Had the Joe Fodero party out for our final Fluke trip of the season. The weather gods saw fit to give us fair drifting conditions with an east/northeast wind and a 1.5 hour incoming tide then an outgoing tide. If we would have been able to keep 16 & 17" fish, our party would have put 41 keepers in the box, but because of the ridiculous size reg's, we wound up with only 2 keepers, and a few robbins.
Boy, the federal and state officials really know how to put hard working people out of business. And to really get everyone's goat, they decide to close down the fluke season on the Friday before a 3 day Labor Day weekend..............absolutely asinine!
How about a little help for our depressed industry? I't would be nice if Monmouth County officials advertised the great fishing here at Sandy Hook. We have the greatest variety of fish available to the largest concentration of anglers in the tri-state area. Has it occurred to anyone that millions of recreational dollars are available from the sale of: gas, bait sales, rods/reels and tackle sales, boat sales, marina fees, party boat and charter boat revenue, hotel/motel accommodations and on and on. I think you get the picture. If the old adage "money talks, b/s walks" then why isn't the revenue generated by the sportfishing/boating industry pulling any weight?
How about an advertising campaign by the M/C Chamber of Commerce about the fabulous fishing available in our area for starters? Think about the millions of dollars that could be flowing into NJ and especially Monmouth County. I've been a resident of NJ my entire life. I could have moved away many times, but NJ has outstanding fishing and honestly, I love what I do. BUT, it's a very hard way to make a living with all the roadblocks that I'm forced to accept.
Depleted fishery resources? Best available science?..........sorry that's not good enough. We have the brains to put men on the moon, but the best answer I'm given is "best available science"! Why doesn't someone come down to my boat and explain to a 12 year old boy or girl about "best available science" Hey guys look........it you want us off the water that bad, then I have an idea. BUY ME OUT!!!!!
Maybe it's time to call President Obama about a "stimulus package" for the charter and party boat businesses. It's a shame that I have to find some way of generating revenue for the next 2 months or so in order to keep my business solvent. What a joke!!!! Sorry guys, but this has been building up in me for a looooong time.
Let's go Weakfish.
Tight Lines,
Capt. John