NJ Boating/fishing regulations question

[bulletbob]

Here in NY we have no "safe boaters course" or certificates that go along with the course.. We have it for personal watercraft only here, not motor vessels.
Now, I have rented motor boats in NJ for fluke fishing, and was never asked for any certificates... So if I trailer one of my own boats down this summer, and am stopped by the CG or NJ marine Police, am I in trouble??.. I could I suppose launch out of Great Kills, and avoid this problem, but I prefer launching in Leonardo.. I can't come down to NJ to get some sort of certificate just to take my my little boat out once or twice a year.. To me, it doesn't make sense that I would not be welcome to spend my money on the NJ side of the bay, but its fine on the NY side...

Also, I realize we can not fillet fluke on the water, but does the same apply to unregulated species like sea robins??.. If I want to keep lets say 5 or 6 big sea robins, do they have to stay intact, or can I keep 1 carcass just to show what they are???.. I know these are dumb questions, but I also know that on any given day, hundreds of boats in NJ are boarded, and I just don't need any hassles about keep a sea robin whole or producing a certificate that was never asked for while renting a motorized vessel in NJ.. any pertinent info would be appreciated... bob

[Gerry Zagorski]

In NJ you must have a safe boaters certificate to operate a boat or personal water craft.

I think rental companies have a way around this but not sure what it is.

As far a filleting fish, don't think any CO is going to give you a ticket for filleting sea robins at sea but they likely would for an undersized Fluke since they are highly regulated.

[Walleyed]

Can't answer the boat question....I suggest calling the NJ State Police and get their answer.

As far as filleting on the water, here's what the 2015 regs say:

The filleting at sea of all fish with a size limit, or any species of flatfish, is prohibited except for summer flounder; see Summer Flounder, page 12. No parts of any fish caught on a previous fishing trip shall be in possession.

Here's what it said about Fluke:

Anglers may fillet one legal-sized summer flounder from their daily possession limit catch for use as bait. This carcass, commonly known as the rack, shall be kept intact so it can be measured for compliance with the minimum size limit. No parts of any summer flounder caught on a previous fishing trip shall be in possession; only fish just caught on this outing.

[bulletbob]

About what I figured.. I will simply launch at Great Kills.. Connecticut also has no " safety course" requirements..
I have not towed any of my boats down to NJ in several years and things have changed. I will simply fish out of SI and out towards the Verrazano more.. I don't know that area well, usually caught plenty of fish on the Sandy Hook side, but I hear its good for fluke blues and bass over there.. I'll figure it out..
Good bottom fishing in the LI Sound off Westport CT, as well for Porgies, Sea Bass, Fluke Blues, Stripers... Again I don't know the area, but I'll figure it out, and its the same distance from me as AH is... Oh well, I guess NJ doesn't want "tourist dollars" from out of state boaters... I'll still go out on the NJ head boats.. They are the best in the business... bob

[Duffman]

Doesnt make any sense.

........So if your coming to Jersey for a vacation and towing your rig... you cant legally use it unless you pass the NJ safety course?

No way. Something aint right. Am I missing something? Which I usually do!

[Walleyed]

Originally Posted by Duffman

Doesnt make any sense.

........So if your coming to Jersey for a vacation and towing your rig... you cant legally use it unless you pass the NJ safety course?

No way. Something aint right. Am I missing something? Which I usually do!

Which is why I suggested that Bob call the State Police, since they are the issuers of the safe boating card.

[shrimpman steve]

From the New Jersey law:

Out-of-state residents who are at least 16 years old and in New Jersey for less than 90 days may operate a power ves- sel on the waters of the State of New Jersey if they possess a certificate issued by their state of residence or they have in their possession written proof of successful completion of a boat safety course approved by another state, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Walleye Wisherman

Which is why I suggested that Bob call the State Police, since they are the issuers of the safe boating card.

I went to the NJ State Police Marine site and this issue was addressed.. Yes you must pass a NJ course, OR one from another state which has reciprocity with NJ.. NY does not have this course...We have a mandatory course for personal water craft only for those born before 1996.. I doubt the NJ state police would accept that..

So to get the NJ boating course card, I would have to take the test in NJ.. There is NO provision to take the test online, you must take it in person.. Its not worth it.. I'll launch from Great Kills when fishing Raritan Bay, and start to learn the Connecticut shore of LI Sound.. Both destinations are about the same distance as AH from me.. Some good bottom fishing in Ct at times off of Norwalk.. I have some time to research it . I am retiring in June and was hoping on trailering my own boats to NJ every few weeks, now that time will be less of a factor.. We'll see, .. I have a lot of family still in NJ. and maybe I can get down there this summer for the test.. i will have to see whats involved.. What a pain in the ass.. NJ won't let out of state boaters on their waterways... Whatever,, I'll adjust... bob

[Capt. Debbie]

USCG don't care if you have a Boater Safety Certificate or not. That's strictly the state's stuff.

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Here in NY we have no "safe boaters course" or certificates that go along with the course.. We have it for personal watercraft only here, not motor vessels.
Now, I have rented motor boats in NJ for fluke fishing, and was never asked for any certificates... So if I trailer one of my own boats down this summer, and am stopped by the CG or NJ marine Police, am I in trouble??.. I could I suppose launch out of Great Kills, and avoid this problem, but I prefer launching in Leonardo.. I can't come down to NJ to get some sort of certificate just to take my my little boat out once or twice a year.. To me, it doesn't make sense that I would not be welcome to spend my money on the NJ side of the bay, but its fine on the NY side...

Also, I realize we can not fillet fluke on the water, but does the same apply to unregulated species like sea robins??.. If I want to keep lets say 5 or 6 big sea robins, do they have to stay intact, or can I keep 1 carcass just to show what they are???.. I know these are dumb questions, but I also know that on any given day, hundreds of boats in NJ are boarded, and I just don't need any hassles about keep a sea robin whole or producing a certificate that was never asked for while renting a motorized vessel in NJ.. any pertinent info would be appreciated... bob