Capt. Ray, Tide Runner, Cape May.

It’s been slow on the local fishing scene (as far as I know) but things should be picking up now that the inshore season for striped bass is open (March 1 to 31). I’ll be waiting for your reports and pictures.

The Starlight Fleet (Park Blvd., Wildwood Crest) had some more good runs and reports that almost everyone has caught their limit on sea bass. Recent pool winners were Chi Young Hwan, Rochelle Park (Feb. 20), Bruce Lee, Fort Lee (Feb. 23), Tim Polijczuk, the Crab Man, Camden (Feb. 24) and Tom Fidz, Union (Feb. 24). All caught sea bass over 7 pounds.

On the summer flounder scene, I’ll have a report on tomorrow night’s meeting next week.

More News:
The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a Freshwater Fisheries Forum on Saturday, March 1 at the Batsto Village Visitors Center in Wharton State Forest, Burlington County at 10 am. The forum will provide an opportunity for anglers to learn about freshwater fisheries research and management, culture and recreational angling in New Jersey, and to share their views and recommendations. Division biologists will be on hand to answer questions.
Pre-registration is not required but is appreciated, and will help ensure that all attendees can be accommodated. Call 856-629-4950 or via e-mail to Christopher.Smith@dep.state.nj.us. Please include your name, address, phone number and the number of people attending.
More information, including directions, are available on the division's Web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2008/fshforumsouth.htm .

States and jurisdictions from Maine through Florida have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Coastal Sharks. The closest one to us is March 4, 7 p.m.,
Ocean County Administrative Building
101 Hooper Avenue, Room 119
Toms River
Contact: Peter Himchak 748-2020

The draft proposes management measures for state recreational and commercial shark fisheries, including permitted species, regions, seasons, quotas, possession limits, size limits, protection of nursing and pupping grounds, authorized gear, dealer reporting, research, display, finning, and bycatch reduction.

Copies of the Draft FMP can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or at (202) 289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5 PM on March 28 and should be forwarded to Chris Vonderweidt, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Sharks). For more information, please contact Chris Vonderweidt at (202) 289-6400 or cvonderweidt@asmfc.org.

Save these dates:
March 14 to 16 – Saltwater Fishing Expo, Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset, NJ, hours vary, check out www.sportshows.com

April 6 – Fishing Flea Market, Cape May Convention Hall, Beach Drive, 660-7650, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. This is a great to sell off the equipment you don’t use, and at the same time buy some new things you might need. Call 660-7650. There will be old, new, used, antique fishing equipment, rods, reels, lures, and nautical décor for sale. Admission is $3, children 12 and under are free.

April 19 – Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club is holding a Shimano butterfly jigging system seminar. Chuck Richardson, Tournament Cable Tackle should be attending to do a ballyhoo rigging demo with circle hooks. More to come. It will run from 9 a.m.-noon and a break for lunch and 1-4 p.m., Waterfront Marine on Bay Ave. in Somers Point. Schedule may vary.

Be sure to send your fish stories and pictures and Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com.

1) Cape May Convention Center Fea market

2) Capt. Ray, Tide Runner, Cape May, last April.