tagging bluefish in NJ

[NJ219bands]

6/2/2014 I caught, tagged and released a 21" fork length bluefish in Manasquan Inlet, NJ, that was recaptured on the Rockaway Reef, NY, 9/12/2014, at 28" tail length. The fisherman removed the tag, then released the fish. Bluefish grow very fast. I tagged 2,143 bluefish in NJ and 26 were recaptured from the Cape Cod Canal to Atlantic Beach, NC. In 2005, I tagged 304 blues and had 7 recaptured. The world's greatest fish tagger, Captain Al Anderson who has tagged > 60,000 fish, only had 6 bluefish recaptures that year. I tagged all of my blues while fishing from shore in Manasquan Inlet and Barnegat Inlet. I only tagged 20 bluefish this year and was very happy to get a return. Now I have 238 fish tag returns. None of the 51 sundials that I tagged the past 2 years were recaptured and none of the 81 sea bass that I tagged in Barnegat Inlet in 2007 were recaptured. I believe that predators capture small tagged fish because the tag makes the fish more visible and slows them down.

[emcjim]

6/2/2014 I caught, tagged and released a 21" fork length bluefish in Manasquan Inlet, NJ, that was recaptured on the Rockaway Reef, NY, 9/12/2014, at 28" tail length. The fisherman removed the tag, then released the fish. Bluefish grow very fast. I tagged 2,143 bluefish in NJ and 26 were recaptured from the Cape Cod Canal to Atlantic Beach, NC. In 2005, I tagged 304 blues and had 7 recaptured. The world's greatest fish tagger, Captain Al Anderson who has tagged > 60,000 fish, only had 6 bluefish recaptures that year. I tagged all of my blues while fishing from shore in Manasquan Inlet and Barnegat Inlet. I only tagged 20 bluefish this year and was very happy to get a return. Now I have 238 fish tag returns. None of the 51 sundials that I tagged the past 2 years were recaptured and none of the 81 sea bass that I tagged in Barnegat Inlet in 2007 were recaptured. I believe that predators capture small tagged fish because the tag makes the fish more visible and slows them down.

Excellent post! A few years ago, my article "NFL Bluefish" was published in the "Underwater Naturerlist". PM me if you would like a copy. When I 1st started tagging, I tagged many bluefish. W/ no returns, I stopped using tags on bluefish. Al Ristori once made a statement that he "considered tagging bluefish a waste of time." Congrats on your returns! W/ your results, perhaps you should write a sequel to my article. If you arrive at a different conclusion, so be it! Facts are facts, results are results.

[Cuz]

Where did you purchase your tags?
I'm very interested in starting a tagging program on my boat. I called the Littorial Society and their price for a few tags was ridiculous. I wanted to buy a hundred tags from them this past spring. They told me they couldn't sell me that many. I can't figure what their scheme is besides making money. Left me thinking they really don't care much for fish migration. If they did they would offer a package deal for large quantities of tags. This will get more tags in the water that they would be able to trace. This would help greatly with the results that can be used for documentation.
After reading your post I have decided to start my own study using my own tags. Thanks for the idea.

[Denlon]

Over the years, I've tagged about 100 undersized fluke from the Navesink/Shrewsbury rivers. I've been relatively disappointed about returns. I had only one return about 5 years ago about 3 months after I tagged it. It was caught out in the False Hook Channel and had grown only about 1 1/2 inches. I've also tagged many, many sea robins with no returns.

Denny

[NJ219bands]

Where did you purchase your tags?
I'm very interested in starting a tagging program on my boat. I called the Littorial Society and their price for a few tags was ridiculous. I wanted to buy a hundred tags from them this past spring. They told me they couldn't sell me that many. I can't figure what their scheme is besides making money. Left me thinking they really don't care much for fish migration. If they did they would offer a package deal for large quantities of tags. This will get more tags in the water that they would be able to trace. This would help greatly with the results that can be used for documentation.
After reading your post I have decided to start my own study using my own tags. Thanks for the idea.

I use ALS tags at 60 cents each. They are tax deductible.

[Denlon]

I use ALS tags at 60 cents each. They are tax deductible.

I also used the American Littoral Society (ALS) tags which were given to us at our fishing club meetings (Central Jersey Anglers) by Derry Bennett when he was a guest speaker at our meetings. Derry also sold them to us (and other genuine fishing clubs) at about half price the rest of the year.

Since then, I broke my leg, sold my Grady White boat, and gave away the few remaining tags I had. So I'm out of the tagging business.

Note: Derry passed away in December 2009 at the age of 79. I fished for Stripers with him a few times on the hook. Great guy!

Denny

[shresearchdude]

I cannot confirm this statement based on years of watching tagged fish in our confined tanks. I have never seen a predator attack a tag, no matter what color or size of the tag or the fish:)

"I believe that predators capture small tagged fish because the tag makes the fish more visible and slows them down"