Fishing Community Pulling Together, Beginning to Rebuild
Well, we have had a week to evaluate the damage left behind by Hurricane Sandy and if anything, the picture hasn’t gotten any brighter. The fishing community as much as any and maybe more has been devastated by the losses we have incurred. Because living by the water is essential to our sport, maybe even more than most industries. But the stories I have heard since Sandy departed tell me that we, as a group are hard and will not allow a weather phenomenon beat us down. We will band together, hike up our pants and get down to the business of rebuilding. Anglers, both those who earn a living from the water and those who devote themselves to it as a sport, are a hearty group. The rebuilding has already started and I promise you that most will be back bigger and better than ever. Storms come with the territory and while this one was bigger and badder than any we have seen before, it wasn’t totally unexpected. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back to business. Not many are actually fishing right now so this week’s report will be more about what’s going on and what we can do to pull together to clean up this mess and get back to the important things. I wet a line one day this week. Not because I thought the fishing would be good but more to send that witch Sandy a message. So let’s see how our friends are doing and what we as a community can do to help them resume some sense of normalcy.
I have seen messages from Max at Pride Fishing Tackle in Red Bank and while all the news isn’t great, they have started the rebuilding process. Power is back on at the shop and they are cleaning up the mess. Rest assured that they will be back stronger than ever. In fact, Max reported that the fish are breaking from the beach in Long Branch. He also quipped that without a badge and a gun, your chances of getting close enough to wet a line are remote. You’ve just got to like a guy who can look adversity square in the eye and push back. Pride will resume their normal hours of operation effective 11-9-12.
One of the best lines I heard in the aftermath of this storm came from the gang at Bait Your Hook Tackle and Ice in Atlantic Highlands. And I quote “Tough times don’t last, tough people do!” That about sums up the nature of the people involved with the fishing industry. Sandy may have knocked us down but not for the entire ten count. There is little doubt that Kevin and the gang at Bait your hook are at the forefront of the recovery.
I have had the most difficult time reaching the charter and head boat captains in the state. But I am hopeful in that they had the ability to move their boats to a sheltered area prior to the storm. But the magnitude of this storm made finding a safe location even harder than one might imagine. I have received ancillary information that most are doing well but some that pulled their rides had substantial damage. I did hear from sources that Captain Chris Hueth of The Big Mohawk is planning to go out for the first time since the storm this weekend in the new boat. Based on prior conversations, I would assume he is targeting blackfish but not certain. I understand that the striper bite is going strong up there as well. Give him a call and see what’s up. If you get a chance, let me know how the new boat rides, I heard it’s a beauty.
I was pleasantly surprised when I called the Reel Seat in Brielle and owner Dave Arbietman answered the phone. Given his location in the Marina, I would have assumed he got rocked. Yes he took on water. More than several tide’s worth of water in fact. But he came out better than most, worse than some. He was unloading a shipment of new rods as I spoke to him. He just got in the new St. Croix Avid surf series and is waiting on a new line of Tile Rods he has designed and manufactured under the Reel Seat name. If any of you old timers out there remember when Dave used to build rods, you will know they were quality and you would be hard pressed to find a finer custom rod. He told me he is making them in 7,- 7.5- and 8-foot versions. Man it feels good to talk fishing for a change. It’s good for the soul. Did I mention that the Real Seat is open for business?
As I have been saying, some got hit harder than others by Sandy. One of those places that got really slammed is Long Beach Island. There is only limited access for property owners at the time of this report. One of the major issues is they had to cut off all gas service to the island because of so much damage to individual homes and the distribution system in general. At this time, the only fishing going on there is from on the water, and due to the immense amount of debris there, even that is being discouraged. I did hear from several people who visited the island and there are at least three tackle shops that were totally wiped out by the storm. Almost all sustained some damage, but it will be some time before the three I heard of will be open again, if ever. I won’t disclose the names of those but keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Spoke with Tom P over at the Sportsmen’s Center in Bordentown to get the low down in his part of the state. Tom told me that there have been some anglers hitting the freshwater but with the cool weather and fast water from the storm, fishing has been tight to say the least. His biggest concern was that some customers were concerned about fishing after the storm and how people would perceive them doing so. Tom’s response which I echo is that if you get the chance, go fish. There are head boats like the Gambler that are ready to roll. All they are lacking is the paying customers to make it worth the trip. Tom and I both recommend calling ahead to your favorite outlet to make sure they are accessible and back in operation. Your patronage is valued maybe even more now than ever.
Chris at Harry’s Adventure Outfitters in Robbinsville has been busy helping with the recovery effort in more than a few northern sections of the State. Some aren’t accessible even a week later. Long Branch and Sea Girt were two he mentioned that were hit hard. But he did say that there are fish being caught all over the place. The Point Pleasant canal is still giving up nice blackfish. Other areas have had stripers up to 47 pounds in the last week. So the fish are out there waiting for you. A little break from all the devastation could be just the ticket to re-energize you.
This just in from the NJDEP.
DEP EXPANDS RECREATIONAL FISHING AND BOATING ADVISORY
TO NORTHERN BARNEGAT BAY
(12/P137) TRENTON – As a public health and safety precaution, the Department of Environmental Protection is advising recreational boaters, anglers and crabbers to temporarily avoid the waters of northern Barnegat Bay, from Barnegat Light to Point Pleasant, and is advising residents not to eat any fish, crustaceans or shellfish from these waters due to potential contamination from pathogens – bacteria and viruses.
Water sampling in this area is showing elevated levels of contaminants likely due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy which knocked several waste water treatment facilities in the state off-line, resulting in the temporary runoff of effluents into certain waterways.
The affected area runs from Barnegat Light to the Metedeconk River, and includes tributaries entering the Bay, including the Toms River, Metedeconk River and smaller streams that enter the Bay. If you are boating or fishing in these waters, you are advised to thoroughly wash, clean and disinfect any gear immediately.
The area south of Barnegat Light is not under advisory. But the DEP continues to conduct tests of waters along the state’s entire Atlantic coastline.
A similar fishing and boating advisory that was announced Friday remains in effect for the New Jersey portion of the Hudson River, Passaic River, Hackensack River, Newark Bay, Kill Van Kull and Arthur Kill, Raritan Bay, Raritan River, and Sandy Hook Bay.
We encourage all anglers, crabbers and boaters to visit the Hurricane Sandy webpage athttp://www.nj.gov/dep/special/hurricane-sandy/ for updates on this advisory. In addition, please visithttp://www.state.nj.us/dep/dsr/njmainfish.htm for current fish consumption advisories.”
Best Bets for the Weekend.
The weather looks clear and the fish are definitely out there. I am hearing temperatures in the mid 60’s after Friday. I fished one day this week, throwing plugs with no success, but there was plenty of bait in the water. There are charter and headboat operations open up north and that is definitely an option. Call first. Some areas are still closed off. Long Beach Island and other areas north of them come to mind. If you get a chance, stop by and show your support to your local bait and tackle shop or charter captain. God knows they serve us well when times are good, it’s time to give some back. Don’t feel guilty about spending day fishing. It’s what we do. Fishermen are some of the most caring people on the face of the planet. We guard our honey holes like pit bulls but in the face of adversity our strength and ability to pull together is legendary. So do what you have to do this weekend in whatever way makes you feel best. If you can pitch in and help at the same time, so be it. Whatever you chose to do, stay safe out there. You only get so many days in the game so spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.