Opening day fluke Shark River

[jakesdad]

Got an early start as low was at 8:30, caught lots of shorts off the park and 3 keepers before the outgoing tide died, Waited out til the incoming and could not buy a hit. Ran up into the river, put 3 more keepers in the boat and many shorts.

Ended the trip with 6 keepers for 2 of us, water temp on the outgoing 57.8, on the incoming 54.6. After a little recon yesterday, I expected more.

Fish and Game was on the water checking coolers, they went by once and just waved, when they saw us catching they came right up alongside.

Let's all enjoy the Fluke season, and please be respectful of everyone, there are enough fish to go around.

[jerseyhunter]

Not a bad start, Glad to hear the F&G are on patrol.

[stevelikes2fish]

When they came in past the CG station, saw 2 rentals and a private boat tossing back 12" fish. One boater decided to scoot up the lagoon, F&G lowered there antenna and went after him. That's why I dislike fishing the river. Always see the river jerkweeds keeping way undersized fish.

[PA Angler Matt]

Fished shark river today 630am-1pm in the rentals. Three of us on boat it was slow. Caught about 15 with 1 keeper. Saw the fish and game bust the rental by the CG station. Talked to those guys as we passed askin if they had shorts and they told us yes they did, because they were measuring with the fluke mouths open!!!! What fn idiots. Come on. Then they told us the F&G didn't even give them fines since they didn't know the mouth has to be closed. If this is true, that's a shame.

[dakota560]

Fished shark river today 630am-1pm in the rentals. Three of us on boat it was slow. Caught about 15 with 1 keeper. Saw the fish and game bust the rental by the CG station. Talked to those guys as we passed askin if they had shorts and they told us yes they did, because they were measuring with the fluke mouths open!!!! What fn idiots. Come on. Then they told us the F&G didn't even give them fines since they didn't know the mouth has to be closed. If this is true, that's a shame.

If F&G are too aggressive, people complain, if they give the guy a break, people complain. You should be appreciative they're making their presence known. Maybe the people in question legitimately didn't know what they were doing, who knows. I think in many cases the way you treat the authorities will have a lot to do with the outcome of the situation. I'm not saying breaking the rules should be subjective, but sometimes finding someone who shows some compassion is a very good thing.....in my opinion. Bad enough the guys who were caught spent quite a bit on money on boat rental, food, gas to get there and who knows what else. Maybe they even had a kid on board and the F&G guys decided to give them a break. No a bad gesture and a whole lot better than the guys who let their badge and authority go to their heads. Two sides to every coin! In my opinion, nice gesture by F&G!

Dakota

[PA Angler Matt]

Maybe I should have mentioned the boat of guys I'm talking about were all 23-30year old guys who we ran into at 7-11 in morning. They were in a rented uhaul and were being aholes at 7-11 at 6am. Not to mention when we asked them if they had shorts the one kid gave the sarcastic bad ass smirk as if he knew damn well they were doing something they shouldn't. It was def shady, and bullshit they were let go with such a lame excuse IMO. I agree Dakota to what ur point is 100%, however these clowns were those token fishing aholes who don't give a damn about the rules of the sport.

[rumster]

I am a retired law enforcement officer after 25 years of service. With that being said we all know that there are all types of people of on the water, but in spite of the fact the guys in the 7/11 were a h**** in someones opinion....The real problem is the science behind the size limits and the amount of fish we keep. You might as well pull numbers out of a hat. It`s a system that justfiies the bureaucracy wether the fishes mouth is open or closed.

[SharkHart]

They checked boats in the squan today, I saw one get a ticket

[Reelron]

They checked boats in the squan today, I saw one get a ticket

I believe that just the knowledge that the F & W guys are out there and active can help. For most the fear of having to pay for keeping a short fish or two will be enough to deter them. Its called proactive enforcement works a whole lot better than reactive enforcement.

Jakesdad, sounds like you had a pretty good day. Thanks for the report.