Fluke Limit

Limit of four per day is no fluke

Thursday, May 8th 2008, 7:26 PM
New York's Department of Environmental Conservation has finally announced the regulations for recreational fluke fishing, just in time for the start of that season on Thursday. It's four fish per day at 20-1/2 inches or more. That's a big minimum for the flatties. According to Sheepshead Bay's Jet skipper Capt. Chuck Patterson, that translates into a 4- to 5-pound fish.
The state's fluke season goes until Sept. 1.
Fishermen as well as DEC and industry reps have been fighting these regulations, which aim for a reduction of the fluke harvest in New York waters by 64% to be in compliance with figures collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The alternative is apparently a total ban.

The American Sportfishing Association has joined in, with vice president Gordon Robertson saying that "the irony of this threat (to close the fluke fishing next year) is that the summer flounder (fluke) stocks in the Atlantic are at a 40-year high."
Now there is even discussion of adopting these emergency rules as permanent. You're welcome to add your opinions to the fray by contacting the DEC by July 7 via fwmarine@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
New state porgy regs were announced at the same time. That season will run from June 12 to Aug.31, allowing anglers on party boats 10 fish daily at 11 or more inches. The season reopens Sept. 1, with a welcome 45 the daily limit.

Curiously, fishermen on shore or in private boats can catch 10 porgies at a lesser 10-1/2 inches and enjoy an uninterrupted period from May 24 until Sept. 26.

In New Jersey waters, the fluke season starts soon after its winter flounder season ends, with anglers allowed eight fish daily at 18 inches or more from May 24 until Sept. 7.

Rest assured, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association has promised to hold its 14th annual fluke tourney on June 14. Sign up before June 7 and the entry fee per boat, with up to six anglers, is $120. After that, the fee goes up to $150. View www.JCAA.org.
Meanwhile, fisher folk are enjoying fighting the area's abundant scrappy bluefish.
Not only that, but the Jet's Capt. Patterson was having a good day yesterday off the Highlands with 11 passengers returning with up to two buckets of ling each - caught before noon, and some 30 sea bass.

After Saturday/Sunday runs, another Sheepshead Bay boat, the Brooklyn VI launches her every-day 7 a.m. departure schedule on Tuesday. Capt. Andy Nazzaruolo will have his customers jigging for blues and stripers from Rockaway Inlet and Coney Island to Sandy Hook.

The Bullet returned to the Sheepshead Bay on Wednesday after a good flounder day. Capt. Tony Reyes reported that his eight customers brought back 50 flounder from Jamaica Bay. Friday through Sunday afternoon trips are offered now, too.

For other varieties, you might well head out to Captree for the Capt. Al. Newly married captain Tommy Weiss has been targeting ling, sea bass and cod on a daily schedule. Friday and Saturday nights, he's out for stripers and blues.