An email from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW) on April 1 reminds anglers that the following recreational regulations are in now in effect:
Striped Bass
- 1 fish at least 28” to less than 38” in total length
- Striped Bass Bonus Program is tentatively scheduled to open May 15 (due to the unprecedented situation with COVID-19, the opening of the 2020 Striped Bass Bonus Program may be delayed).
Bluefish
- 3 fish (no size limit) for all other anglers.
- 5 fish (no size limit) for any person fishing from a party/charter vessel with a valid Federal party/charter vessel permit, and captained by a properly credentialed operator with a valid US Coast Guard endorsement.
As the new bluefish regulations pertain to for-hire trips, the NJDFW outlined the following five bullet points; however, no mention was made as to the operation of charter and party boats during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Any angler fishing from a charter/party vessel, captained by a properly credentialed operator with a valid USCG endorsement and valid Federal party/charter permit, may land five fish, including the captain and his mates.
- Federal law restricts captains and their mates from pooling catch.
- If a charter/party boat holds a federal commercial permit, they are subject to a 5‐fish limit when carrying passengers for hire.
- Private recreational vessels not fishing under a bluefish commercial permit or charter vessel permit may land three fish (per person).
- The owner, operator and crew of a charter/party boat issued a bluefish commercial permit are not subject to the recreational possession limit when not carrying passengers for hire and when the crew size does not exceed five for a party boat and three for a charter boat (these are commercial trips, and the commercial 9” minimum size limit applies)
