Reach channel

[Irish Jigger]

Fished the reach today and had a decent day. Went way up near the fleet with nothing but shorts. Went back to the spot we had them Friday and got a keeper and a 6lbr on the first drift . Went back up again and put a 5lbr in the boat and just as the bite turns on we get a full boarding by the coast guard. An hour later and a stiff south wind the bite was over. Great few drifts but who knows what could have been the guys have to do their job!!!

[Bucktailboys.com]

We fished there as well and had a good day until that WIND!!! Stayed away from the fleet too. Will post report and pics when I get back home.

[Billfish715]

It's an interesting comment about political correctness. The Coast Guard randomly stops and boards your boat. They spend an hour checking your safety equipment, boat registration. boating license, fishing registration, etc. all in the name of safety! On the other hand, if a policeman stops, questions, and frisks an individual, it is unacceptable behavior on the part of the police and is condemned and now illegal. Yet they both serve the same purpose.........safety.
Being stopped by the CG is inconvenient but necessary. It makes everyone stay on his toes about being on the water and thereby insuring everyone's well-being.
It's too bad about your loss of fishing time on a hot bite. I wish they would be around more often in places where the wave runners are out of control. The presence of State Police, Coast Guard, or Fish and Game goes a long way to deter crimes, encourage safety, and promote security.

[Joey Dah Fish]

It's an interesting comment about political correctness. The Coast Guard randomly stops and boards your boat. They spend an hour checking your safety equipment, boat registration. boating license, fishing registration, etc. all in the name of safety! On the other hand, if a policeman stops, questions, and frisks an individual, it is unacceptable behavior on the part of the police and is condemned and now illegal. Yet they both serve the same purpose.........safety.
Being stopped by the CG is inconvenient but necessary. It makes everyone stay on his toes about being on the water and thereby insuring everyone's well-being.
It's too bad about your loss of fishing time on a hot bite. I wish they would be around more often in places where the wave runners are out of control. The presence of State Police, Coast Guard, or Fish and Game goes a long way to deter crimes, encourage safety, and promote security.
I've been boarded a few times in the last 10 years. All I have to say is these guys and gals are very professional , courteous and informative. I would like to thank them all for doing a great job. Thanks for serving us.

[BCinerie]

Was boarded on my maiden voyage on my boat. Thankfully I had all in order
They were very professional and quick. 10 min and done and back on my way.
I will say I am glad to see them just please let them bother someone else !

[NoLimit]

Since more safety is better than less safety, how about the Coast Guard working marinas instead of open water? They can check dozens of boats in the time it takes to check one on the water. If boats are trailered, they can also check the hull and through hull fittings for structural issues.

[Capt. Debbie]

The USCG Auxilarists do that at dock and marina stuff. It's a coutesy and you can tell them no too. Dont want to waste a real USCG asset or personnel at a marina. Besides you cant get a ticket tied to dock or on a trailer with safety issues.

BTW- never heard of USCG checking fishing licenses, operator licenses or catch sizes inside 3 mile limit. Usually its federal Law enforcement.

Wonder why some people get stopped so often? Must look shady? LOL





Since more safety is better than less safety, how about the Coast Guard working marinas instead of open water? They can check dozens of boats in the time it takes to check one on the water. If boats are trailered, they can also check the hull and through hull fittings for structural issues.

[mako28]

I thank them for their service but lets talk wasting our money. Two years back in Raritan Bay I see a CG Cutter eastbound in the reach channel. The boat slows to a stop and deploys an inflatable with 6 on the raft, blue lights on coming right at us as we were alone on the flats. Boarded by 3 of the 6 I asked " are you guys from Sandy Hook"? They said they were deployed from Portland Maine for two weeks to patrol this area. I said to myself WTF. I then asked " where do you go in two weeks? They said, back to Maine for one week then back to this area again. Everything checked out as I let them look around, answered questions and we continued to fish all the while, I was catching and fish were flopping at their feet. Not their fault, but their superiors making these wasteful decisions to burn all this fuel, back and forth, back and forth non sense. There isn't another CG boat closer that could have assisted in this area??? Just another crazy way the brains waste our money.

[Irish Jigger]

They launched from a cutter in Bayonne. They were very nice guys and very professional. They did run both of our drivers licenses and the boat checked out fine. They even opened my bilge area in the stern to inspect wiring?? All and all it's nice to know they are there to save my butt if something goes wrong. I was given what they called the "golden ticket" which was the copy that everything was up to standards and to show that form if there was ever another potential boarding. Again very professional.