Fish On
The fishing is great, even if weather isn’t While anglers around the state anxiously await the return of the warm weather, fishing remains solid for both flounder and striped bass.
Word from Raritan Bay is anglers are warming up, playing catch-and-release with as many striped bass you can reel in on the ingoing and outgoing tides. Some reports came in from Crabby’s Bait & Tackle in Keyport, when Chuck Many of Annandale on his Tyman II, along with Dave Donahue and Gary Caputi of Brick, caught and released 147 stripers with four keepers up to 30 inches. All fish were caught on clams in the Raritan Bay.
Off the surf or a boat, anglers are starting the season off with plenty of action. Within the next few weeks bigger bass should be moving in, chasing schools of bunker, which have already been spotted in the bay and caught for bait. That means soon the relentless bluefish will not be far behind. Good times are here, so get out there and Fish On.
Offshore: Pollack and ling are still producing good numbers, and reports from the Gambler out of Point Pleasant say cod fish are finally moving into the offshore wrecks in decent numbers and size as well.
Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites organizations and citizens to participate in the 22nd annual Spring Beach Sweeps on April 28, at sites along the New Jersey coast from Old Bridge to Cape May. The Sweeps begin at 9 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Clean Ocean Actions Beach Sweeps is the largest grassroots environmental event in the state and the longest-running cleanup of its kind in the United States. In 2005, more than 2,700 volunteers picked up nearly 43,400 pounds of debris at 89 locations along the Jersey Shore. The debris that volunteers collect, catalog and tally at the Sweeps provides data that is used to identify pollution problems and aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment.
Volunteers are instructed to bring gloves, dress for the weather, and wear sunscreen and closed, hard-soled shoes. COA welcomes the participation of people of all ages, as well as individuals, families and groups. Groups of 15 or more are requested to preregister by calling (732) 872-0111, or using the online sign-up form on the organization’s Web site. For a list of Sweeps sites, the group sign-up form and other tips, visit www.cleanoceanaction.org and follow the links for Beach Sweeps.
Web site of the month: goes to www.NJsaltwaterfisherman.com. In the age of the Internet, you can really take advantage of technology, especially when it comes to fishing. Since fish of all species are always on the move and sensitive to the weather, you can really narrow down your odds for a successful fishing trip.
On this Web site you can retrieve data up to the minute from local anglers, charter boats and even research buoys that can provide wave heights and ocean temperatures.
At www.NJsaltwaterfisherman.com you can research local species of fish, find out where the best places are to fish and even what baits to use at that time. It has also been designed to help each angler out and share information about rules, regulations, tournaments and much, much more, so if you have the chance to surf the net, stop by and check them out. Even the best of the best can always learn something new.
Recipe of the week
Every week I ask readers to send in their favorite local recipes to share with the rest of us.
At the end of the year, I will post my three favorite recipes. Once we post them, you, the readers, will decide who will become the first annual “Fish On With Ron – Local Seafood Recipe Champ.” Please send your recipe and/or fishing report to me at [email protected].
My next recipe comes from a “Fish On” fan, Helene Callari. Helene sends us a healthful fish recipe, which goes with any of your favorite fillets. This is Helene’s original recipe and she says it will capture and enhance the flavor of the fish.
Get the net: 5 out of 5 nets
Comment: Heart-healthy, quick
Difficulty: Very simple
Helene’s Shake and Bake Fillets
Take fillets and dip into flour then into egg whites with white wine.
Bread fillets with flavored bread crumbs mixed with grated parmesan cheese and a pinch of garlic powder.
Place fillets on a cookie sheet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray. Then spray the top of the fillets as well. Bake at 450 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until fish is flaky and enjoy.
Chef: Helene Callari, Staten Island, N.Y.