Hermine wreaks havoc on Jersey fishing scene

I hope you are not expecting a glowing report on the quality of the salt water fishing here in New Jersey and the Delmarva. Hermine (what’s with that name anyway?) certainly put almost a total stop to the fishing for close to a week. Yes, there is a cadre of diehards that love to fish in breaking surf or roiling inlets, but even they had little to report.

So, this probably is a good time to get caught up on some general news. Of most importance is the beginning of New Jersey’s striped bass bonus tag program. By obtaining one of these tags you are able to keep a bonus slot bass of at least 24-inches but not more than 28-inches. This is in addition to the state’s normal rules allowing one fish of at least 28-inches to less than 43-inches and another of 43-inches or longer.

To obtain your tag just go to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website and fill out the form. Once you get a bonus fish you will need to apply for another tag. That address is: www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bonusbas.htm. The bonus program runs through the last day of the year.

There was a regular meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council this past week but most of the agenda items centered around commercial fishing. One item of concern is what looks to be a 30-per cent slashing of the summer flounder quota in 2017. That probably will not become official until later this year or early next. How to reach that goal will make for some interesting debates. It could take the form of a shorter season, radical size limit changes or smaller bag limits, or a combination of all of the above.

Speaking of summer flounder, New Jersey’s flattie season closes on September 25 so you still have about two weeks to get some filets for the freezer.

One of the shore’s most popular surf fishing tour- naments begins the day after the flounder season closes and runs through November 13. That event is the Atlantic County/Atlantic City Surf Fishing Derby. It always draws some of the best surf anglers from New Jersey and neighboring states. Back in the 70’s I was involved in helping promote the contest, working with my friend and tournament founder, the late Ed Conesky.

I recall one year fishing near Steel Pier and not getting a tap. Then, someone drove up in his buggy, got out and made one cast and hooked up the fish that won that year’s contest. I guess there is no justice! Most every tackle shop on Absecon Island has the entry forms.

Fishing in Delaware and Maryland was just as affected by Hermine as New Jersey. A few small croakers and spot were taken around Indian River Bay but there is not much else to report.

I do know that the back waters are teeming with a big variety of bait and that should keep the bay fishing good for some time. I know there is bait because I had to clean the residue of a hapless peanut bunker that met its fate at the hands of a gull on the deck of the Golden Girl.

In addition to the bunker you can find mullet, spot, sand eels, herring and minnows. All of that is usually being chased by small bluefish. I find that these snapper blues make an excellent bait, especially for large flounder.

One thing I know that has not been affected by Hermine is the crabbing. I watched a pair of ladies having a great time netting blue claws under Ocean City’s 34th Street Bridge this past Tuesday. I assume the quality crabbing also extends into Delaware and Maryland.

On the bright side, as of my deadline for this week’s column there are no signs of any coastal storms so hopefully next week we can get back to reporting on some good catches in the waters of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.