Regulations still are the hot topic around town and after a lot of hard work and cooperation, ASMFC withdrew the New Jersey tautog noncompliance finding.

The Atlantic Star, Wildwood Crest, had a lot of happy fishers March 29.

As reported last week, New Jersey notified the Commission on March 25 that it implemented measures to achieve a 25.6 percent reduction in exploitation as required by Addenda IV and V of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog.

The measures, which include recreational bag limits and season closures for both the recreational and commercial fisheries, are consistent with those previously reviewed and approved by the Commission's Tautog Technical Committee and Management Board.

The new regulations are four fish from Jan. 1 to April 30; no fishing May 1 to July 16, one fish July 16 through Nov.16; six fish, Nov. 16 through Dec. 31.

For more information, contact Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, at 202-289-6400.

The Atlantic Star continues its great season with successful trips on March 27, 28, 29. They caught tile fish up to 15 pounds and some fishers caught the limit on sea bass. Pool winners were reported as Kwang Oh, Long Island, NY, Henry Sherwood, Queens, NY; Sammy Sinn, Brooklyn, NY, all with 7 pound sea bass. (See photos)

Captain Fred at Harbor View Bait & Tackle reports a tough weekend striper fishing due to the winds but expects fishing to get much better as the weather improves. He says there are some blackfish on the wrecks as well as sea bass which remain well offshore. Harbor View Marina is now open daily.

The Miss Chris, Cape May, sails daily at 8 a.m. for stripers. Get on board.

Captain Ray Szulczewski, Tide Runner, Cape May, is all set to launch should be in the water this week. He will be targeting striped bass and may even give the winter flounder a shot. He just needs some warm spring like days to get the action started. Captain Ray is now booking trips for the 2008 season. Check out www.Flyfishingcapemay.com to get first choice of prime dates.

Captain John Sowerby, Hooked Up, South Jersey Marina reported in, too. He says they are looking for a few single or small parties for eight-hour trips right after the new moon on May 5. He will soon announce a special reward gift program where top end fishing gear will be rewarded based on catching certain size tuna on jiggs and top water poppers on their new 55 custom Hooked Up II out of Cape My this summer. All this information will be posted on his web page in the near future along with an article about the past 20 years of inshore bluefin tuna fishing.

If you are trailering your boat and are looking for a boat ramp, check out the NJ Boat Ramp Guide http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pdf/boat_ramp_guide.pdf
A web version, containing a Google Maps image showing all ramp locations, is available at http://www.njboatramps.org/ .

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