Rack and Fin

Known as the “Most cruel of months” because of its capricious weather, the third turn of the calendar ushers the first fishing of the New Year.

The 2021 Summer flounder (fluke) season dates will be decided at the March 4 webinar meeting of the NJ Marine Fisheries Council.

March through mid-April is the ideal time to explore the diversity of the Garden State’s Highlands, Shore, Piedmont and Outer Coastal Plain areas via hiking or biking.

As mentioned last week’s blog, striped bass in the bays and tidal creeks and rivers became legal quarry March 1, and since the opener, the stripers, 99% of which are in the 16-24 inch “schoolie” range, have been pretty cooperative.

This hunt’s expressed purpose in the Atlantic Flyway is to help put the brakes on the light goose population, estimated at 500,000 birds.

It was a packed house with standing room only that spilled into the lobby at the Stafford Municipal Building during Thursday evening’s public meeting with the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. 

The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (NJMFC) will be conducting a public meeting Thursday, February 13 starting at 5pm at the Stafford Township Municipal Building, 260 East Bay Avenue, in Manahawkin.

They always seem to know when the tough times are arriving. The birds know, that is.

This weekend’s forecast of 50 to 60-plus degree temperatures will surely fuel the hot perch bite that was momentarily stalled by Thursday’s cold front.

After a break for the muzzleloader and six day firearm deer seasons, the Division of Fish & Wildlife will once again be releasing ringneck pheasants and bobwhite quail on select wildlife management areas (WMA).