Even though opening day of striper season is only two weeks off, I just have to ask—Is it ever going to (insert your favorite expletive here) stop? I honestly try to stay as positive in the offseason as I possibly can but the only thing that is positive is me having reached the end of my rope. With Daylight Savings time still a couple weeks away, record snowfalls across the State, wind that just simply takes your breath away, and the weather guys getting more screen time than the sports guys, I am really reaching for things to keep sane.

Thank heaven for the Boat Show/Fishing Show circuit that runs over the next couple of weeks. Get out your Day Planner!

Coming off a very well attended Atlantic City Boat Show down south, it looks like this weekend’s NJ Boat Sale & Expo at the NJ Convention Center in Edison should keep some Northern NJ guys from locking and loading. With about 100 exhibitors the Show covers just about everything from Sloops to Nuts. For regional saltwater anglers, there are a couple great seminars on trophy striper fishing and busting big doormat fluke, as well as a session on Saturday that will take all the guesswork out of Antifouling Bottom paints. Also some good stuff in the “Kids Cove” from an educational standpoint for the little guys. Admission is $6. for adults and kids under 16 are free with an Adult admission.

The World Fishing & Outdoors Expo at SUNY in Suffern, NY runs Feb. 27-March 2. Also this weekend, it is Surf Day at Brookdale College in Lincroft brought to you by the Jersey Shore Surfcasters. This is a great event for sand stompers and jetty jumpers. The Greater Philadelphia Boat Show is next up in Oaks, PA March 7 to 9, and my favorite for fisherman, The Saltwater Fishing Expo in Somerset March 14 to 16. Be on the lookout for our On The Water road crew at the events. We always like trading stories with you guys and getting as much feedback as we can on how you like what OTW brings you.

While you have your book out, mark down a couple more things for your fishing “to do” list. TackleDirect on Tilton Rd in Egg Harbor Township is having it’s First Spring “Clearance Canyon” Sale Event on March 1 & 2nd. The last time TackleDirect threw one of these shindigs there was a line of guys up the block when they opened and a longer string of smiling anglers walking out the door with big bags of discounted gear. Does not happen often, so get in on it.

Also, and this is a big one too, our tilefish and spreader bar master Dave Arbeitman has made a move with his crew at The Reel Seat to brand new digs in Brielle. Much bigger, lots more gear, and plenty of work space at 707 Union Ave.

That Saturday, March 1st is also the date for the Ocean City Intermediate School Fishing Club Flea Market. Always a good time for a great cause.

For you hardcore guys that never hung up your gear just because of a little cold weather, there have been some rewards over the last couple days. The Ocean Explorer had a mixed bag on Monday with more fish coming from deeper water. hey are tentatively scheduled to run Thursday & Friday but call ahead; 848-565-0519. Also in the mix is The Big Mohawk out of Belmar, 732-974-9606 and the Mimi VI from Pt. Pleasant Beach, 732-370-8019.

Best Bet for this Weekend

Eyeball the forecast and fire up the phone lines. The conditions are going to be better Sunday than Saturday if you want to take a shot at some deep water winter wreck rocking. Warmer temps on the freshwater lakes later this week have made the ice very iffy, so exercise extreme caution if you are thinking about drilling a hole somewhere. Opening day of striper season is just 2 weeks away!