he week before and after Christmas usually means big bass in Central New Jersey as migrating fish pass close to our coast on their way to their wintering grounds off of the Carolinas. The impetus that brings in these 25-35 lb striped bass are large sea herring that we can see by the acres.

This year the sea herring were there but the big bass never arrived. Mostly only small bass were found in isolated areas during the last week of December. One of these areas was right here in my guiding area east of the Shark River Inlet. The fact that during the last week of December party boats from both the Atlantic Highlands and Barnegat Bay made the long trip to our area only went to show that the end of the season run was poor and very limited.

With the mild temperatures during Christmas week water temperatures were holding steady at 46 degrees which is ideal for end of the season blitz conditions to occur. However it wasn’t meant to be a December to remember this season

January can bring with it a strong case of cabin fever as we watch the winter really kick in. The next time it will become legal to fish in the backbay in New Jersey for striped bass won’t be until March 1st as backbay waters are now closed. If you still want to wet a line, the oceanfront is fair game but based on how the season ended in December striped bass will be few and far between.

Offshore wreck fishing is available this month for the hearty of spirit as sea bass, ling, cod, pollock, porgies, and blackfish can be caught on the 60-80 mile wrecks east of the Manasquan Inlet. Party boats out of Brielle will be going all winter to these locations. One can also opt to jig sea herring in the Manasquan and Shark River Inlets as an option this month as these baitfish will move in and out on the tides. Sea herring will not however be present on everyday so one will need to just go there and take a look.

The five or six hook Sabiki rigs are the preferred lure but single darts will also work. These rigs are usually fished with one ounce dipsey or bank sinker that is cast out and then retrieved back with a moderate retrieve. Some anglers will use a steady retrieve while others will jig the rig on the retrieve. Usually the time on either side of the high tide is most productive. The herring can be pickled and will make for a tasty treat.

Some changes are ahead for the 2008 season so I will mention a few here. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have set in place new regulations for the 2008 porgy season. In federal waters, that is beyond three miles of shore, there will be a 15 fish daily bag limit with a 10-1/2 inch minimum size. The season will run from January 1through February 29 and then open again October 1 and run through October 31st. In the state waters of New Jersey, that is inside three miles from shore the possession limit remains at 50 fish with a 9-inch minimum size. The season here will run from January 1 through February 29 and from July 1 through December 31.

The big news and probably the most important news for the New Year will be the plight of our summer flounder fishery for the 2008 fishing season and into the future. The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced its final summer flounder rule that became effective January 1st that calls for total allowable landings of 15.77 million pounds of fluke for both the recreational and commercial sectors. This represents an 8% cut from the 2007 limit of 17.11 million pounds. For this years quota only 40% goes to the recreational sector.

New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. saw the final rule and stated: "I am disappointed in the 8% cut in summer flounder quota for 2008, but without the stellar lobbying effort of the fishing community, we may have been faced with even bigger cuts. These consistent cuts to the yearly quotas have not produced the result that was intended, and that is why I am planning to introduce legislation to add flexibility to the Magnuson-Stevens Act when we return in January."

Pallone added that “I believe that the science used to create targets is flawed. Before we cut our summer flounder quotas, we need to improve upon this data used to inform managers.” The fishing community also agrees whole heartedly that we need to improve on the bad science that is being used to extrapolate these numbers and is ready to fight the bureaucracy with all of the industries resources. The goal of researching and implementing new and better methods and science to replace the old is the goal of a newly created non-profit organization called the "SSFFF," Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund www.ssfff.net.

The SSFFF is made up of Party and Charter Boat owners, Bait and Tackle store owners, Tackle Distributors, Bait Wholesalers, and others whose livelihoods are dependent on a healthy and vibrant recreational fishing industry. All of these business owners and professionals realize the importance of an equitable and scientifically accurate management strategy for summer flounder. The scuttlebutt on this matter also is that this poor science reflects into the striped bass industry as well. And if we lose the fight to save the fluke the striped bass will be next to be go, as a precedent will have been set.

The Board of Directors of the SSFFF consists of Greg Hueth, President. Shark River Surf Anglers, Dave Arbeitman, Owner Reel Seat, Inc., Willie Egerter, Capt/Owner Party Boat Dauntless, Adam Nowalsky, Capt/Owner Karen Ann, Chris Hueth, Capt/Owner Party Boat Big Mohawk, Ron Santee, Capt/Owner Party Boat Fishermen, Bill Forman, Owner Spring Lake Freezer, and Nick Cicero, National Sales Manager, The Folsom Corp.

The first and most immediate goal of the SSFFF will be to support HR 4087, which is an emergency legislative intervention that will enable stock managers a reasonable level of regulatory flexibility. The second initiative will be to generate private funds for a comprehensive scientific stock review. The SSFFF will work on hiring their own independent marine scientists to generate the data needed to prove that the current summer flounder population targets and stock rebuilding deadlines, are dangerously punitive, ridiculous in their intention and truly unnecessary.

In order to accomplish these goals the SSFFF is asking for your help. Right now, they need your financial support to fund the political and scientific goals. You can help out and do your part to insure that summer flounder remains a viable fishery, maintains its economic impacts, continues to support the livelihood and well being of many people in many different walks of life, and continues as it has in the past as one of New Jersey’s favorite fishing recreational pastimes by sending a donation to: Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund, PO Box 86, Brielle, NJ 08730.

For the most recent updates, actions, and to support the cause of saving the summer flounder the public is invited to attend a general public meeting to be held Monday, January 21st at the Manasquan Elks Lodge #2534, 17 Stockton Lake Blvd, Manasquan, NJ. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.