Asbury Park 8th ave jetty: The power of one - How one guy made a difference

[DarkSkies]

There are many old salts out there who know this story. It's a story that has been told countless times, both on the internet and off.

However, as time passes, we tend to take some things for granted.

We take for granted the fact that the big bass come to Monmouth and Ocean Counties every year, chasing the big bunker onto the beach.

That wasn't always the case, because the bunker up until the 90's were targeted by commercial netters and spotter planes off the coast of NJ. Whenever there was a large school and a chance to catch cow bass, the netters came in and removed the bunker.

It's through the efforts of people like Finchaser. Joe Melillo, Surfwalker and many of the other unsung guys who did their part, to band together with the JCAA and fight the 11 year fight to get those bunker boats pushed off the beach.

Now, when you do see those large bass come in, in the Spring, you have the guys above to thank for it. We would never have the world class Spring bass fishery we now have if it weren't for them. :clapping::clapping:

[DarkSkies]

In the post above I outlined what progress can be made when a group of concerned anglers work together.

Now I'll try to illustrate the progress that was made when one guy decided changes needed to be made, whether people agreed with him or not.

[DarkSkies]

I should state that I got bits and pieces of this story from some of the guys who were around when it went down....

Gene Amato, VP of the Asbury Fishing Club, Finchaser, Joe Melillo, and a few other old salts who remember the "good times" fishing the herring from the Deal Lake flume, way back when.
(Back when there was no internet to brag on, and guys fished for the sheer love of it, and getting out there to be alone with the surf and the fish).

I originally thought a lot of people were involved in that project. I understand there were some others who did get involved. But many of the people I talked to said Joe deserves most of the credit. :thumbsup:

I hope to run into Joe Palotta at the Asbury show Sunday, maybe I can add a few more details.

As these bits and pieces came from a few sources, please let me know if there are any corrections to be made.





These are some of the general outline facts as I understand them:

1. Sometime around 2001 there was a problem with the Deal Lake flume. It became totally clogged with sand. Only a trickle of water could be seen flowing through it. At low tide you could walk to the end of the jetty on the sides where there should be water and fish.

2. Joe lived in Asbury, and had a vested interest in fishing that area as it was one of his closest and favorite spots. :fishing:

3. The clogging with sand let people know that something should be done. In 2001, the priorities of fishermen were low on the totem pole in the municipal and state budgets. There didn't seem to be much interest at first in fixing this problem.

4 Joe ran into several roadblocks as he tried to get this resolved. He wouldn't take "we'll get back to you on that" as an answer.

5. Joe knew that this was something where he needed to get people involved at all levels. So he became a 1-man PAC. He contacted legislators, officials, anyone who would listen.

6. He also was smart enough to recognize the power of the press. Sometime around Feb 21, 2001 he invited many to attend a press conference at the flume.

7. From that conference and a relentless effort to push things along, the DEP eventually got involved for the cleanout.

*8. This is the part where I'm hazy and will come back to fill in the details later...
Somehow during this time it was decided to incorporate this flume as part of the reconstruction of the Asbury 8th Ave jetty.
I think they were working on this back in 2005, they might have finished it around 2006, I'm not exactly sure.

[rip316]

Hey Dark, Joe Melillo sold me my boat. Again, small freakin world. Just found out that Finchaser lives in the area where I keep my boat. Guess what? you found my rod 50 miles away and live 5 minutes from me. I can't get a grip on the variables man I just don't get it. Must be some kind of sign.

[DarkSkies]

Rip, without gettin all spiritual here I believe that things happen for a reason. It's even more weird when I found out you and I have similar family backgrounds. Small world. :thumbsup:

As for Joe Melillo, he's one of those "silent sharpies" you never hear about. He's got more fishin holes than a leopard has spots.

Many, many, many moons ago, :laugh:
he, Finchaser, and a few other silent sharpies dominated the NJ Surf scene with all the large they caught as part of the Stevens Surfsters. Of course they put in their time, and spent every spare moment they had fishin. :fishing:When they disbanded, some joined the Asbury Club, some joined Shark River.

I don't think people will ever forget who Finchaser is, he's so Type A and Grouchy it's hard not to notice him. :ROFLMAO :HappyWave:

One thing neither of these guys is... an egotistical bragger. They both have skills learned the old fashioned way, long before this stuff was so easy to find on the internet.

But Joe isn't on the internet much except to run his B&T website. His tackle shop, Castaway B&T in Point Pleasant is the only place you'll get to hear his real life stories of how things used to be.

So I don't mind relating their stories again and again, for those here and out in the world who never heard of these characters and others. They're part of NJ surf fishing history. I do what I can to make people aware of that. No sense being sad when they're gone, because they're here now, in the flesh.

That being said, you should try to make up an excuse to visit Joe Melillo and pick his brains for a few visits. He has some great stories, and now is the time to hear them. Finchaser also stops in that shop from time to time, so one day you might get both of them to tell some of the Stevens Surfsters stories. :lookhappy:

You'll have to catch Finchaser on a day when he's not booked, however, as his fan club is rapidly growing. Killie was talking about making up "OGB FAN CLUB!" T-shirts! ;)



****************************
And as for Joe Pallotto, I don't think he's on the internet much either. Guys like him and others used to do things to get them done, not for the credit and notoriety. They're truly old school.


Getting a chance to hear a story of how it was, and the right way to do things, from any of the guys above is like winning the surfcasters' lottery. :thumbsup:

[rip316]

AWESOME, AWESOME,AWESOME. I HONESTLY FEEL LIKE I STEPPED INTO ANOTHER UNIVERSE. I am totally stoked. I feel like I have a 2nd family here on this site. Can't wait to share my experiences with you all. Good luck and god bless.

[rip316]

You might be my guardian angel or something. Maybe my Grandfather reincarnated. My Aunts and Uncles always told me That I was his twin, that I look and act and have all the same mannerisms. Maybe, just maybe. Good luck if you take that ride tonight. I will say a prayer for you. I was unable to go.

[DarkSkies]

From the Asbury Club's site. They show you how it looked at various stages. Today guys who fish off the jetty will notice it works well, and is situated about halfway out, on the left side.

I thought these pics would be interesting for those who haven't seen them before.


http://asburyparkfishingclub.com/flume-update/flume.html






8th Avenue Flume Update

April 29, 2006

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http://asburyparkfishingclub.com/flume-update/Picture%20036.jpg


February 20, 2006

http://asburyparkfishingclub.com/photos/quick1%20001.jpg
Sergio inspects the flume

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Standing on the end of the old flume outlet

http://asburyparkfishingclub.com/photos/quick1%20006.jpg


January 27, 2006

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[clamchucker]

I remember the newspaper stories about this project. Either the Asbury Park Press or the Star Ledger. If that flume could tell stories of the bass that used to hang around when the herring were there. Those were the days. Joe Palotta did a tremendous amount of work to get attention there. He's one of the good guys.

[rip316]

It was really nice to meet these two gentleman. A world of knowledge in those brains there. Rons wife spanks 90% of the men on the beach I hear.

[DarkSkies]

Rip, my mistake for not being more clear. :o

Ellen is John's wife. John is the guy we met at the right of Ron's table when I did the interview. Ellen and John are very good friends of Ron Muccie, and they all fish together.

This is John.

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=5385

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8702&thumb=1&d=1260885069 (http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8702&d=1260885069)

[DarkSkies]

Joe Pallotto and Ron Muccie, from the Asbury show. :HappyWave:

10397

[DarkSkies]

I have recently started some things in motion that will serve to protect Fishermen Access in the long run.
When I talk about a new development, I'll also be referencing what Joe did here, as part of my inspiration....

Thought some foks might like to read the actual story....

[hookset]

Joe P is the man.:clapping::clapping:

[DarkSkies]

Joe is pictured to the left of Ron Muccie, above. When you see him at the Asbury Show on Sunday, please be sure to shake his hand and thank him for all of the ground breaking work he did to get the 8th Avenue jetty rebuilt.

If you ask him what he thinks of the current beach replenishment, be prepared for some strong language. The man doesn't pull punches, and says what he means. :thumbsup:

[bababooey]

Nice writeup DS didn't know that. I guess all that hard work is moot now, they will be covering up all the jetties, no? Anyone know what the Asbury jetties look like now. Has it been done yet?

[finchaser]

July

[jigfreak]

Nice writeup DS didn't know that. I guess all that hard work is moot now, they will be covering up all the jetties, no? Anyone know what the Asbury jetties look like now. Has it been done yet?

This is what it looks like now. A crying shame.
18069

Come on fellas let's send some e-mails. If we dont all the jetties will end up buried or notched.

[paco33]

I know sergio and joe. sergio looks a lot younger in those pics. When you talk to joe you realize they broke the mold after they made him. One of the good guys. Just looked at the date and realized that was 2006, 8 years ago. My how time flies.