MOTHER Nature is giving us a break this weekend and with temps going above the 60-degree mark, anglers should take advantage of this early spring gift.
The western end of Long Island and into the lower New York Harbor has been quiet except for a few big blackfish being caught at 17 fathoms. I’m told there are not many taugs, but those that are being caught are large.
The other news comes from the eastern end of the island where Montauk boats are into some very nice cod action.
Last weekend, the Viking Fleet out of Montauk scored more than 60 cod for one trip, along with 35 pollock and lots of ling. The charter boat Capt Mark fished local waters and six anglers lifted 32 keeper cod to 47 pounds and dozens of ling. It’s been a while since we heard of cod fishing this good.
Early this week, beach walkers along the South Fork were rewarded with a rare sight. A right whale (there are only 300 or so left in the world) heading east from Southhampton to Montauk hugged the shore line the whole way.
Saltwater anglers are in for some more changes this season involving cod, winter flounder and black sea bass.
The changes made by New York’s DEC bring us in line with the requirements of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commissions Interstate Fishery Management Plans. They are effective March 15.
The minimum size limits for cod and haddock are reduced to 22 and 19 inches, respectively.
The winter flounder minimum length is increased to 12 inches while the possession limit is decreased to 10 fish per day. The season has been changed as well. Instead of the third Saturday in March, the season now starts April 1 and closes May 30. There will be no fall season, which used to run Sept. 15-Nov. 30.
For black sea bass, the open season is increased to year-round, eliminating the current Dec. 1-31 restriction.
For the oyster toadfish, new recreational and commercial regulations are imposed, including a minimum size limit of 10 inches, possession limits of three fish recreational or 25 fish commercial, and a closed season May 15-July 15.
New York’s party and charter fleets are now required to carry an on-board observer and to report catch and effort information when requested to do so by the DEC or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Upon notice by DEC, all licensed party and charter boats will be required to submit Fishing Vessel Trip Reports for each for-hire trip.
The NMFS’s Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey estimated that over a half-million anglers made more than 4.6 million fishing trips in New York’s marine waters in 2004. A New York Sea Grant study estimates that the saltwater fishing industry contributes over $1.3 billion to the state annually and supports 21,000 jobs.
Politicians should remember these numbers every time the NMFS looks to cut back on recreational fishing. Just look what they’ve done to summer flounder fishing.
