
    mid May.  From here on out it is anyone's guess where I might be
    putting in at.  A rule of thumb however, is that as the season
    progresses, my direction heads north. I go up as far as Belmar for
    Blues inshore, then off to the Mud Hole for tuna and sharks.  Anywhere
    in between and you are likely to see this "nut" with a minimum of
    six lines in the water looking for a cheap high. Seriously though,
    I try to expand my fishing horizons and try new places as time permits.
    I usually save the months of October and November for some SURF,
    thats right I said SURF...fishing.  It really is the ultimate challenge
    in the ol briny.  Most of my surf action centers around Island Beach
    State Park, or Briggantine (north end).  I have buggy permits for
    both.  I could probably go on for the rest of the day typing, but
    you know we must keep our minds on work, not fishing. (never happen!)
    I hope to meet up with you soon, so I dont have to fill screens
    up with letters.  Really that translates into ( I love to swap fish
    tales).  Spring coming down the pike fella's.   Good Day!
    					            Vince Caruso
    						DTN 338-5662  

    Yo Vince, welcome to DEC and NOTES.  My name is Joe DeMaria and
    I work in the Blue Bell Office.  Like the Beach_Bagel I spend most
    of my time on the beaches and jetties of southern Jersey.  I have
    been fishing Island beach for about 5 years and other beaches as
    dictated by fishing reports.  Several people in the area have boats
    rangeing from 23' Cuddys to 46' sport-fisherman.  In the summer
    when the beach is slow I try to bum rides with these guys.  Let
    me know the next time your going to IBSP maybe I can meet you there.
    
    
    I'm on the same node & the DTN is 328-4235
    
    Regards,
    	JOE D
    

                                  -< Welcome >-

Hi Vince,
Welcome to Dec. Would have said something sooner but was out the 
country wher the network is toooo sloooow to use notes.
I fish a little south of Bruce who is a little south of Paul
so that puts me on Cape Cod (GODS country for fishing).
Maybe You could trailer your boat up this way and bring 'Bagel'
so we can show him there are really fish away from the beaches.
Norm

    Hey!  Did any of you sports fans get out and catch some fishies
    this weekend?  I have to admit that I was not out there, but wish
    I was.  Guess the winter flatties are up and stirrin' around.  Down
    here in Jersey we had some fantastic weather.  No excuse not to
    get out.  Well... maybe a wife hanging over you doing home improvements,
    and stuff like that will count as a fair excuse.  But all that will
    change as soon as the first Mackerel cruises by Cape May. Lets count
    the days down one by one folks!
                     
    
    					Vince

    Vince, 
    You're right, the weather was beautiful this past weekend, but I
    got skunked again anyhow. But, one of the guys from my club did
    report getting a few flounder out of the Shrewsbury River. Guess
    I'll just have to hope for good (better?) weather this weekend-
    after all, St. Patty's day is the (un)official season opener around
    here.
    
    Bagel

    Well, how bout it guys (&gals).  70 plus degree weather!  Are we
    losing it yet?  I know I have lost all control, and pictured myself,
    graphite rod in hand drifting lazily across the Atlantic Ocean.
    If this does not fire up a fisherman's blood, nothing will.  Help,
    someone tell me the mackeral are here.  I need to know!  Just lemme
    reel in a few. Just a few.  Then attach a big hook to em and catch
    me a great big ol' mako... .  Wait a minute, I have got to get a grip
    on myself here.  Any rate, I was just wondering if anyone else was
    suffering from Cabin Fever?  
    
    				Somebody get me a doctor!
    						(or a school of fish)
    
    
    
    Vince 

    Vince... If you thought yesterday was "bad", what about today?!?!?!?!?!
    
    	The cropper this morning was on the Garden State Pkwy. On the
    way to work I was the only vehicle southbound without a rod & reel!
    The worst was the pick-up towing a boat. The three (obviously retired)
    older gents in the cab all gave me big sh*t-eating grins as they
    passed and noticed my look of envy!
    
    Now I just hope thge weather forecast is wrong for tomorrow!
    
    Bagel _who_needs_to_feel_something_pull_back_on_the_line_

    Just waitin an' waitin an' waiting  sigh
    

    Hey Joe...nice to hear from ya'!
    
    Little bit of (almost) good news...I got an UNconfirmed report of
    some short bass being hooked at Natco Lake (empties into Raritan
    Bay)... Guess where I'll be tomorrow.
    
    BTW  I have to check my calendar...should be some conservation projects
    with NJBBA coming up. Isn't it about time for I.B.S.P. to be rebuilt?
    
    Bagel

    Any luck yet folks?  I am going to put my boat in this weekend for
    a shakedown run, and check out the new video recorder I installed
    last week.  I am going to try a mackeral trip the following weekend,
    and load up on bait, if they cooperate.  Whats news up north Bagel?
    I would imagine that you have wet a line or two by now.  Guess there
    are some stripers stirring here and there, and hopefully one or two
    stirring on the end of your line.  Rich, are you ready to go out
    and use all that knowledge you gained at the SWS seminar.  If things
    go right in the next month, maybe some of us can make a trip into
    Deleware Bay for some Spring Run Bluefish.  Then we can post comments
    on how well the fishing was, and get everybody wound up in the New England
    offices.  So whats new Anglers?
    
    
    Vinnie

    Vince, 
    What are we doing in the office today???????
    
    Right now about the only thing doing up here are flounder. Had a
    couple of nice sized ones on Saturday morning. One guy from my club
    (a DEC FS UM) had a short striper from the same spot (Upper Raritan
    Bay) last week. The water must still be on the cool side, as the
    flounder I caught had not yet spawned.
    Hopefully this nice warm weather will get things moving. The arrival
    of Daylight Savings means I can dramatically increase my fishing
    time, so results should start improving (striper-wise).
    
    BTW...Just were are the mackeral? I've heard reports of anywhere
    from 30 miles off Cape may to 3 miles off Brigantine. I also had
    a report of some blues showing up in draggers nets.
    
    Keep me posted.
    Tight lines
    
    Bagel

    re 616.15  Actually I meant Joe D., not Rich.  I am fouling the
    names up here a bit guys. Sorry.  
    
    
    Vinnie

I don't believe there are any fish down there you guys are just 
trying to get us upset.
norm

    Re: .17
    
    Vinnie - sure had me confused...I tore the house apart looking for
    all the handous from that seminar  :-)
    
    Re: .18
    Norm.... we're not trying to get you guys upset........YET
    
    
    
    Bagel

    Just got back into town.  A quick call to Betty & Nicks confirmed
    the good news?  Frank said that the head boats were getting plenty
    of Macks a couple of miles east of Atlantic City....good sign!!!
    
    One of the guys in the office was fishing on a branch of the Raritian
    last saturday and caught a bunch of short stripers, all less than
    20".  Another good sign!!!
    
    Hope to get to IBSP next week if I can.
    
    
    Rich, see you at the fencing project at IBSP later in the month?
    
    
    Can't_wait_JOE D
    

    Re:-1
    Joe, What's the date for IBSP project?
    
    Also, get more info on the Raritan Stripers. (For those I MAY buy
    a license!)
    
    Rich

    Well folks, I did not actually go fishing this weekend, but I put
    the new boat in the water, and gave it a good shakedown run.  Tested
    out the new video machine, and VHF, and everything worked out dandy.
    We went down to the Maurice river, right outside of Millville, and
    there was not too much happening on the fishing scene.  Lotsa guys
    running around in their high priced over powered bass boats, but
    no real striper action down this end of the state.  I am contemplating
    a flounder trip Friday in the Manasquan.  If any of you folks can
    get off, and we have fair weather, I would be glad to have you along!
    I will be tied up over the weekend, so I figured Friday would be
    a good day to get out and wet a line, and maybe bring home a short
    stack of fillets.  So anyone hear of any hotspots for the winter
    flatties.  I might try the canal or over by the Mantalooking bridge.
    I hear a lot of talk of these two spots.  I guess I will have to
    keep my fingers crossed.
                            
    
    Vinnie

    Re:-1
    Vinnie, Unfortunately I have to give a dog & pony show in NY on
    Friday. B U T.... 
    	A note of caution on the (Bayhead) CANAL - this stretch of water
    can be as dangerous as Barnegat Inlet! The tidal current is always
    strong- about 6+ knots, combined with a lot of traffic. Actually,
    you cannot fish in the canal itself from a boat, but rather off
    either end. (this time of year the  Manasquan R. end is better).
    
    A noe of caution for the Mantoloking bridge also: again, real strong
    tides. I have ridden through this spot and would swear that there
    is a hole in the water. 
    
    Good luck,
    
    Rich

    Rich, could you possibly suggest a place where I can fish in relative
    comfort, and have reasonable success in that area?  I heard a lot
    of talk about winter flounder fishing in that local, but really
    dont know where to go.  i thought about Shark River, but would like
    to travel as short of a distance as possible.  Any help is surely
    appreciated. 
    
    Thanks
    
    Vinnie

    Hey Rich, the IBSP fencing project is 4/23/88.  If my wife lets
    me tear away from the yard work on a Saturday, I'll be there.
    
    The guy I was talking about caught the stripers in the Mullica river
    not Raritan (my mistake).  He got them in some deep holes where
    the Mullica and Wading river join.  Give me a call if you want specific
    directions.  Sunday he caught a 24" striper while the game warden
    was inspecting his boat!  Bloodworms seem to be the bait of choice
    right now.
    
    Question...At what point travelling up the bays and rivers of Jersey
    do you need a fresh water liscense?
    

    re:.24
    Vinnie, Seems that your best place now both for comfort and catching
    might be the Manasquan R. Any place along the channel edges between
    the Rt35 bridge (east) and Rt. 70 bridge ont the west. Right about
    in the center of this stretch is the mouth of the canal on the south
    shore. About 200 yards west of the canal is the Hospital, which
    has always been a good spot (this is the only large institutional
    type building along this part of the river). If the weather is nice,
    the fleet should point out the hotspots :-). The only weather problem
    here is a wind either due east or west and blowing hard. Don't forget
    your chum pot!
    
    re:.25
    Joe, I guess the 24-incher got thrown back, huh?
    
    Unfortunately, on 4/23 I have to host a birthday party for my daughter.
    Oh well, looks like it'll take a little longer to get my "star jacket"-
    (longer if they raise the point total!)
    This past Saturday one of my buddies caught a bass about 15 inches
    long. This was immediately after I slipped off the sod bank and
    tested the new waders....BBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
    Up here sandworms seem to be the ticket. (I'll never know why no
    one uses sands below Barnegat.)
    
    Bagel thinking_about_visiting_Natco_lake_tomorrow

    Well Rich, I may try tommorow if the wind is not blowing like it
    is today.  They have small craft advisories in effect, with wave
    heights on the ocean to 11 feet.  The wind is out of the Nor'east
    today, but is supposed to change to the So'east on Thursday.  Is
    the location you mentioned around Kevin Bogans shop.  I will probably
    stop in there for worms and chum before I launch my boat.  Cross
    ya fingas and maybe I wont get blown out on my first Real trip of
    the year.
    
    Vinnie

    Vince, K.Bogan's is close to one end of that stretch. When you stand
    at his front door and face north, that's the Rt 35 bridge. Most
    of the action should be from there - upstream. Although, it may
    pay to try just to the east of Rt 35 as there is a fair sized mud-flat
    out there. The only launch facilities I can think of are Clarks
    Landing and Shore Marine. Clarks is in the middle of Point Pleasant
    while the other is alongside the Rt. 70 bridge. Bogan's can probably
    ID some other ramps. 
    
    Good luck and let us know the results
    
    Bagel

    re:.26
    
    	Rich, this guy throws EVERYTHING back.
    
    	I never had much luck with sandworms.  On a hard cast they break
    into several pieces.  Am I doing something wrong?
    
    
    Maybe friday......JOE D
    

    Re: .29
    
    Yeah, sands do break on HARD casts. (actually, they explode from
    centrifical force sending all their insides towards the tail- saw
    a slo-mo film of this a few years back.) The trick is LOB the cast.
    Some of the 'better' bait-men I know use this trick:
    
    	Instead of using 2 or 3 worms on the hook (bass are hungry devils)
    they first string a rubber worm (see any of the largemouth notes)
    up the hook, usually past the eye. Then they add the real worm.
    This way, even if part of the sand worm becomes "chum", the fake
    worm gives the action with the smell/taste of what's left of the
    real thing.
    
    Bagel  

    Well Rich, I finally got out on Sunday. Finally!  We trucked up
    to Point Pleasant bright & early and put in at the canal.  Tried
    to save a few bucks by using a public ramp.  Big mistake!  Ramp
    was all of 10 feet long.  Trailer went off ramp and on the sand
    behind the ramp.  Luckily the drop at the end of the ramp was only
    a few inches, and I had 4WD.  So we made our way up the canal (seems
    like we were going about a mile an hour against strong wind and
    tide) to the river.  I turned the scope on to look for some of those
    holes everyone was talking about, but could not locate any.  Did
    find a few dropoffs (5' average) and anchored on top of one of those
    bad boys.  Tossed chum pot over and proceeded to get blown around
    by 25 kt NW winds. (shoulda brought the second anchor)  I broke
    out my ultra ultra lite spinner outfit with 4# and chucked it over
    the side along with a few other rods.  Later I heard a sound that
    I have not heard yet this year.  A good screach of a drag!  A 2.25
    # flounder wanted a hunk of sandworm better than my hook wanted
    it.  On this light outfit the fish was a blast.  Not to mention,
    the largest winter flattie I had ever seen, let alone caught!  This
    was the start of a good day for my first real trip out.  I bagged
    around 10 myself, and considered to be real lucky taking into account
    the winds and strong running tides.  The Ol' Squan really paid off
    for me and my buddy.  Gonna cook some up tonite!  If things go good
    next week, I will try again, but will use a second ultra lite pole.
    Feels good to be back in the tide!
    
    
    Vinnie   Whos_gotten_rid_o_cabin_feva!
    

    Ok.
    Yet another season to demonstrate my declining ability to catch
    flounder is almost over.
    
    If the Macks are here....
    
    		ANYBODY SEE THE BLUES YET??????

    Where are the Macks?? My log from last year shows macks in MAss
    the third week in May. With this cold weather I would think they
    may be late.
    
    Bruce

    As of this past weekend, macks were off the Central Jersey coast
    and extended down to Delaware.
    
    Rich
    

    Well Rich I destroyed about 6 bucktails on Sunday pulling in 8-10
    pound blues out in Deleware Bay.  My wife and I were on the bay
    by 6:30 and left by 9:00 am.  We ran out of cooler space after about
    13 fish, so we started releasing all the rest of the fish we caught.
    The blues were considered big for Deleware Bay standards.  Usually
    they run around 2-5 pounds, but the old saying still goes: "deeper
    water bigger fish"!  Most of the folks out fishing (which were not
    many) they were all in close to the Maurice River cove.  They were
    picking a few here and there, but out just a few miles further was
    some real good early season fishing.  Keep your eye open in the NJ
    fisherman, for a report and possibly later a photo.  The owner of
    the marina where we put in at made a big stink over the catch, and was
    taking pictures and asking lotsa questions.  It seems that this was
    the first real big catch of the year.  I am real happy about it
    at any rate, and look forward to a great season to come.  Rich,
    you should start to see some blues in the surf up there any day
    now, if they are not there already.  Go get em!
                 
    P.S   The weather was fantastic down there!
    
    Vinnie    Who_wantsa_doit_again!

    	Well, looks like the blues are stretched out along the 
    entire Jersey coast at this point. Even though I got skunked last
    evening, the guys on both sides of me landed blues in the 3 - 5#
    range. This took place along the sod banks on Raritan Bay.
    
    Bagel _who-NEEDS_to_feel_something_pull_back_

    	This doesn't have anything to do with New Jersey but its still
    East Coast. 
    	I just read in the local paper that the first Striper of the
    season has been caught in the Saco River (Maine). It was a schoolie
    and was released. The article stated that this is a week and a half
    earlier than last year. Apparently the baitfish are early and so
    are the stripers. It won't be long before they show up in the Kennebec
    River which is in my stompin grounds. Any other reports between
    N.J. and Maine?
    
    Paul	Now_I_gotta_get_the_boat_ready

    Paul,
    
      FYI the macks are thick on stellewagon which is a good week plus earlier
    than I caught them last year. There has been tons of bait fish
    (sand eels and herring) also. I think the fisherman said some schoolies
    were caught in the merrimac also.
    
    So far this spring has been exellent fishing around here. Big fish
    so far is just shy of 20lbs, will be looking for that 40 this weekend.
    
    Bruce

    
    
    Well fellow anglers, who is catching what?  I have not heard any
    reports from anybody lately, and I am wondering how we are making
    out in the ol' Briny.  I have only been catching bluefish for the
    past few weeks in Deleware Bay, but if it stops raining and water
    temp rises a few more degrees, I might latch on to a nice big
    Tiderunner Weakie this Friday.  But if not, I will still take the
    Blues. (they always save the day, dont they)  Rich.  Any action
    in the suds up north?  How bout Joe D?  I am checking up on ya all
    hoping everyone is getting the season off to a good start.  Good
    luck this weekend and have a safe holiday!
    
    Vinnie   Who_Thinks_He_Sees_Some_Marks_On_The_Fishfinder_Instead_Of_Notes

    Re -1
    
    Well Vince, it's been kinda slow up this way. A couple of weeks
    ago the blues were pretty thick in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bays. They're
    still around, but have quieted down some from the opening blast.
    Sunday I saw some pretty fair sized blues taken at Sandy Hook's
    Horseshoe Cove. (As usual I was a little too late!) They seem to
    be feeding sporadically now. Also, this WONDERFUL WEATHER sure isn't
    helping matters any.
    Fluke are starting up my way, and I will probably give them a shot
    this weekend (Yeah!!! 3 mornings of fishing this week)
    The Bass situation has been real quiet. An occasional schooly taken
    on worms on days when 5oz of lead can hold bottom. Not much on plugs
    yet. Even the live-liners around Asbury/Spring Lake aren't doing
    anything.
    
    Oh well, looks like things can only get BETTER!
    
    I hope to have a (good) report after the weekend.
    Bagel

    Hi guys, went to IBSP on friday 5/27, wow.....
    
    It was the best spring day I have ever had in the surf.  Large schools
    of blues showed up in the wash about 8 AM and stayed there for about
    2 hours.  These were not the typical spring schoolies, the smallest
    was 8lbs and the largest just over 13lbs.  Between the two of us
    we beached about 50 fish, kept 12, released the rest.  At the local
    diner about 5AM on friday, 4 night fisherman came in with 6 stripers
    they caught just before sunrise.  All between 34 and 41 inches.
    
    
    BTW my cousin went tp IBSP on saturday and never saw a fish.  One
    of these days I'll figure it out!
    
    
    Just_sitten_an_waiten_for_the_next_trip
    
    
    JOE D
    

    re: -1
    Joe D - you guys must have scared 'em all  :-)
    I fished Sat, Sun, and Mon. mornings....lot's of fishing- no catching.
    
    BUT- we did notice a number of blues in the 8 -10# range beaching
    themselves! These fish were not chasing bait, but appeared weak
    and confused. Some had noticeable (sp?) wounds (maybe from nets?)
    others were bleeding from the gills, others just kinda flopped up
    on the sand. Fish that were put back in washed right back to the
    beach. Also, I spoke to one guy who said he had caught a couple
    and all his efforts to release them alive (even though they were
    lip-hooked) failed. 
    
    Anyone else see this anyplace???
    
    Bagel 

    re .41
    
    JOE, Good Deal!
    Looks like Friday was a happening day every where you fished.  I
    fished Deleware Bay around Brown's Shoal, along with about 300 other
    boats.  We had a steady pick of those famous spring "Tiderunners".
    The weakfish were plentiful, right smack on the bottom.  My fishfinder
    (crystal ball) was freaking out with all the fish I was marking.
    The smallest of those trouty little devils went 8# and a hair. 
    The biggest went 12# 11 oz.  All spring spawners, so we threw most
    back to do their thing.  All totaled, we had about 10 weaks for
    3 guys fishing.  Some blues also in the 10# range.  The bays is
    full of activity.  On friday water temp readings were as high as
    70.4 degrees F.  I would imagine since friday that things have really
    warmed up by now.  Gonna try it again on Sunday.  Oh yeah, I am
    still waitin for that big 10# doormat fluke I seen in my sleep last
    week.
    
    I hope the Bagel is not getting stale.  Things can only get better
    my friend.  Just a few more casts.  Let me know when that 30 plus
    linesider comes to rest along your waders Rich.
    
    Good Day All!
    
    Vinnie
                                                 

    re:.-2
    
    Everything we caught on friday looked healthy, the ones we released
    swam back into the surf very quickly.  It looks like the problem
    might be localized.  Ocean dumping strikes again ?!?!
    
    One thing I forgot to mention in the other note was the amount of
    bait in the surf.  At on point in time there was bunker, snappers
    and rainfish all within 100' of where I was standing.  In addition
    to that, the blues had sand eels in their bellies.  Is that common
    in the spring?
    
    
    Got_to_go
    
    JOE D
    

    re: -1
    Joe, it may not be common to have blues and an assortment of bait
    in the wash at this time of year, but it is a far from rare occurance.
    Likewise for the bellies full of sand-eels. What you tell me confirms
    the reports that the bar at IBSP doesn't have may (any?) cuts yet.
    The water in the trough was probably several degrees warmer than
    on the outside, making for conditions more like October than June.
    (But then again, every time I put my head outside I think I missed
    summer :-)  ).
    
    BTW- I think I'm starting to get the hint from you and Vinnie-
    		do Beepers work on FRIDAYS at the beach?
    
    Bagel  _who_is_forgetting_what_catching_is_like_

    Bagel has finally broken the ice for this season!!!!
    Saturday morning yielded (?) 2 blues ~3# each and a Striper ~28inches
    Sunday....3 blues- same size, no bass
    
    Both days there was a tremendous fleet fluking in tight to the beach,
    but none of the surfmen could buy a fluke.
    
    BTW- Vinnie- how'd you do on Friday?
    
    Bagel
    

    Beepers do work at the beach.  In fact if you use a phone booth
    in just the right location, the surf sounds just like traffic! 
    I keep a mental map of phones that I can use!  Unfortunatly, its
    a problem if I'm on a boat.
    
    
    I have never fished for fluke or flounder in the surf.  How do you
    rig for them and how do you keep the crabs off the hook?
    
    
    See_you_on_the_beach
    
    
    JOE D

    Rich, I chickened out on Friday, but went out by myself on Saturday,
    and found the weakfish to be somewhat cooperative.  I picked up
    4 trout in the 12 # range and also 5 fluke to 2.5#.  One blue spit
    the hook right at the boat, but they dont count right?  It was fairly
    rough however making fishing a bit uncomfortable.  I left the mouth
    of the Cape May Canal at about 5:50am only to find 5 foot rollers
    coming in from the north.  So later I went around the front of Cape
    May to pick up the fluke I caught.  It was like a lake over there,
    being sheltered from the 19+ kt winds.  
    
    I am real glad to hear you picked up some fish Rich!  Feels good
    eh?  B.T.W.  I am leaving work early (noon) to spend a late afternoon
    trip for some more weakfish, and maybe if I get lucky enough a drum.
    I doubt it though.  Got a full boat going out this afternoon, and
    we better fill at least two coolers.  See what happens.  Oh yeah
    Rich, the tide oughta be perfect for some late evening surf fishing.
    High tide around 9?  Go for it!  I will leave a note to let every
    know how we did today.
                                      
    
    
    Vinnie        Who_Hopes_he_wont_get_skunked_after_his_hot_streak
                           

    RE:.47
    
    Joe, rigging for fluke is pretty simple. I use the same basic rig
    as in a boat. BUT, instead of a long (3+ ft) leader, I keep it less
    than two feet long. The long leads are just too much bother to cast.
    DONT use a pyramid sinker here (I use cushion or coin style), as
    the technique is:
    		Cast
    		Move the rod tip in a ~90 deg. arc to move the bait
    		Take up the slack
    		Repeat the last 2 items until A) you get one or B) you
    have to cast again
    I usually use strips of squid (killies are a pain when you gotta
    walk), unless someone leaves a sand shark on the beach. Strips of
    sand shark belly are SUPER for fluke, and one strip could last all
    season.
    
    Bagel _who_is_headed_for_the_Hook_NOW_
    

    	Joe, in addition to shark belly, I feel fluke belly is second to
    none when it comes to luring a doormat on the hook.  I am sure you
    know to keep the rig directly on the bottom, as fluke will rarely
    come 6 inches off the bottom to feed.  There are however rare times
    when the fluke will chase its prey straight up to the surface.
        
    	Rich, on Tuesday, I was going to try for some more DE Bay weaks,
    but the wind was blowin too darn hard out of the south.  This makes
    for horrible fishing on an incoming tide in DE bay.  So after I
    left work at noon I headed for Briggantine.  We had our minds set
    on some nice fluke.  Wrong!  Wind + Tide opposing = no drift.  The
    boat just seemed to lie motionless while the tide came roaring in.
    After a half hour of trying to get the boat to drift right, I said
    the heck (?) with this!  We went out the inlet and cruised up the
    beach for about 15 minutes to lead us directly to some heavy duty
    white water.  The white water was not from breakers, but from a
    half mile wide school of blues destroying baitfish.  This was the
    perfect moment to break out the fly-rods and have some real sport
    with these nasty fellas.  We pick up three before they sounded, and
    proceeded to follow them all evening.  In the third pack, we began
    picking up some Albacore mixed in with the blues.  Fish were in
    the 8# range.  It was one of those days I dream about.  Acres of
    breaking fish, and not a boat in sight.  Gimme More!  The good fishing
    is surely upon us folks, Lets Get Em'.
    
    Vinnie
                    

    Yo, Vinnie-
    	I think you southerners have had enough fun by yourselves.
    	It's time you chased some of those finny creatures up north.
    		:-)    :-)      :-)
    
    	You can probably guess from the above that it's been rather
    slow up at the Hook (newspaper reports aside).
    
    Hey Joe_D, what's going on at Island Beach? Should I start thinking
    about making the looong drive?
    
    Bagel

    Rich, you shoulda been there yesterday........
    
    I called Betty & Nicks on friday, they said there had been 10 straight
    days of blitzes.  Naturally I went to IBSP on monday (6/20).  We
    had a 25 knot south wind all day and not a fish in sight.  When
    I came off the beach I checked the log at B & N's and they were
    not fibbing.  There had to be 75 entries for the previous 11 days.
    The average catch was 15-25 fish all in the 8-12 lb. catagory.
    Oh well, maybe next time....
    
    Windburned_in_Pa
    
    	JOE D
    

    Joe_D- 
    At least you were in the RIGHT PLACE, even if at the WRONG TIME.
    You got half the algorithm down.
    
    I just know that if I go to IBSP, the Hook will get hot. If I split
    my weekend between the two, Jetty Row will get all the action.
    
    I'm beginning to feel like Rodney Dangerfield. Next thing you know,
    my wife will tell me: "you should have been here yesterday" :-)
    
    Bagel _who_keeps_on_trying_
    

    Well Rich, the wife and went fishing yesterday, and for the first
    time this year, I do not have a great report to post.  Once again
    we were treated to a lousy SW wind around 17 kts.  This is bad news
    on an incoming tide at most of the South Jersey inlets.  We picked
    up three fluke for almost 4 hours of fishing.  Pretty sad.  However...
    "A bad day fishing is undoubtetly better than a good day at the
    puzzle palace (work)".  We enjoyed the good weather and had a good
    meal of fresh fluke that night.  The fish were around a pound and
    a half each. (not bad size)  So ol' vinnie doesnt have one o dem
    "we killed em reports to post.  Sorry if I let anyone down. (joke)
    Good luck all.
    
    Vinnie

    re -1
     
    Hey Vince....when do you work?
    
    At least you caught something. Fluke aren't anything to sneer at.
    Sure they're not tuna or billfish, but if you scale the tackle to
    them, they DO put up a respectable tussle. I love taking them in
    the bays on 1/2oz bucktails and 6# line - even the shorts get the
    adrenalin pumping on that tackle.

    yes vince there are fisherman in N.J. some even work at the same
    location. my dtn is 328-4253 an i work for joe d. refered to as
    the beach bum.
    tony

    Well, the guy in the newspaper was finally right! :^)
    
    A report early in the week said that blues were chasing bunker in
    the (of all places) Raritan River at New Brunswick. Went over to
    the river at lunch the other day. Didn't see blues, but DID see
    a few sizable schools of bunker out towards mid-stream. Also saw
    LOTS of other baitfish (killies, small finger mullet) along the
    banks. Will probably check it again today. Glad to see at least
    some of our waters are really getting clean.
    
    BTW-
    Fish report 7/7/88:
    Shrewsbury R. near Highlands bridge- blues from 4 to 10#. Also some
    small stripers that would just slap the plugs but not take the hook.
    All action from dusk to dark.
    
    BBTW-
    re: some other topic...is there now a potential copyright infringement
    on the salty scene??? Who is this BEACH bum??
    BEACH Bagel _who_wants_the_name_of_TBDW's_lawyer_

    TBDW's Lawyer?
    Who is TDBW or TBDW ?
    

    re -1
    Vince...you gotta start reading the other notes in this file :-)
            the 'bassmasters' have been disputing the use of the name
    	    "Wizard" ( and variants there-of) as in _The_Back_Deck_Wizard_
    
    
    As long as I'm here....
    
    Sandy Hook update...All action in the Shrewsbury/SH Bay area.
    		Thurs. evening- blues in the 5# range on swimmers &
    		poppers.
    		Sun. AM...small, repeat small (16-20") stripers at change
    		of tide on redfins.
    
    Bagel

    Hey Bagel....
    
     I have never caught a striper and would like to. I have read that
    fishing redfins and the like as teaser on plugs works. Do you know
    anything about how to rig these. How about leaking some striper
    expertise to a novice in that area.
    
    Thanks
    Bruce

    re:-1
    
    Hmmmm, redfin as a teaser......:-)
    
    
    the usual plug/teaser set up is:
                      /-barrel swivel                     
          main line  /           leader-24-30"                     
    	 -----------O*O---------------------------------<<P-L-U-G>
                      \
                       \ -----leader ~6"
                        \
                         \_<<<  Teaser = bucktail hook,fly,red-gill,pork
    					 rind,twister-tail,etc

    This method of rigging, using (generally) 30# mono works best with
    swimming plugs and metals. This can also be rigged with nylon coated
    wire leader as well. Using this rig, either the plug or the teaser
    may draw the strike, and DOUBLE HEADERS are not unheard of (although
    my experience tells me that you should use a main line heavier than
    8 # test, but that's a story for the 'One that Got Away' note)
    
    An Alternate rigging, for use with popping plugs, (although it can
    work with swimmers):
    
                               leader - <24"
    ----------->>POPPER>o--------------------------()___>
                        ^                            Lead-Head Jig 
                        |                             (small)
                        remove tail hook
    
    
   Note: the first set up can also be used with rigged or live eels
    in place of the plug (Tony Stetzko's(sp?) 73 pounder at nauset a
    few years back hit a black streamer fly ahead of a live eel)
    
    When tying up a (swimmer) rig, use the same leader material for
    both the main lure and the teaser. I usually tie the teaser to the
    aft ring of the barrel swivel. For this connection I tie a perfection
    loop in the end of the leader, push the (leader)loop through the
    swivel ring, pull the teaser through the loop, and snug it down.
    This makes the teaser leader stand off at about 90 deg. and cuts
    down on tangles. Clinch knots and Uni-knots tend to slide on the
    ring. I strongly suggest using a ball bearing barrel swivel, and
    make sure that any hardware (snaps, etc) is BLACK. 
                      
    Another thing to keep in mind is that these rigs do detract from
    the already poor casting characteristics of lipped swimming plugs.
    I try to vary the size of the teaser according to the size of the
    plug- small plug/small teaser.
    
    One caution: if blues are around, either rig with wire, or forget
    the teaser. Not only will they chop off the teaser, but they generally
    get the main leader as well.
    
    Oh yeah...if you use 'flies' as teasers, they don't have to be fancy
    at all. I usually just tie sparse (bucktail or feather) streamers.
    
    Hope this helps. Keep us posted on your striper quest.
    
    Bagel

    Thanks Rich,
    
    The article in the fisherman described a rig like you showed but
    it was not clear to me. It still looks to me like the teaser might
    tangle the main line with a 6 inch leader. I will try it and
    see what happens. I meant redgill not redfin...whatever... they are
    both fish body parts.                                     
    
    Bruce

Bruce....use LEADER MATERIAL...the stiff stuff. Or, Clear Ande in 50
    or 60 # test.
    
    Rich
    

    Oh....AND that's why I mentioned use of a ball Bearing swivel:
    
    when casting, you will notice the teaser twirling. using a bb swivel
    lets the whole rig spin without twisting the line.
    
    Bagel

    Tezza's.  Hmmmm....  How bout tying a Tuna Bird in front of a half
    ounce bucktail as a teeza?  Cast it, and it starts to fly away on
    you.  HA!
    
    
    Ok so I'm in the mood to joke around.
    The joke with you if you cant take a heck.
    
    
    Ok Bagel, here comes the bad news.  Dum Da Dum Dumt  (dragnet theme?)
    Vinnie got skunked over the weekend.  Ommagosh.
    
    I was fishing about 23,  24 miles off the beach for tuna, and the
    only thing that I saw break the water was a whale of about 25 feet.
    It basicaly scared the death out of me, because it surfaced about
    30 feet to my starboard.  From the last inch of his tail to his
    blow spout was as long as my boat (22') and there must have been
    another 3 feet to go to his nose.
    
    I am real curious to know what type of whale this was.  He appeared
    all black on his back, and look to be white about halfway down from
    the top.  Do we have any educated whale enthusiasts out the in "notes
    land" who can take a stab at this one?  Water temp by the way was
    about 70 degrees F.  No tuna, no blues, No Nuttin!  Is it time to
    take up pleasure cruising on my boat instead of fishing? 
    Quick, somebody post a good report to get me through the week.
    
    Vinnie  Who's_line_is_limp

    
       From the description.....Killer whale!

    
    It sounds like a Finn Back Whale.  Finn Backs are common in the
    Atlantic.  They swim along the surface. They can be as long
    as 70 to 80 feet.  If it was a Hump Back, they swim along the top
    like the Finn, but they dive and expose the tail after swimming
    on the surface. I really don't think it was a Killer whale.
    
    	Ken
      

re:< From the last inch of his tail to his
re: blow spout was as long as my boat (22') and there must have been
re: another 3 feet to go to his nose.
re:  I am real curious to know what type of whale this was.  
____________________
WOW COME ON NOW    -----we know what kind of whale that was...
you knoow the kind that scares the fish off. This explains the 
limp line.
great excuse wish I had thought of it.

norm

    Seems like another good reason to keep my toes buried in the sand
    			;-)
    
    BTW....geez, I thought my three bass Sunday AM made for a good trip
    		report....even if they were 'rats'.
    
    Bagel	
    			
                        

    Hey Vinnie, I'm suprised you didn't cast a rig baited with plankton.
    :-)
    
    
    JOE D
    

    R.E. .68   from Norm.
    
    This really is not an excuse for a bad days fishing.  Actually I
    have no excuse.  What kind of whale are you referring to Norm?
    Does this particular type of whale scare the Pelagic species I was
    seeking away?  I am looking for serious answers.
    
    Note:  no flame on here, just trying to be serious.
    
    Thanks for all the help.
    
    Vinnie
    

    re .-1
    
    From my very limited time pursuing the pelagic's, the times I saw
    whales were the most productive.  Other fisherman have also mentioned
    that certain whales and tuna both feed on the sand eels.  So I guess
    the whales won't scare tuna off.  I believe that the smaller (100 or 
    so lbs) tuna's only predators are sharks, larger tuna, killer whales, 
    and man.  And the giant tuna have only man and killer whales to fear.

    
    	About two years ago I went on a charter boat for tuna.  We hit
    a large school of bait.  The air was full of birds and the water
    was full of whales big ones.  I think they were Finn Backs.  We
    then landed a 300 Lb yellow fin tuna.  I have been on whale watches
    recently and learned about them.  I'm not saying I'm an expert but
    we did have luck catching a tuna where the whales were.  We caught
    it south of Block Island.  Also that day we caught about 80 Blues
    in three hours on umbrella rigs trolling. That was a good day of
    fishing.
    
    C ya
    Ken
    

    Hey...Vince, Joe_D, Beach Bum....anyone...
    
    	What, if anyhting is doing along the surf in South Jersey??
    	Is it as quiet as up north ( "Squan to Hook)?
    
    	Things are so bad that htis past weekend I was the only 
    	"regular" to fish the Hook, and I stayed on the Bay side.
    
    Bagel

    Well way down south in the land of.......... well ayway, Surf Fishermen
    are getting a fair share of weaks, and a few blues here and there, and
    still picking steady are the kings.  Deleware bay is having it's
    second run of weakfish, so I think I will save some gas this weekend,
    and run a few miles off Fortesque.  Reports are ranging from catches
    of 30-60 per 3 man team, all fish in the 3-5  pound range, with
    a fair amount of flounder for those who are drifting.  Seems like
    it's going to be another "cooker" this weekend so lets get out to
    the shore and Hook Em'.
    
    Vinnie.
                                                 

    Just got back from two wonderful weeks in Sunny_South_Jersey.  I
    spent several days on IBSP.  Had a few (three) very small stripers,
    all on rigged or live eels.  Kingfishing was very good on Long Beach
    Island, bloodworms and fishfinders. Once I found a hole where there
    Kings, it was productive for several days. We had planned a Tuna trip
    offshore, but the weather was bad that day and the boat was booked
    for the rest of the week.  I bounced around the bay fow a couple
    of days in a rental boat and picked up a few small (15-16") flatties.
    I even spent one night on a head boat, just to remind me how much
    I hated them, although I did pick up about 6, 12-15 lb. blues.
    
    It still feels like I didn't get enough fishing in!  Now I can't
    wait for the fall.
    
    Back_on_the_road_and_real_life
    
    
    JOE D
    
    
    

    re -1
    
    Joe...do you rig the eels yourself or is there a shop down your
    way that sells them rigged?
    I would probably be willing to pay someone to avoid getting slimed
    ;-)
    
    Bagel

    Yo Jersey!
    
    Send those Yellowfin North Already!!!! You've had em long enough!
    
    CC

    Glad to hear you had a good vacation Joe.  I am leaving tonight
    for a week down in Sea Isle NJ.  Got a boat slip down there, and
    I am ready to Kill Em'.  If any of you guys can get a morning off
    next week, come on down and we will go fishing.  I am going to try
    for tuna most of the time, weather permitting, but who knows what
    else can be out there this time of year.  Had a great weekend last
    week, saturday had weeks and fluke out on DE. Bay, and sunday had
    some bluefin and two dolphin near the AC reef site.
    
    A follow-up on a note I had posted earlier regarding the whale I
    had spotted.  Apparently "Sei Whales" (?) have been showing up off
    Sea Isle & Wildwood in large numbers.  This may have been the type
    of whale that I spotted a few weeks back.  They are even running
    whale watching cruises out of Sea Isle.  They estimate the massive
    mammals to be in the 60 foot range. Seems a bit longer than the
    one I spotted however.  Anyone ever heard of a "Sei Whale"?  
    
    If anyone can make it down this coming up week, give me a call today,
    and we will set up a date.  Sorry it is late notice, I was down
    in Williamsburg this week for the VAXcluster symposium. 
    
    Best O' Luck Fishin All.
    
    Vinnie
                                             

    re:eels
    
    Rich, I usually pick up a dozen or two from friends traps or buy
    some live when they are avaliable.  I kill them in brine as soon
    as I get them and freeze in the brine in packs of 2 or 3.  When
    I get to the beach I rig them with block tins and trailer hooks.
    The owner of a local tackle shop showed me how about 5 years ago.
    He also sells REAL block tin squids. If you roll the eels around
    in the sand and use leather gargen gloves they are relativly easy
    to rig.
    
    
    Question: What is your favorite way of rigging live eels?
    
    
    Joe D_who_says_slimey_hands_are_the_mark_of_a_striper_fisherman_or....
    

    re -1
    
    My favorite way to rig eels....
    	
    	1. Let blues destroy rubber Alou Eel.
    	2. Save rigging material.
    	:-)  :-) (grins...but this is fact)
    
        Since I usually rig using the above, ny attempts aren't real
    successful. Given a set length of leader for the tail hook, selecting
    eels at the bait shop is a problem. I use a homemade bait needle
    made from a piece of wire hanger and play proctologist. I end up
    with the squid hook placed anywhere from the lips to just past the
    gills.
    Now.....should I decide to get serious about this....(WHAT!!! Me
    use bait????) who/where is this source of BLOCK TINS?????? Also,
    are styles other than for eel-rigging available? I have 3 block
    tins that were Grandpa's, made looooonnnnngggg ago. I use them once
    a year to make sure they still work, but am paranoid about using
    them. In my opinion, [real] tins will outfish any other metals,
    and a lot plastics.
    
    Bagel
    
    	

    For the uninitiated among us, what are "block tins"?
    

    re: .82    >what are block tins?
    
    Block tins are metal lures used (mainly) for surf casting. These,
    collectively, were the earliest of surf casting lures, and were
    also called 'tin squids' (hence the term 'squidding' and Penn Reels'
    classic "Squidder" model).
    
    The name block tin refers to the material the lures were made of
    which was an alloy of (real) tin. This alloy displayed two properties
    which were ideal for use in lures. First, these lures had a 'soft
    shine' to them. This is hard to explain, but unlike stainless steel
    or chrome plating, it was not shiny like a car's bumper. Rather,
    it was somewhat like the shine on lead. Like lead, the material
    is very prone to tarnishing, but the act of dragging the lure up
    the sand at the end of a retrieve would shine it up. This 'dull
    shine' much more closely resembled the shine of bait fish than the
    popular metals of today.
    The second important property was the softness of the metal. Many
    of these lures could be bent to alter/improve their action. In fact,
    one of the most popular block tins of all time was the "Bent Sand
    Eel". This long, thin lure was mostly straight when purchased, and
    each surfman would bend it to achieve the desired action.
    In addition to the Bent Sand Eel, there were many, many other styles,
    including the Point Judith Spoon, Belmar jigs/spoons, Eda Splune
    (this has evolved into today's Kastmaster), Ed's C, Butterfish,
    etc, etc, etc.)
    One note of additional interest: While metal lures have always been
    thought of as Daytime lures, block tins were often painted (white,
    red/white, yellow) and used equally effectively at night, especially
    when a piece of pork rind was placed on the hook.
    
    Two sources of reference for block tins are: _Striped_Bass_Fishing_
    by Woolner and Lyman, and every few years articles on this topic
    show up in the _Fisherman_.
    
    Oops, almost forgot another "quality" of tins: the alloy is much
    less dense than modern metals, enabling the angler to employ a broader
    range of retrieve speeds without dredging the bottom or outrunning
    the fish.
    
    Bagel 

    I assume block tins used today are strictly home brew, since I haven't
    seen any sold retail. Were they discontinued because they are too
    costly to manufacture and therefore priced too high for what consumers
    are willing to pay....or have the stainless steel chrome-llated
    lure makers just done a better marketing job?

    A block tin squid is a hunk of tin about 2oz. that is cast in the
    shape of ???? I'll try to illustrate below. The nice thing about
    them is the color of the tin is somewhat different than lead.  It
    as an almost irredesient (sp.) sheen that can be restored very easily
    by rubbing it in the sand.  They are also fairly easy to bend in
    order to chance the action of the eel or squid.  There are a lot
    of lead immitations that don't have the same qualities.  Real tin
    is pretty rare.  When I find a source I usually stock up. 
                                  
                                  * * 
           eye for     eye for  *     * hook
            line       tail hook      *
    		0________0___________*
    		\_          _/     
    		  \_     __/
                    \___/
                               
    
    The hook is rigid, the tin is cast around it like a bucktail.
    To rig it you attach a hook to a short piece of squidding line,
    thread it with a long bait needle into the vent of an eel and out
    through the mouth.  You then take the block tin and put the hook
    up through the jaw of the eel and out the upper jaw.  Then take
    the line from the vent hook and tie it off to eyelet in the center
    of the block tin.  On a large eel it helps to tie the mouth closed
    with another piece of line.  Some people even use a long hollow
    tube to remove the backbone before they start the process.(I'd rather
    spend my time fishing).  Since the tin is easy to bend you can change
    the angles of the entire tin to alter the action (something like
    tuning a regular swimming lure.)  This whole process is a lot easier
    if the eel is dead.  :)
    
    
    
    (Rich, if you need some let me know.  I picked some up last year
    and they were about $2.50 each.  The shop is just up the street
    from the office.)
    
    
    
    JOE D

    re: .84
    
    The main reason for the discontinuing of block tins has something
    to do with the price of tin as relates to the wonderful political
    climate in Bolivia, where most tin ore is mined.
    
    Occasionally some "home brewers" come up with enough capital to
    start a business, but no one has really hit it big. 
    Bagel

    The block tin is interesting to me.  In Washington, we use something
    similar in design, but not in shape or to be used with squid.  Let
    me explain.
    
    We have a rig called the "Point Wilson Dart".  It is used for fishing
    for King Salmon in the Puget Sound.  You see it used most frequently
    off of (of course) Point Wilson and Port Townsend.
    
    The dart resembles a candle fish.  If you haven't seen one, the
    candle fish looks a lot like your pen only flattened out a bit.
     It also has striations down the length of its body.  It is not
    scaley and it has a very pretty shine.
    
    The Point Wilson Dart is made to look like the candle fish with
    a single treble hook at the tail.  One usually uses a 2-3/4 oz dart.
    It reminds me of the block tin because it comes flat and then you
    put your own bend in it to get the action.  Some guys use a single
    bend in the middle and some use a double bend to give it an "S"
    effect.  
    
    It is mallable, but doesn't quite feel like lead.  It has an
    interesting glow like you describe on the tin.  I thought that it
    was sprayed on (paint) but it doesn't seem to wear off.  I wondered
    what the metal was, but it never says on the package.  
    
    And like Mr. Horwitz was saying, they paint some white for night
    use.  Most of them also have a green stripe up the back or sometimes
    a black stripe.  
    
    In reading this, I wondered to myself if someone hadn't designed
    the Point Wilson Dart with the block tin in mind.
    
    By the way, it does work.  I nailed 1 20 pounder with one this year
    and I have seen a zillion guys take nice salmon in other boats.
    When I got mine, he must have sucked the whole thing into his mouth.
    Then, when I sunk the hook, it must have slid out of his mouth and
    the trble hook hooked him in both jaws.  The fish couldn't pass
    water over his gills.  He fought for about 2 minutes then just gave
    up.
    
    Brett.  

    By the way, Point Wilson Darts ain't cheap.  They go for about $4.50
    for a 2-3/4 oz. lure.  Is that in the realm of the price of tin?
    
    Brett.
    

    re:.87 + .88
    
    Gee....sure sounds like we're talking 'bout almost he same thing!
    	Especially since your "candlefish" sounds an awful lot like
    our 'sand eel' (a.k.a. sand launce).
    
    	With regards to the price, $4.50 for a (metal) lure of this
     size is not outrageous - maybe a bargain if it is block tin! We
    pay at least that much for stainless or plated lures of equal size.
                                        
    Bagel _cause_Mr_Horwitz_is_my_father_
    

    Sorry Bagel
    
    I tread lightly in this file.  Last time I tried to help be helpful
    in this file the moderator called my friend "fish dick".
    
    I was pointing the $4.50 price tag out because I thought that
    sounded kind of expensive for a lure made of lead and, therefore, it
    might be tin. 
    
    How does this match the Sea Eel:  The candlefish hangs out on the
    bottom.  I guess he hide in little cubby holes.  Then when he sees
    something appetizing swim by, he launches himself out of his hole
    and grabs it.  
    
    In Puget Sound, the Salmon cruise right along the bottom.  They
    see the candle fish jump up and grab them.  The lure, is then jigged
    off the bottom....sort of like a Cod jig.  I have never caught a
    Cod with one of these, though, and there are zillions of Cod in the
    Sound.  
    
    When you jig the lure, you give it a good pull up.  Then it flutters
    down according to the bend you put in it.  Most of the guys I've
    asked say they usually hit the Salmon with the dart on the down
    stroke.  You try and keep the line just short of tight.
    
    Brett.
    
     

    re.90
    
    In regard to the pricing, in all actuality, $4.50 is not an outrageous
    price for ANY lure these days! 
    
    As to the candlefish vs. sand eel, they seem even more of the same...
    	Sand eels burrow into sand bottoms and do come straight up out
    the burrows. In New England people rake them out of the sand (at
    low tide?). Down here in NJ, we often see them in dense schools
    at any depth, and from the surf on out. They are a prime bait for
    just about any sea-going predator, from fluke to stripers to (some)
    tuna.
    
    Bagel

    Hey...JoeD, Vinnie....you guys have been awful quiet here lately!
    	What gives????
    	I figure there are only 3 reasons:
    		1. You're on vacation
    		2. Fishing is lousy (But Vince...I know there's tuna!)
    		3. Fishing is great
    
    	I KNOW why I've been quiet ;-)!
    
    Anything doing down at the Jersey Shore, uh, I mean Jersey Cape?
    
    Rich

    eh yup...ole vinnie must be catching those yellowfin that never
    came north....
    
    Sigh.....................

    Well to be honest folks, I have not seen a Tuna since vacation a
    few weeks ago. (weep weep)  I have been confined to fishing the
    near shore waters, mostly fluke, and weaks.  The parties that I
    have been taking out have a strong disliking to seasickness.  Therefore
    they did not even want to chance a major catastrope.  So I saved
    on gas, right?  I guess.  I did manage to catch a 6 1/4 # fluke
    off the Villas, out in DE bay.  Boy was it nice to stick the fillet
    knife up his back, and get some real fillets.(steaks)  I have another
    party going out tomorrow, and once again we will be sailing into
    the bay.  Tons of weaks out there, but sure are small. 2-3 #'s.If
    the weather holds out and the wife cooperates, maybe, just maybe
    I will get out the the Tuna grounds on Sunday.  Enough about me!
    
    Any keeper bass falling into the hands of the Beach Bagel these
    days?  I must make a promise, to go north around October, and sport
    the surf with you.  I am still looking for a stuffin' size bass
    to put up on the wall ya know.  Seems like Joe D. is still cranking
    em in, huh?....ah.... right Joe?  
    
    Oh yeah,  Cappy Codfish. We took the leashes off the Tuna, and are
    sending them north.  Aint we a bunch of sports.  What a pal what
    a pal.  On the serious side, it may pay to take a drive down to
    North Jersey or NY and take one of these special party boat runs
    for tuna.  They range from around 65-100 bucks, and take out up
    to 20 people.  If you add up a couple flats of butterfish, a mess
    of sand eels, and gas, you might make out better on one of these
    trips.
    
    At any rate, looks like we have got some real fine weather here,
    this weekend, so as I always say
    
    				    LETS GO KILL EM'
    
    
    Good Luck!
    
    
    Vinnie
          

    Yo Vinnie...good to hear from you!
    
    Even with my Popiel Pocket Fish Stretcher I can't manage a keeper!
    
    But there has been enough small stuff to make things interesting
    on light tackle.
    Starting to see some decent size blues ( 10 lbs. +) on same tackle
    which makes for some sore arms  :-).
    I refuse to discuss fluke since they seem to go on strike every
    time I try for them.
    I don't know about Joe_D. Guess when I'm down IBSP way over Labor
    Day I'll have to check the log at Betty&Nicks.
    Stay tuned here for hint's about prime time at the hook...details
    will be discussed via Vaxmail (last time someone openly publicised
    GOOD fishing at the Hook they were found out, located and tarred
    and feathered!)
    
    Bagel
    

    re.-1
    
    Don't bother checking the log.  I just got back from a couple of
    weeks on the road.  Unfortunatly I won't be at IBSP over Labor Day,
    it's time for my semi-annual visit to my in-laws in Maynard.  I
    expect to get a few trips in around 9/8-9/12 if it looks promising.
    
    Has the water been unseasonably cold in New England like it's been
    in New Jersey and Delaware?  Does anyone know what the effect will
    be on the fall run of Stripers and Blues?  The Gulf stream seems
    to be in a lot closer this year.  There is a very cold (56-63) band
    of water between the inlets and about 15-20 miles off.  I wonder
    what that will do to the surf fishing?
    
    PS The 37" limit on stripers doesn't bother me.  If it means there
    will be some 50 lbrs. for my kids to catch.  What are the rule changes
    for the commercial guys?
    
    
    JOE D
    

    re: .96
    
    Don't have all details on the new proposed regs - yet. Hopefully
    I will be at the JCAA meeting tomorrow (8/30) to get the low-down.
    
    BTW- Joe..will you be attending Nat'l. Hunting & Fishing Day @ IBSP??
    	I'm tentatively scheduled to ride with Frank Collura, one of
    the NJBBA directors, but that's only tentative. (I love inviting
    myself...)
    
    Back to the new limit....I think folks are starting to get frustrated
    about the amount of bass landed vs. amount big enough to keep. While
    guys like you and me can get our kicks by just catching, others
    "need" to put something in the cooler. By the way...when your kids
    (or mine) catch those fifties...I want my three jointed Red-Fins
    back!  ;-) ( I gotta start using line heavier than 6#)
    
    Bagel

    Joe,
    
       Water temps around NE have been warmer than usual due to the
    hot weather and constant SW wind direction during Jul and Aug.
    As a result there have been dolpin, wahoo, blue marlin and other
    warm water exotics caught of the shores of southern NE. The
    shore fishing was none  existent until a couple of weeks ago as
    the blues were well offshore with the warm water but in recent
    weeks the beach action has heated up from the reports. Tuna fishing
    remains slow for handliners, but the stick boats have had a banner
    year.
    
    Bruce

    	As already mentioned before, a gill net knows nothing of size
    limits. There is a minimum mesh size but I'm not aware of a any
    maximum. Since stripers run in schools, one strategically placed
    gill net can catch more stripers in a day than most people ever
    will in a lifetime. Most likely a short stripper caught in a gill
    net will be thrown back, but unless it was just caught, it will
    probably be dead. So the higher they raise the limit, the more dead
    fish the gill netters throw back.
    
    	RAYJ

    re: -.1
    
    This only goes to show that gill nets should not be used. I also
    think that there should be no commercial fishing for stripers at
    this time. I don't think that a higher limit is necessary as long
    as recreational fishing (with a 1 or 2 fish creel limit) is the
    only pressure on the resource.
    
    The Doctah

    Re;-1
    
     Doctah,
      I thought it WAS illeagal to comercially fish for stripers.
    
    Jeff = confused????

    re: Proposed New Striper Limit
    
    Last night I attended the JCAA meeting and heard Bruce Freeman,
    NJ Administrator of Marine Fisheries give an (abridged) version
    of the presentation from last week's public hearings on this matter.
    In summary, this is the situation:
    
    	- The females of the 1982 Chesapeake year class have been found
    	  to be only ~45% mature at age 6.25.
    	- The Federal Mandate is to protect 95% of the females of this
    	  ('82) year class until they have spawned at least once.
    	- Growth projections for this group (Chesapeake class of 82)
    	  indicates that to meet 95% protection, by January 1 limit
    	  will have to increase to ~35 inches, and given results of
    	  the Spring '89 spawn, potentially 37-38" by summer.
    	- Since the '82 Chesapeake young-of-year index in '82 of 8.2,
    	  the average for y-o-y index for this population has averaged
    	  4.5. (YOY indices are falling out of favor as an indicator,
    	  but are the easiest study to conduct)
    	- All this effort is admittedly focused on the Chesapeake fish.
    	- The Hudson River fish are in an icredible state of abundance!
    	  (YOY's in the 17 range for several years, faster growing and
    	  maturing earlier)
    	- Chesapeake fish migrate (females only) as far south as N.Carolina
    	  and as far north as Nova Scotia.
    	- Hudson fish migrate south to Barnegat inlet (NJ) and north
    	  to about the Merrimac. (Is this Plum Is.?)
    	- Important to note that it seems only FEMALES migrate. Not
    	  only do males stay home, but few ever get bigger than ~24".
    
    In September, the Marine Fisheries Council (Feds) are meeting in
    Atlantic City to discuss this management plan. At this time, it
    appears that NJ will propose the following plan:
    	- Rather than 95% protection, which is very hard to measure,
    	  establish a MORTALITY management scheme. Present indications
    	  would allow for a 45% mortality rate to enable growth of the
    	  population. This 45% is broken down to ~15-20% natural mortality
    	  (predation, disease, etc) and the balance as fishing mortality.
    	- Each state would recieve a quota of fish (probably by weight)
    	  based on historical catch records. Each state could divide
    	  this quota any way they want (ie, between sports and commercials)
    	- Further, NJ may push for a new size limit: _28_Inches_, with
    	  a 2 fish limit! Coupled with a poundage quota, the stocks
    	  would be strenthened, and enforcement would be viable.
    	- NJ Marine Fisheries realizes (almost) that enforcement of
    	  a larger size limit would be extremely difficult (20 pound
    	  would NOT be legal!). Also, since most of the NJ fishery occurs
    	  on jetties, mortality would probably increase as fish could
    	  not be gaffed, and therefore dragged up the rocks and then
    	  "tossed" back in, subjecting the fish to a lot of trauma.
    	- There is also talk of some "slot" limits, especially for inland
    	  (estuary) fisheries, but the authorities admit that this is
    	  extremely difficult to enforce.
    
    My Opinion:
    After hearing 2.5 hours worth of statistics, etc., it seems to me
    that the mortality rate method seems the way to go. Also, the crowd
    at the meeting seemed to like the 28"/2 fish rule.
    
    Personally, I don't think anyone would be able to enforce a larger
    size limit at this time. Striper management is a very emotional
    issue (at least in NJ), and people are not happy with throwing back
    fish in the 10-13 lb. class now. I don't think many will throw back
    20 pounders, nor does NJ (or many other states) have enough personnel
    to enforce such a limit. Peer pressure has worked real good up til
    now, but the indication is that it will evaporate at 34 inches!
    
    BTW_ due to the strength of the Hudson population, my log shows
    that I have actually caught more stripers than blues this year,
    by a factor of about 4 to 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Bagel

    re: 101
    Sorry Jeff, in very few places is commercial striper fishing outlawed.
    In NJ, there is NO SALE, and NO NETTING (within 3 miles of shore).
    In NY, there is a temporary ban on commercial fishing due to health
    reasons (PCBs).
    In Mass., HOOK and LINE commercial fishing is allowed, I think there
    is a quota of 100,000 pounds.
    Maryland has a TOTAL MORATORIUM on striper fishing, with a LOOPHOLE:
    	fish netted outside of state waters can be landed for brokering
    	for sale outside of Md.
    Va. allows a summer commercial fishery in Chesapeake Bay (small
    males are being taken- this is not prime season here)
    N.C.- allows commercial fishing in Pamlico and Ablemarle Sounds-
    	this is decimating the Roanake Population which is non-migratory.
    
    Bagel
    

    Thanks Bagel for the help on that one. I knew that there were places
    that allowed commercial striper fishing, I just didn't know the
    particulars. and BTW- the mouth of the Merrimack is abutted on the
    south side by Plum Island. Also- there are quite a few large bass
    being caught in Great Bay, New Hampshire this year. They are thought
    to be from the Hudson Bay stocks. New Hampshire bass are relatively
    large compared to the average Massachusetts bass, but are nowhere
    near as plentiful and are correspondingly harder to catch.
    
     I know a couple of old timers that regularly catch stripers in
    their little spots around Great Boars Head in NH. FWIW- Nh's striper
    laws are ok- 33" and two fish/day. It's a good law because not too
    many people catch 2 fish in a day. :-)
    
    The Doctah
    

    Thanks for clarifying that.  Can't imagine anyone making a living
    at it.  I too, would be for a ban on comercial selling of stripers.
    
    Jeff - who learns something new everyday!
    

    re -1
    
    Jeff...
    Since the price for bass (whole) at the co-op down here historically
    was in the $2.50 range (prior to the sale ban) some guys did make
    a good buck off catching them. Back in the seventies, even rod &
    reelers produced stipers "by the box" (box=100#)!
    The whole object is to make them (the fish) that plentiful again.
    
    Rich

    Hi Rich,
      I have many pleasent memories of spending all night on Nauset
    beach with my grandfather in the late 60's and early 70's live lineing
    eels for stripers.  We use to fill our share of boxes back then.
    When I mentioned not being able to make a living at it, I was refering
    to the current situation.  One of my most memorable moments came
    when my older sister caught a 48lb striper on Grampa's boat, she
    was 14 at the time!!!.  The same trip my father got a 52lb.  We had at 
    least 20 fish over 20lbs each.  Are those days gone forever?  Im 32,
    so the year would have been 1967.  Gramps had a slip in Rock Harbor.
    
    Jeff

    re: 107
    Jeff,
    	I DON'T think they're gone forever...probably when you and I
    are Grampas is when we will see a return of that type of fishing.
    Even though Bass are cyclical, I think there is sufficient effort
    and awareness that that this resource MUST BE MANAGED WISELY, and
    I don't think we're too late.
    
    BTW- Glad to see I'm not the only Grandson carrying on the "tradition"!
    	 Unfortunately my Granfather passed away before the boom of
    	 the late sixties and seventies. BUT...since he had the "big
    	 one" while we were packing for a trip to Montauk, I know he's
    	 in the middle of a tremendous, never ending BLITZ!!
    
    BBTW- Funny how nature compensates. (Something about abhoring a
    vacuum?) During the '50s and 60's and 70s, when bass were abundant,
    Blues were almost unknown. Now that bass are down, blues are up.
    Another example of this: I was born (first grandson) the day after
    Grampa's fishing partner died. Somehow I don't think I ever had
    a choice....
    
    Bagel

    Well.......
    It looks like the surf is starting to liven up a bit.
    Saturday AM I received confirmed reports of bluefish in the wash
    at Sandy Hook for 4 days in a row. (Needless to say I guessed wrong
    on Saturday and fished in the river :-(   )
    
    That info, coupled with this nice COOL weather and wind blowing
    from a direction other than south....might be a good week (of course
    my next shot is Saturday.)
    
    Joe_D...is it true that there is mullet in the surf at IBSP????
    		...or do all the shops down there automatically report
    			mullet starting Sept. 1 ? ;-)
    
    Bagel

    Dunno of any other direction other than South when we be talkin'bout
    wind long the Jersey Coast.  
    
    Seems like the wind would never shift.  I counted over 85 days of
    straight south blows over the summer.  Things really got screwed
    up by this need I say more.  I too am kinda anxious to cast a plug
    or two into a good nor'easter.  I think the boat has worn on me,
    and I am now ready to break out the "squidders" and jump in da suds.
    
    We have to get these Jersey DECies together and spend an early morn'
    out on the beach.  Who's got the season buggy permit for IBSP? 
    I have 4wd if I can get a temp permit to get me through the gate.
    Anybody want to make a date?
    
                           Oh..... Yeah....                                  
    
    
    Of course I could not post a regular message and not give a fishing
    report folks...Deleware Bay has proven itself (again) over the past few
    weeks, bringing 61 weaks one day, and 78 on another with some blues
    and fluke mixed in.  The reports coming out of DE Bay are true sports
    fans!  The bay is loaded with baitfish, and I have never seen my
    scope light up like it did the past few weeks with fish.  Bagel,
    keep your eye on the NJ Fisherman DE Bay section.
    
    
    (An almost fished out)  Vinnie
                                  

    re:.110
    
    Vinnie...
    Joe_D has the season tag....I think.
    And now that labor day is past, temp permits should be easier to
    come by, they allow 500 buggies at time onto the park, and it's
    more day-trippers now than weekenders.
    
    Suggest some dates...I'll be willing to hitch a ride!
    
    BTW.... I didn't know you had a 4x4...How about joining NJBBA????
    		I'm sure that Buggy Tag would look really good on your
    		rig, and then the world would recognize you as a dedicated
    		angler.... (some sales pitch, huh?...besides, I only
    		need a few more new-member points to earn my star jacket
    			;-)   )
    Most discouraging event of the season: all that rain on Sunday...pushed
    by a southeaster!
    
    Bagel _who_only_has_wind_burn_on_his_right_side_

    re. last couple
    
    Just got back into town again...
    
    I've been calling Betty & Nicks for the last few days.  They said
    that the action has really picked up in the surf the last few days.
    Frank said they were getting short stripers and plenty of blues
    around 8-9 lbs.  Unfortunatly, my wife has already planned this
    weekend for me.  Unless we have a severe snow storm or a war, I
    will be at IBSP on Monday(9/12).  I'm planning to get there about
    5:30 am.  If you guys want to meet somewhere, let me know.  I'll
    check the notes over the weekend.
    
    BTW-I do have a seasonal permit for IBSP.  I can get them for other
    towns as needed, the cost is pretty reasonable ($5-$25).  Vinnie, if you
    want to go up to IBSP sometime to see if you like it before you
    invest the $125 for a permit, let me know.  
    
    
    I picked up a new Penn surf stick at Zylas over the weekend,  can't
    wait to try it out!
    
    
    JOE D
    

    OK...now that we are (just about) back to a 33" striper limit, what's
    going on guys??? 
    Any and All Jersey reports are welcome!
    
    You tell me your lies, I'll tell you mine  ;-)
    
    Rich

    Lies!   All Of Them.    Lies!
    
    
    Is that a famous quotation?  Sounds familiar.
    
    Well, over the past few (3) weeks, I have actually been out only
    once.  My boat has been put up a few weeks ago, so I hitched a ride
    on a neighbors boat to DE bay (of all places).  He has a 15 foot
    skiff with a seventy on it, and not much hull.  We went out friday
    morn' and the NOAA report sounded good.  Light winds.  You know
    the usual (sure!).  So we left the Maurice river cove with about
    a 2 foot chop on the bay.  We reached our "honey of a hole" about
    45 minutes later to find a 3-4 foot chop.  Soaked to the bones,
    we dropped the anchor in about 14' of water, and marked absolutely
    no fish!  But I was sure that there were fish here (scratching my
    head).  This spot always produces for me.  Well, to shorten things
    up, we caught about 45 weaks no less than 2 pounds each, and some
    going to 5 pounds.  Halfway through our one and a half hour run
    of fish, the good ol' Nor' Easter decided to make it's presence
    a little more known.  She really started to blow, and treated us to
    4' chop, and some 6' ground swells (something tells me I shoulda
    been up with the bagel, Joe D. casting plugs into the wind, and
    not on this teenie little boat).  It was one of the better days
    fishing this year, but I had the death scared out of me on the way
    back in.  If you get a chance, look on a DE bay chart, and you will
    see that from almost any good fishing spot in the bay, you must
    run a nor'east heading back into the Maurice River.  Slam! Head
    first into the chop, while I bailed with half a clorox bottle. 
    It was coming in faster than I could bail it out.
    
    Now for my "lie",  I was really bailing (water) them out of the boat this
    weekend!
    
    I hear things are looking fair to good up north bagel.  I hear-tell
    mullets a runnin all long the beach.  Who's catchin what?
    
    
    Vinnie.
      

    re: .114
    
    Well Vince, look at the bright side...you wisely took a day from
    DEC, caught some fish, and had to battle a nor'easter on the way
    home...
    
    Me????? I've been praying for a 'good' nor'easter for 2 months.
    When one finally decides to show up, when do I notice the breeze?
    Why, when I'm getting on the train into NYC! By then it was too
    late to call in sick. ;-)  Instead, I make the run down to the Hook
    LATE in the afternoon. All the way down (35 miles) I'm checking
    wind direction and strength, and getting excited. I got even more
    excited when I noticed several vehicles with rods in the rack heading
    north with very happy faces behind the wheel. I get into the park,
    meet my buddy, and what happens? The wind is suddenly blowing close
    to a full gale, the surf is somewhat past the condition known as
    'high surf' and it starts to rain! When we checked in at the ranger
    station the report was that bass hit the beach in big numbers all
    day, but we knew it was hopeless at this point. We decided to fish
    the river, but apparently all the little guys had run out to the
    surf to feed and weather out the storm elsewhere. At least I found
    out that my new rain parka was water-tight. We packed it in when
    the wind hit ~30 kts. and the hot soup ran out.
    Sunday I went down to check things out, only to find the surf was
    still too strong and to dirty to fish. 
    Of course now I have to figure out when I can sneak down there this
    week.
    
    BTW, have you heard anything from Joe_D? There has been so little
    news from Island Beach I figure its either dead or a blitz.
    
    Bagel

    It's been a very difficult couple of weeks.  My last trip out was
    on 9/19, on the way to the beach the oil pump in my truck decided
    it was gonna stop pumping.  After getting towed and $236 we made
    it to IBSP, reports from everyone on the beach were, "you shoulda
    been here a couple of hours ago".  We then proceeded to get stuck
    in the sand when one of the front hubs disinegrated.  Because of
    the overall situation we left the beach after fishing a few hours.
    On the jersey pike the damage caused by the oil pump earlier in
    the day became obvious.  A rod bearing let go and punched a hole
    in the side of the block.  I picked up the truck on friday ($2K)
    and planned to go fishing Sunday.  Saturday night I noticed a puddle
    of anti-freeze under the radiator.....(starting to sound like a
    grade B movie plot isn't it!)  If it's at all possible I'll be at
    IBSP the end of the week.  If you guys want to meet there let me
    know (bring your own shovel and tow rope).
    

    re -1
    Gee...and one of my reasons for Surf fishing was because it was
    much less expensive than maintaining a boat
    
    			;-)   ;-)   ;-)
    
    
    Rich

    
    
    
    
    
    		ARE WE HAVING FUN YET???

    I looks like I'm back into my fall routine, finally.  I hit the
    beach on fri 10/14,  from first light to about 3 PM there were blues
    everywhere.  Between me and my partner we caught and released about
    80 fish.  They were all in the 12-16lb range.  During a lull in
    the action at slack high water, I cast netted some butterfish and
    live lined them.  This seemed to bring the blues back in.
    
    One interesting note, during the day there were no birds working
    the water, but the slicks were a dead giveaway.  There were fish
    under every slick.
    
    Their lure preferance seemed to change during the course of the
    day, for a while metals did the trick then poppers and finally
    swimmers.  It was a great day to test plugs!
    
    JOE_D_suffering_from_the_best_kind_of_back_pain_known_to_man
    

re: .119
    Sooooo that's where the blues are....
    
    Joe, how about a little more G-2? I think I'm heading down to hoof
    it at IBSP on Wednesday. What area did you fish, I have finally
    learned what "A-xx" means down there. (or doesn't it
    matter?) Also, can you snag butterfish or is a cast net mandatory
    (we don't see them very often on the north coast)?
    Also, is the park in full fall color yet? The hook was looking pretty
    good this week.
    BTW- action at the hook is kinda slow. Sunday we had a brief shot
    at schoolies (26 -30") at first light. It lasted just long enough
    for everyone (4 rods) to land 1 each.
    
    Bagel

    Rich, I'm going to be out of townfor a couple of days, if I can
    get back by tuesday night I'll meet you there and save you some
    wear and tear on the soles of your waders.
    
    Most of the action was between the first buggy road and the north
    beach house.  Your best bet would be to park at the beach house
    parking lot and work north from there.
    
    The Axx refers to the access paths from the parking areas along
    the road. A1 is the path near the north beach house and A23 is at
    the end of the paved road.  There are usually signs in the parking
    areas and on the beach.  Since I've installed LORAN in the truck
    I don't use those references too much.
    
    BTW I never tried to snag butterfish.  They were so close in you
    might be able to snag them.
    
    JOE D
    

    re: .121
    Thanks Joe... 
    	If you do get down, I'll probably be parked at the 1st beach
    house. Current vehicle is a light brown Colt Vista Wagon. NJBBA
    plate #603 will be on the dash board. If I'm on the sand, look for
    a guy ~6', wearing a green cap w/gold logo, and a red windbreaker.
    
    Hope you make it.
    Rich
    

    Oooooh....I Cant Stannnnd It!
    
    Go on mate, wind me up.  Sounds like things are really happn' in
    the suds.  If I would have known Wednesday was going to be a "fish"
    day for you guys, I would have planned to have off.  I keep saying
    I am going to get up there and sling plugs with you guys, but so
    far no luck.  Slight possibility for Sunday morn' however.  Joe,
    my vehicle has an expired registration currently, and I am wondering
    if they will still give me a permit (3day) at IBSP.  I will not
    be able to get the vehicle inspected until next week sometime, and
    would hate to get all the way up there and get turned down.  Do
    they check reg's?  Looks like we need some mo no easters folks.
    Any comments on the permit would be appreciated Joe.
    
    Bagel.  Seems like you should be heading south on the parkway there
    bud.  Crank em in, and let me know how you make out.  Best of luck!
    
    
    Vinnie    Who_lost_his_waders_in_the_move.
                                              

    Vince, they do check to see that you have a lisence plate and
    registration card, but I never noticed if they looked at the  exp
    date.  If you are going up sunday morning, I have two suggestions.
    There is a limited number of three day permits (50).  Permits expire
    at midnight on the third day after you get it.  If the park is very
    busy (ie good fishing) it's best to get there as early in the morning
    as possible, the avaliable permits go fast.  You can also call the
    gate the night before and the rangers will tell you how many permits
    are presently avaliable and how many will become avaliable at midnight.
    If those numbers add up to less than 7-8 you have to get there at
    midnight, there are usually a few people waiting when its busy.
    The phone at the gate is 201-793-5400.  If all else fails you can
    pay the $3 drive-in fee and walk to the beach.  In most areas its
    about 50-100 yards from the parking areas to the surf.  If you do
    that follow the parking advice I gave Rich.
    
    One thing the rangers ocassionaly check is your safety equipment,
    especially if they do not know you.  If you need a list of what
    is required let me know.
    
    BTW-You didn't miss much on Wed.  We had moderate NW winds and very
    high surf.  Never even spotted a fish.
    
    
    Hope this info helps-let us know how you do
    
    
    
    JOE D
    

    A slight correction to the previous... walk-on fee is $2/car.
    
    I guess I should apologize to Joe_D for bringing my jinx along.
    Seems the fish can tell the second I cross the Manasquan and they
    all take off. With my luck, there was probably 8 hours of blitz
    up at the hook! ;-)
    
    But...I'm willing to try again.
    
    Bagel
    

    Can anyone (like Joe_D) verify the reports coming from IBSP???
    
    Not that I have the time to get there, but there is always the
    possiblity of a severe case of the 24 hr fish flu.
    
    Bagel
    

    What reports?
    
    My last trip was 11/25/88.  There were lots of very big blues feeding
    on top of the outer bar.  They would wander inside on occasion.
    Most of the blues were taken on mullet held close to the bottom.
    Metals and other traditional plugs wouldn't produce anything. (Could
    the cold water be slowing them down?)  I did here of several nice
    size keepers being taken during the night, but I didn't see any.
    IBSP usually produces Stripers until Christmas (my last one in 87
    was on dec.18).
    
    I'm gonna try to get out next thur or fri.  I'll let you know.
    
    
    Not_Done_Yet     JOE D
    

    Well.....Here we are 11 days from the un-official opening of the
    flounder season (St.Patty's Day). Until now, water temps have been
    holding right around 40 deg., lots of sunny days, I'm getting pumped!
    So what does Mother Nature do?  Right now we're getting about 4"
    of snow, which should send both the flounder and the water tmps
    right back into the bottom.
    Looks like another 2 weeks of cabin fever.
    
    Bagel
    

    That also means the whiting and the ling head for deep water and
    a longboat ride to go get them.Think sunshine Bagel!!
    
    The Fishin-Technician
             Irv

    HEY JOE....VINNIE....
    
    You guys fishing yet????
    
    Vince...I would guess by now you got a freezer full of mac's.
    
    Joe...Anyhting doing down at Island Beach?
    
    My guess is we're only about 2 weeks (3 most) away from blues. Had
    some *un*confirmed reports of blues up in Raritan Bay this weekend.
    
    Yo...Irv...your boat-buddies have any reports?
    
    Bagel  

    No, I haven't been out yet.  We are caught up in the Q4 turmoil.
     It looks like it will be next week before I see the beach.
    
    All of the talk around here the past few weeks has been about the
    Delaware river coming to life the past few years.  It seems that
    the 53 lb. Striper report has confirmed what a lot of people have
    been saying for awhile.  A friend of mine was fishing the lower
    Delaware last week and had 4 Stripers (16-21 in.)  He said that
    he would have had more but the catfish and perch were taking the
    bait.  BTW the only way they could get any Stripers was with
    bloodworms.  No other baits or lures worked.
    
    
    I'll let you know how it goes next week.
    
    
    JOE D
    

    As of this weekend, the BLUE season is officially upon us!
    
    I got out Sunday AM, and after spending 3 1/2 fishless hours at
    Sandy Hook, I decided to check out Union and Pebble Beaches, which
    are about half-way home along Raritan Bay. No-one
    was fishing at Union, but as I pulled up at Pebble, there was a
    guy loading some 5-6 lb blues into his truck.
    
    I grabbed my rod and walked out to the bay. First cast with a Polaris
    type plug drew a solid hook-up on the third pop. What a way to start
    the season! (could only be better if it was a striper). Had a total
    of 4 fish in about an hour. 
    
    Bagel

Hey Bagel

Any word on the yellowfin down your way yet?  

Anxiously waiting 
Joe

    re -1
    
    no TUNA news yet...latest rumor is some boats running to the canyons
    for shark.
    
    Will keep you posted
    
    Bagel

    Hey you Joisey guys-
    
     How far are you people from little Egg Harbor? I may be going down
    there for a weekend this summer. Any help with the proximity to good
    fishing areas would be appreciated.
    
    The Doctah

    Yo Doc-
    
    I'm about 100 miles north of Egg Harbors (Great and Little), but..
    
    That area offers a fair amount of decent saltwater fishing. If you
    have access to a small boat, there are a all kinds of bays, sounds
    and thorofares between the mainland and the barrier islands. The
    most popular species in here for the summer are fluke, small blues,
    and small weakfish. If they decide to show up this year, blowfish
    may be available by the bushel. 
    
    Along the barrier islands, there are several inlets that can be
    fished from shore, especially Corson's Inlet which has a state park
    on its north side. Basically the same species as in the bays.
    If you run up to Absecon Inlet, there are some good sized stripers
    that hang around the jetties and bridges all season. But this would
    be a test of your dedication to fishing....Absecon Inlet is the
    northern boundry of Atlantic City.
    
    Most of the shore towns have one or two party boats availble. The
    main targets for them are fluke, blues and seabass. Further south
    at Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Cape May, there are larger party
    boat fleets that offer trips day and night, of 4, 6, or 8 hours.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Bagel

    re:blowfish
    
    	I caught one of these in Sandy Hook bay one time and threw it
    back. I never knew they were that good eatting (it was only about
    8" long). 
    
    	I was very impressed however at the size of the dentures in
    that little mouth. Looks like they could inflict some real damage
    if they latched on to you.
    
    	RAYJ

    Thanks, Bagel.
    
    Where's Vinny? (Gone fishing? :-)
    
    The Doctah

    re: .137
    
    RayJ...
    Blowfish are indeed good to eat. BUT (actually 2 'buts')-
    	Cleaning blowfish is a pain. The edible portion are the two
    	pieces of meat along the back towards the tail. To get them,
    	you have to skin the fish and lift out the "drumsticks" (that's
    	what the meat looks like). The problem is that their skin is
    	incredibly tough, and feels like 50 grit sandpaper. This skin
    	rapidly dulls your knife and removes layers of your skin.
    
    	The second but- Like most members of the puffer family, the
    	guts tend to be poisonous! Don't feed the guts to anyone/anything.
    
    
    Bagel

    If Memorial Day weekend is any indication, it looks like we might
    have a pretty good surf season this year in North Jersey.
    
    Friday AM we had blues up to 10+ pounds in the Shrewsbury R., with
    some stripers up to 26" mixed in.
    
    Saturday (according to reliable hearsay) was the same. Also on Saturday
    AM, blues were thick at the Sandy Hook rips.
    
    Sunday the action in the river slowed, only because we couldn't
    cast 7/8 oz plugs into a 20 knot nor'west wind.
    
    Monday was very slow...only a couple of hook ups in the river. One
    blue estimated at 15 lbs. ran me downtide about 300 yards before
    spitting the hook.
    
    Also on Mon., as my partner and I were having a cup of coffee late
    in the morning, we noticed a guy fighting a fish on the (ocean)
    beach right in front of us. A second look saw blues busting into
    schools of bunker. Unfortunately, neither of us can move quickly
    on a soft beach while wearing waders. By the time we fired off casts,
    the blues and bunkers had moved well out of range.  The bunker however,
    seemed to be in small schools, that stretched out over a couple
    of miles of shoreline. After not seeing a single bunker all last
    year, we were real happy to have them back. Guess I'll have to sharpen
    up my snatch hook and tie some live-line leaders.
    
    Bagel
    
    P.S.
    	JOE_D.... Any truth to the rumors of blues blitzing at Seaside
    and Normandy Beach???

    The season has started with a bang this weekend.  I was out at IBSP
    on Fri.  I watched a guy take two keepers on live herring 20 min.
    apart.  We were fishing the end of the north jetty at dead low tide.
    I picked up a few blues on bucktails and metals.  Where and how
    do you get live herring (cast net, snag or purchase), I have a live
    well in the truck so keeping them should be no problem.  I talked
    to Frank at Betty & Nicks Monday night.  He said the blues had been
    blitzing both Seaside and IBSP all day Monday.
    
    
    Looks like I'll have to go tomorrow.................
    
    
    JOE D
    

    Well folks, Vinnie C. made his first trip this year. Finally!  I
    left cape may around 5 pm yesterday afternoon bound for brown shoals
    DE bay.  An hour and a half went by with now even a snag.  Then
    I got a call on the VHF from a charter skipper freind of mine to
    head south abobout two miles or so.  Hot Dang!  Marked em' from
    25 feet on down to 75 feet thicker than georgia clay.  Bigguns too!
    I got 6 big weaks smallest of 9#'s and my lifetime high of 16.5
    pounds.  I broke out in a cold sweat when I heard the drag sing,
    and I knew right then that this was the biggest fish I would ever
    pull out of the bay.  
    
    I am real happy to hear everyone else is having a good start.  kepp
    up the good work, and keep em' tight!
    
    Vinnie C.
    

    Vinnie-
    
     Can you describe your methods for catching weakfish, for those of us
    northern guys who don't see any?
    
    The  Doctah

    Vinnie & The Doctah-
    
    What is a weakfish, for those on the West Coast?
    
    Ken

    Weak fish, alsoo known as sea trout and speckled trout and squetaug
    (sp?).
    
    
    Capt. Codfish

    re: .145
    
    
    Bruce...you missed a name....GRAY trout down in Virginia and the
    Carolinas.
    
    Bagel

    Spotted sea trout is the name for the subspecies that lives in the
    southern US range.
    
    Gray trout is the name for the subspecies (of sea trout) that lives in
    the more northerly range (also known as weakfish). While substantially
    similar, the gray trout grows to a larger size. Large weakfish are
    sometimes called tiderunners.
    
    I believe that the correct spelling is "squeteague," Bruce. BTW- is
    that Grady wet yet or what?
    
    The Doctah

    The grady is wet then some...will take you out soon.
    
    Capt. Codfish

    How does one go about catchin one of dese weakfish the Doctah asks.
    Actually it varies throughout the year, and geography.  The most
    famous place to carch the big spring spawnning weakfish (tiderunners)
    is Delaware Bay.  Down here we bucktail em'.  Depending on tides,
    and depths, a half ounce to 3 ounce bucktail is used.  Different
    colors, and shapes, but the plainer the better.  I like white on
    white, with a 9" purple worm attached.  This is the most popular,
    and also most productive.  Down this way, we also use sheddar crab
    to sweeten the offering.  Sheddar crab are crabs that are in the
    process of shedding their old shell, leavine a leather-like shell
    under the old one.  The weaks kill for em'.  To describe the art
    of bucktailing would take forever, but try a book from John Demaio
    ?? called using the bucktail, or something like that.
    
    Further up the jersey coast, folks use plugs, metals, blood and
    sandworms, sandeels and on.  But this is generally a different type
    of fishing for the most part Doc.  
    
    If you ever get the chance, make the trip to the delaware bay, in
    late may, early June.  You have about a four week window to get
    a once in a lifetime tiderunner, of which catching just one would
    be worth the trip.  People actually come from all over the country
    to get in on this very special chance in may and june every year.
    
    Not all the big ones stay in delaware bay however.  Right Bagel????
    Some move up the coast towards the "hook" and on out to Montauk.
    There you really have to work for one.  
    
    Give it a shot some time.  
    
    Looks like Sunday late evening is going to be my next trip out for
    the tiderunners, and probably my last as they will very soon be
    moving out of the spawning grounds any day now.  If anyone is
    interested, I will leave a message.  And maybe even a picture of
    Vinnie will show up in the NJ Fisherman with his 16 plus weak in
    the next month or so.
    
    Great Fishing Folks !
    
    Vinnie C.
    

    OKAY!!!! 
    Now that summer is over, what the heck is goin' on?????
    
    Joe_D, last we spoke you were headed to LBI....any results?
    		Has I.B.S.P. turned on yet? Any truth to the reports
    		that all the action is on bait...or do Betty
    		& Nicks have too many mullet in the freezer?
                                              
    Vince...Are you still out there? Anything going on at the Cape?
                                                  
    I'll offer what I know:
    
    		Blues are still the main attraction in N. Jersey. All
    		boats are doing pretty good a short ride from the dock.
    		No great blitzes on the beach yet...Sunday there was
    		one school running (north!!) along the beach. I managed
    		to take one 6 lber. before they were out of range. Last
    		Wednesday I took a couple of teen-size blues from the
    		Shrewsbury River.
    
    		Stripers are still spotty and small along the Hook.
    		Biggest I took all season (over 30 fish so far) was
    		32 inches back in June.
    
    		Fluke:  What's a fluke?
    		
    		Lots of porgies in Raritan Bay, along with the start
    		of the blackfish (tautog). Saw 3 guys fill a bucket
    		with blacks at Spring Lake Fisherman's Jetty on Sunday.
    
    Bagel

    Anyone still alive out in 616 land???
    
    
    Vinnie C.
    

    
    The New Jersey coast is still here but will be missing one of the
    people that always kept us up to date on what was going on in the sport
    that he enjoyed the most.
    
    		NYJMIS::HORWITZ "Beach BAGEL"
    
    Rich died on sunday. He always had time to share his experiences with
    people here in the notes conference and his friends in the office.He
    was always active in trying to protect out fisheries and the interests
    of the sportsman.He was active in the New Jersey Beach Buggy
    Association and Suburban Rural Fisherman International (SURF).
    
    I'll miss his stories and his knowledge of the sport.
    
    Tight Lines and a never ending beach blitz.
    
    Irv "the fishin-technician" Luizza

    I am really sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to maybe meeting
    up with him this summer in NJ.
    
    In the same vein but with a better outcome is the heart attack Steve
    Prunier had about ten days ago. He hasn't been active for a while
    in this notes file, but I think a bunch of you may know him. He is
    recouperating well and is looking forward to going home from the
    hospital at the end of this week.
    
    Steve

 Bummer. I always liked reading the Bagel's notes. I'm going to miss him.

 The Doctah

    So sorry to hear about "Beach Bagel".  I too have always enjoyed
    reading his inputs from the good old Jersey Shore.  I'm not trying to
    be morbid but what happened? 
    
    I'm sure that he will be missed!
    
    				Bart Lasky

    wow... it's almost hard to believe... he's been a frequest contributor
    for quite some time... he will surely be missed...  donmac

    re:.152

    	I'm very sorry to hear this. This comes as a real shock. Is this
    from an illness that was going on for a while or was it heart attack or
    an accident ??? With all his activities I would have thought him to be
    in pretty good shape (i.e. like the 1 mile walk on beach sand to get to
    the end of the hook). 

    	Being that I spent 5 years in N.J., I've had the opportunity to fish 
    with Rich a few times. We both worked out of the Somerset office (going 
    back a ways) for a while till he went north to Parsipany.

    	Some of you may recall my story of the first time I went fluke
    fishing and I kept instinctively trying to do a hard hook set on a soft
    jawwed fish. I literally ripped a fishes lips off as I had a set of
    them hanging off my hook when I brought my line in one time. I was with
    Rich and a friend of his in small boat we rented near Sandy Hook at the
    time. Funny, I honestly can't remember the first time I had sex but I
    have vivid memories of my first time fluke fishing. Guess that says
    something about my priortites.

    	For the ones that didn't get to meet him, his notes were
    representative of what he was like. A knowledgeable fisherman with
    patience, willing to share his fishing knowledge and time with others. 
    His passion for the sport was more than obvious. He will be sorely missed 
    by myself and others I'm sure.

    	Is it possible to get an address to at least send a sympathy card
    to ? 
    
    	RAYJ

    Why do I find it so hard to believe that someone I never met face to
    face has died?
    
    And why do I find this so saddening?
    
    Well, my impressions of Bagel were that he was a very enthusiastic
    fisherman who had a great love for the *sport*.  As I recall, he always
    welcomed others to join him......at least in spirit if not in person.
    
    Wherever his spirit goes, I hope they have a place where he can throw
    his block tins at the big ones!
    
    /brett
    
    p.s. Yes, please post an address.
      

It's always a shock to hear of the sudden passing of someone you know, 
even if only through an electronic medium like this. It says something 
for the uniqueness and value of us all that we each feel diminished by 
the passing on of a single one. 

Naturally we all would like to know about the circumstances. It's a part
of normal concern. But if there is some reason or desire to maintain
privacy, we'll certainly respect that too. 

Ed

    De "Beach Bagel" wuz wun ob de best an will always be de best wit all
    ob us!! Me, I jes wish we cud had fished together...
    
    RIP, mon ami!
    
    Coonass

     Like a lot of us, I never met The Bagel, but I've profited from his
    wisdom, kindness and gentle sense of humor.
     Rich did more than just love fishing, he gave of himself to make it
    better for others.
     If we are measured by how we live our life on earth, Rich need never
    look back. He was a sportsman whom I would be proud to emulate.
    
    Jack (The Skoal Bandit) Varley

      Like everyone else, I too was stunned to hear about Rich. I was 
    reminded of a notes "conversation" that he and I had about striper
    fishing.  I had mentioned how I use to fish with my Grandfather in 
    the late 60's and early 70's during the "good" years.  He made the
    comment that his Grandfather died just before the big striper years
    but he figured he was up there somewhere still plugging away.  I'd like
    to think that now there up there together, one fight'n the fish, while 
    the other watches with a big grin on his face. 
    
     Really makes ya think...
    
    Jeff

    
    Just yesterday morning, I had parked my car at the Percy Priest dam and
    was looking out at a very wind-whipped lake ... breakers of a foot or
    two.  I was watching a group of anglers wading out into the "surf" and
    wondering if they were "surfcasting" for stripers.  I thought about the
    Bagel and the other Jersey boys and was wondering if they would like
    surfcasting for Stripers in freshwater and realized it had been a while
    since I had seen an entry from Rich.
    
    I don't speculate about an afterlife but I hope it exists for folks
    like the Bagel whose love of sport and ability to communicate that love
    have kept me from despair through the long northern winters via this
    file. 
    
    My TA hat's off to the man.
    
    -SSS-

    
    Rich Horwitz "Beach Bagel" died of Cancer. He was, in the truest sense,
    a friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. 
    
    S.U.R.F. Inter. will be accepting donations for an education fund for his
    two daughters. If you would like to make a donation, contact one of the
    following:  Jim Wilder @LYF,  Bill Howell @LYF, Miki Kozo @PCO, or
    Rich Smith @PCO.
    
    Condolence can be sent to the following address:
    
      Mrs. Sue Horwitz & Family
      1213 Broadway Ave.
      Rahway, N.J.  07065
    
    
    Regards
    
      

    
    It's been too quite form the Garden state lately in the conference.
    Not so much as a word from the surf at Sandy Hook state park or from the 
    boats out at the Mud Hole.Maybe a word from some one who has taken the 
    long trip to the new hot spot for this seasons tuna run at the 30
    Fathom Lumps.Maybe a tale from someone who has taken a blue fishing
    trip and did a catch and release of 150 slammer thoothy critters.
    
    The words from the New Jersy fisherman in the conference have been too
    Quite for Too long let's make some noise out there.
    
    Don't hear much about the New York fishing here either.
    
    /Irv

    I did venture out on the party boat Saturday eve. from Atlantic
    highlands again.  Well the blues "were on vacation"; a packed boat, 80
    or so folks less than a dozen or so fish caught.  My one and only, the
    first one caught came in second in the pool again.  Guess he lost too
    much blood after swallowing the hook!
    
    Will keep you posted on future outings.
    
    Allan 

    That's because no one stepped up to take Bagel's place yet.
    
    

 Help us out, Vinny!