*2 Nov 2012, 10:34 AM Update from Rip Tide Bait and Tackle in Brigantine: “Just want to say that we made it through the hurricane and we are safe! The first floor of my house and my truck were both lost in the flood and are total destroyed. There are plenty of people that had a lot more damage than I did so I can be thankful that I am alive and able to rebuild. At the shop we were lucky as far as not much water entered the building. We did lose all our bait and and some other minor stuff that can all be replaced. I want to thank all my customers/friends that called,text, e-mailed, and contacted me to see if I was OK or needed anything. It brings a tear to my eye to see how people really come together during times of trouble and I could never thank you enough and you will never know how much it meant to me. Now it’s just a matter of rebuilding and getting back on our feet. I have many calls to the shop from people that don’t realize the devastation that happened all over and asking me if we are open. I have been going back and forth to the shop and should be back open hopefully tomorrow. I will post on here or Face Book when I know for sure. As long as we are alive we can and will come back to a happy place. I hope everyone is safe and take a look at what you have rather then what you lost. I am thinking of you all and from the bottom of my heart I say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!”
*Nov 1, 2012 Update from Absecon Bay Sportsman Center in Absecon, NJ: Here at Absecon Bay Sportsman Center I guess I should consider us lucky. All the boat storage was handled by M & B Marine, they pulled boats with amazing speed and effectiveness on Friday and Saturday and thanks to the elevation of the boat yard all boats stayed high and dry. Atlantic City Electric kept the lights on and I managed to keep most of my baits alive and kicking. I did loose one of my big tanks of Spot which will hurt in the long run, but I’ve got another and right now I have LIVE SPOT, FINGER MULLET, EELS, SURF CLAMS, BLOODWORMS ready to go. The store is open and I’m ready to guide you two the stripers on my Charters. When you are ready to fish from your boat, the erroded beaches or with me please keep us in mind.
*Nov 1, 2012 Update from Two Chums Bait and Tackle in Sea Isle, NJ: We hope everyone is safe! We got a bit of damage and about 3 feet of water in the shop! We will be working NON STOP to best serve our customers!
*Nov 1, 2012 Update from Sea Isle Bait and Tackle in Sea Isle, NJ: I was able to get into Sea Isle City today and get a look at the tackle shop. Fortunately we received NO damage. We will be open Saturday and Sunday as far as a schedule going forth I am still unsure. Family and friends have lots of cleaning up and repairs that they will need help with. As most of you know SIC is a small town and we all help each other out when need be. Things around town are tough to look at, but not as bad I had imagined. I will keep you updated on hours and happenings around the store. I will be doing my best to serve the fishermen and ladies of Sea Isle while also helping my loved ones rebuild. – Mike
The Aftermath of Sandy
Twenty-five years ago, I decided (after living in Pittsburgh for 6 years and a being raised in Philadelphia), that the call of the ocean was too loud to ignore. When you make the move to an oceanside community, it doesn’t take too long to come the realization that there is a certain amount of risk that is included with the transition. Hardly a year goes by when there isn’t a storm or even the threat of a storm to deal with. Stay or leave? You learn where the high ground is and when it makes sense to evacuate. Over the years since I have ridden out more than a few major storms and lost our share of possessions to others. You learn from the experience and file it away for the next occurrence. Sandy rewrote the rule book for many. I moved from the barrier island several years ago, taking advantage of a swollen real estate market, but still live on the water inland on the bay side. No water damage this time, but the winds and rain still managed to affect us. Downed trees and power lines resulted in minor issues relative to what some experienced in the beachfront communities. As I type this, there are evacuees from the barrier islands waiting for news that they can return to see what Sandy has left for them. I know they are all expecting the worst and hoping for the best. And I also know that regardless of what they find, they will pull together and start the rebuilding process. It comes with the territory. Look forward, not back because that path has closed.
This week’s report is not so much about fishing as about the people in the industry. How hard they got hit and what if anything can be done to help them. Most of them serve us quietly all season and if we can put the word out and help a few, it’s the very least we can do.
Sandy somewhat mirrored last season’s fall striper run in some respect. North of AC, the fishing was as good as it can get last fall. And Sandy, that Halloween witch, was as evil as she could be in almost the same territory. North of Atlantic City, the beach and bay frontage is absolutely devastated. Power is almost nonexistent. But the people are good at dealing with adversity and will get through this as well. Make book on it.
I just heard from Lenny at Captain Hippo’s Bait and Tackle in Toms River. He and Sandy are both well. The shop lost power but other than a stinky mess from the thawed bait, they will be fine. Can’t keep good people down for long, and those two are two of the finest.
Efinger Sporting Goods is open for business in Bound Brook. You may not be thinking about fishing but there are other areas they can help you with. They are currently out of lanterns, all batteries except “C,” and propane. They have rain gear, some small flashlights, camping tarps, inflatables, kayaks, life vests, hand and feet warmers, boots, and some waders.
Bad news, saw a message from the gang at Alex’s Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant. The message is “it’s gone but not to worry, we will be back”. See what I said about the fortitude of the people in Jersey and the industry in general? Our prayers are with them.
Looks like the Jersey Hooker Outfitters team in Brick weathered the storm in okay condition. I find it difficult to give almost anyone around the coast a better rating than that, but being farther inland, they had a head start. Captain Rich Wilkowski has been sending messages out so that’s a good sign. They are always prepared up there be it for fishing or weather. Latest reports I am seeing say that both boat and shop are alive and well.
I could not get in touch with anyone at Bait Your Hook tackle and Ice in Atlantic Highlands but I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. The Municipal Harbor is closed and the boat yards have some pretty severe damage up there, even for those who pulled their rides.
As you have probably seen on the news, Seaside Heights was devastated by Sandy. I tried to reach John at The Dock Outfitters but with their location on the bay at the foot of the causeway, I am not optimistic that they have power. IBSP is closed as is the entire island. Might not open for weeks if the reports I am hearing are correct.
Long Beach Island got hit very hard by Sandy. All indications are that the very earliest they may let people return to the island is on Saturday. Big emphasis on the word may. As far as I can tell, there is little or no power on the island and everything north of the causeway is the hardest hit. Harvey Cedars got hit as hard or harder than ’62. The storm surge was really bad there, maybe one of the worst. My advice is to do your research before you head there. They are turning people away as of today.
From Brigantine through Absecon Island, there is a ban on returning to the Island. Right now the reports I am getting are calling for possible return allowances for Friday or Saturday. Gas leaks on the island are the biggest concerns right now. There have also been some reports of contaminated drinking water, especially in AC. Take bottled water with you as a precaution.
I just got a call that they are allowing people to return to Ocean City but you should know that the major parts of the area is still without power. While there was a pretty strong storm surge, it was nowhere near the abnormally high surge they had further north. Understand that all of this is second hand info but from pretty reliable sources. Boat damage was also relatively light. Especially if you had the opportunity to pull your rig. I actually know of three boats that stayed in the water with only minimal damage. Luck does not begin to describe those results. Had the storm crossed land farther south, I’m certain the results wouldn’t have been as pretty. I was unable to reach anyone at Fin-Atics in OC but they sit pretty high so I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that are back online in relatively short order. Once again, I would call ahead if you can.
Sea Isle City is now allowing business owners and home owners back on the island. You will need to take some sort of ID proving ownership. I am being told a utility bill and photo ID will suffice. I have been unable to reach either Mike at Sea Isle Bait & Tackle or the gang over at Two Chums Bait but I suspect they are hard at work getting their respective businesses back to operational status. Sources in the area told me that they did indeed have high flooding but true to the pattern of this storm, caught a break by being on the south side of the eye. I plan on visiting both this weekend if the weather holds up.
The Sportsmens Center in Bordentown is alive and doing well according to Tom P. Tom lives up north and had the opportunity to see the wreckage around some of the shore areas and told me it was beyond comprehension. Boats sitting on top of each other in almost every place you looked. Inland, Tommy thought that the incredible amount of rain would make the fresh water venues hazardous to say the least and the beaches along the coastline are completely changed. Fishing is a way off and a low priority in many of the northern communities and will be for some time to come. Tom also mentioned that a big number of cell towers appear to be down as a result of the storm making contact with anyone up that way almost impossible.
Absecon Bay Sportsmen Center is running on generator but it’s running according to owner Captain Dave Showell. His inventory of live bait, for the most part, weathered the storm and just waiting for someone to give them a new home. Captain Dave feels it will take a few days for the waters to clear up but the fish should still be around. He also asked me to pass along his sympathies for all who were affected by the storm.
The Wildwood’s had some nasty flooding as did Cape May and the surrounding area but nowhere near as bad as it could have been. According to Chuck Hinchcliffe at Off the Hook Marina in the Cape, the storm crossing land farther north put them on the easy end of the storm. There is definitely major damage but nothing that cannot be replaced. Only time will tell what has really changed.
My biggest concern of this storm was by far all of our Charter Fleet in the state. So far I have been unable to reach any of them but I also haven’t seen any bad news about them. The bigger the vessel, the more difficult it is to pull it out of harm’s way on short notice. Keep them in your prayers tonight. With all the debris floating on the water, there will definitely be issues for some time to come.
Best Bets for the Weekend.
If you really have to get out this weekend, I would suggest heading south. Most of the oceanfront communities from Brigantine to Cape May should be open again. If I get the chance, I might head that way myself to check on some friends in the area. Heading north is a not an option. Unless you need to be there, I would suggest letting them get about their business of rebuilding. It’s going to take a while. Boating is almost a no go in my opinion this week. With so much foreign material in the water you are almost certainly putting your boat, yourself or both at risk. Give it a little time to settle down and even then, be careful. If you have the opportunity, give up fishing and pitch in with the cleanup. It was a massive disaster that will require a massive clean- up. Fishermen may argue about many things but when it comes to lending a hand, there isn’t a finer group on the face of the planet. I have witnessed it first hand on many occasions. This will also be one of them. Whatever you do, please be careful especially in these conditions. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.