I’ve been at The Fisherman long enough to witness a lot of “bait and tackle” trends in the striper fishery.  When I first started in the early 2000s, clam bellies with heavy chum was the way to go when anchoring up along the rips and shoals for stripers.  This was about the time of the bunker reduction bill here in New Jersey that would eliminate commercial harvest for menhaden reduction inside 3 miles, which in turn caused some menhaden bait harvesters to “blacklist” anglers who had pushed hard in favor of the bill.  That friction quickly subsided, especially as inshore bunker populations soon exploded.

If you remember those “olden days” the spring run in particular was punctuated by bunker busting bass, which saw the return of big-bodied striper lures like metal lips and large woods, somewhat of a renaissance in the plug turning world.  The softer Storm shad became a big seller as well, soon followed by the Tsunami swim shad which would evolve in new shapes, sizes and colors to match the hatch, by boat or by beach.

When Tony “Maja” Arcabascio began selling his time-tested bunker spoons, he was more than willing to share game-changing tips and tactics, something that many of the “bunker spoon” guys in the NY Bight weren’t so willing to disclose.  With more and more menhaden came the now ubiquitous Stretch from Mann’s – the national tackle version of Xerox or Kleenex – though Rapala also had their Magnum while Bomber released their Certified Depth (CD) trolling plugs.

I remember picking up a feature story from our old Mid-Atlantic edition on the mojo sometime in the mid-2000s, a big ‘ol skirted jig to which an unrigged swim shad was attached.  For folks trolling along sandy bottom, this would become the new hot thing for another 15 years.  Surfcasters meanwhile continually relied on the old Finnish style plastics (Bombers, Red Fins, et al), until Daiwa released its Salt Pro (SP) Minnow in 2017 soon becoming the one plug that no bag should be without; well, until maybe Yo-Zuri’s Mag Darter.

I’m just scratching the surface, obviously; there have been hundreds of “must have” tackle advances in the world of striper fishing, by countless manufacturers, many of which have been crossovers from the freshwater arena.  There’s the Ben Parker flutter spoon from Nichols transitioning about 10 years ago, along with all of the soft and hard plastics, jerkbaits to spinnerbaits and everything in between.

Which brings me to something that The Fisherman’s editors reference for writing and editing, our “stylebook.”  It’s essentially a standard guide to spelling in the boating and fishing world.  We haven’t updated it in a number of years, so honestly, I can’t say if jerkbait should be one word or two!  And then, out comes the hottest thing in 2026, by boat or by beach, the glidebait – or is it a glide bait?

“I think glide bait (two words) is the common use,” said The Fisherman’s publisher Mike Caruso, adding “That’s how most tackle companies, retailers write it when referring to the lure category.”  Long Island edition managing editor Matt Broderick concurred, saying “I’ve commonly seen glide bait whenever I do a search on them.”

“I typically write it glidebait,” said New England managing editor Dave Anderson, adding “I based it off of other things like spinnerbait, jerkbait, wakebait…all accepted parts of fishing vernacular.”  I spent a day plugging on the Raritan last month with Chris Bishop from Yo-Zuri, testing their new 7-inch Hydro Twitchbait coming out later this season, which is essentially another crossover from the freshwater world that’s not defined in our editorial “stylebook.”   In vernacular terms, I’m not sure if it’s a twitch bait or twitchbait?

I don’t know how it is where you work, but around our shop these are the profound watercooler discussions we have on a daily basis.

Or is it a water cooler?

New Jersey saltwater anglers who register for free to fish in marine waters but rarely take advantage of the state’s incredible freshwater options may want to head inland this Saturday, June 6th to enjoy some free freshwater fishing.

Every year, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and its Division of Fish & Wildlife open up two days of freshwater fishing where no license or trout stamp is required.  The first of New Jersey’s Free Fishing Days for 2026 is this Saturday, June 6, followed by one on September 26, 2026. On these dates, New Jersey residents and non-residents can fish the state’s public fresh waters without a fishing license or trout stamp.

The June date aligns with National Fishing and Boating Week, while the September date aligns with National Hunting and Fishing Day.  While no license is required, anglers should remember that all other fishing regulations remain strictly enforced, including daily catch limits, fishing hours, and size restrictions.

Check out JB Kasper’s weekly freshwater report from The Fisherman for the latest in sweetwater action in the New Jersey, Delaware Bay region, and for more details on Saturday’s Free Fishing Day, including license and trout stamp requirements that start back up again on Sunday go to njfishandwildlife.com.

This Saturday, June 6, the Women’s Surf Fishing Club of New Jersey celebrates their 74th year and their 40th surf fishing tournament, on the beach at Brigantine.  Sanctioned by the Association of Surf Angling Clubs, this tournament is open to women, men, and youth, both teams and individuals.

For surfcasters who’ve not already registered, enter onsite from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church at 1501 West Brigantine Avenue in Brigantine.  Entry is $20 per individual, $80 per six-member team.  A one-day 4X4 beach pass will be available during the registration hour for $10, while the club is providing transportation to anyone needing a ride to the beach.

First tournament position is from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by position two running from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the event.   The Mermaid Cup will be awarded for largest fish, while the heralded Florence Pancoast Memorial Youth Award will also be given to the largest fish for young surfcasters.

The Women’s Surf Fishing Club of New Jersey was founded to promote the sport of surf fishing, and endorses marine conservation while inspiring camaraderie among women. The club also encourages participation in events that benefit women’s causes.  For details contact Reggi Vasta at 215-901-2474 or cozmofaerie@aol.com.

Each and every spring for 12 years (except during COVID), New Jersey’s first of the season one-day summer flounder tournament is run out of the Bass River in New Gretna; what first started immediately after Superstorm Sandy as the RFA Bass River Classic is now the Valhalla Flounder Open, presented by Valhalla Yacht Sales and Breeze’s Bar and Grill.

On Saturday, May 17th, 75 boats participated in this year’s Valhalla Flounder Open between the Barnegat Bay to Corson’s Inlet, with 62 summer flounder weighed in and one grand champion – Bent Hook captained by Jonathan Ginsburg – sweeping the top prizes to the tune of $9,120.

The Bent Hook team had a 6.62-pound fluke, tops of the entire tournament field, which was good for the $5,040 “Doormat Calcutta,” en route to a two-fish bag of 12.32 pounds for another $2,000 for the top prize, along with $2,080 for the “Big Bag Calcutta” of three fish at 16.19 pounds.

Second place and $1,250 went to team Finsulation captained by William Schwanda (9.15 pounds), followed by Jeff Reese’s Chubb Club in third for $750 (7.98 pounds).  The crew from Ukie led by Paul Kuras (6.3 pounds) nabbed fourth and $500, while team Bulletproof captained by Tim Bush took $250 for fifth (6.26 pounds).

Other presenting sponsors of the annual Valhalla Flounder Open include Barlow Auto Group, Contender Boats and The Fisherman Magazine.  Tournament proceeds to support the Fisheries Conservation Trust and furthering children’s medical research, combat veterans and fisheries science.  Lear more at fisheriesconservationtrust.org

The 35th Annual Governor’s Cup was held on May 17 at Island Beach State Park. Acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was on-site to congratulate tournament winners and assist with the awards ceremony, personally presenting Ronald Newby of Toms River with the 2026 Governor’s Cup award for his 31-6/8-inch bluefish.  Newby received an Airwave Surf Rod and Shield II reel donated by Tsunami and will receive a plaque, with his name being engraved on the Governor’s Cup to be permanently on display at Island Beach State Park.

Ten schools competed in the High School Team category with five entering fish into the tournament.  It was Manasquan High School in Monmouth County with a 31-inch striped bass taking first place. Manasquan High School will receive a first-place plaque and have their name engraved on the High School Team Trophy, which is on display at Island Beach State Park. Second and third place will receive plaques with the next biggest entries.

Larson Ford generously provided transportation to the beach for disabled veteran anglers fishing in the tournament. This was the third year including a Military Veteran’s Category for the veteran who landed the overall largest, eligible and legal sized fish. Jose Lopez of Camden won this category with a 28 6/8” striped bass and received a Sandstorm rod donated by Grumpys Tackle and a Penn Battle IV reel donated by Hook House Bait & Tackle.

The event was sponsored by the NJDEP’s Fish & Wildlife and State Park Service, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, NJ Beach Buggy Association and New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. More than $150,000 has been raised since the inception of the tournament for conservation and education projects and improved beach access.

In addition to the grand prize, a dozen anglers received rod and reel combinations for their prize-winning fish in the summer flounder, black drum, bluefish, and striped bass categories. Categories are further broken down for children, teen, and adult anglers, including subcategories for male and female anglers.

High School Team Category

First:                Manasquan High School (30-4/8” striped bass at 9a.m.)

Second:           Seton Hall Preparatory School (30-4/8” striped bass at 9:15 a.m.)

Third:               Emerson High School (29-2/8” striped bass)

Military Veteran’s

First:                Jose Lopez, Camden (28-6/8” striped bass)

Black Drum

First:                Stanley Passaretta, Waretown (25 4/8”)

Summer Flounder

First:                Tyler Bender, Easton, PA (17 1/8”)

Striped Bass – Teen (Male)

First:                James Mauti, Toms River (31”)

Second:           Cayden Sellitto, Little Falls (30 5/8”)

Third:               Avery Kerber, Manasquan HS (30 4/8”)

Striped Bass – Adult (Female)

First:                Dawn Sweeney, Andover (30 7/8”)

Second:           Margaret Crossley, Mt. Laurel (30 2/8”)

Third:               Rose Daddino, Toms River (30”)

Striped Bass – Adult (Male)

First:                Jacob Harvey, Millville (31” at 8:30 a.m.)

Second:           Michael DiGiovanni, Freehold (31” at 10:20 a.m.)

Third:               Jack Henley, Flemington (30 7/8”)

Bluefish – Adult (Male)

First:                Ronald Newby, Toms River (31-6/8” Governor’s Cup winner)

Second:           Patrick Halpin, Newton (31-2/8”)

Replace those rusted hooks on your favorite plugs and pore over your logs. The legendary Surf Rats Ball catch-and-release striped bass tournament is officially returning for its annual run from June 1 through June 30. For 30 straight days, surfcasters from all across the region will hit the suds, chasing linesiders and ultimate bragging rights in the Northeast’s favorite month-long grind.

This isn’t your average, fishing derby. The Surf Rats Ball is built by surfcasters, for surfcasters, keeping the vibe high and the competition fierce. It’s a pure catch-and-release format, meaning we protect the fishery we love while still proving who owns the night.

But it’s not just about the glory of beaching a monster fish in the dark. This tournament carries a deeper purpose, with proceeds directly benefiting Kids Need More, an awesome charity organization dedicated to helping families coping with life-altering medical illnesses.

Whether you’re a seasoned sharpie who lives in your waders or a weekend warrior just getting your boots wet, the Ball is open to all skill levels. If you love the surfcasting culture, you belong here.

Ready to get in on the action? Getting your name on the board is simple. A $35 membership secured through the official website gets you into the game and unlocks your shot at the leaderboard.

Don’t miss the tide. For the full rundown on tournament rules, registration details, and to lock in your spot before the June 1 kickoff, head over to surfratsball.com.

Get ready to dig in your Korkered heels, the countdown to June is officially over!

Just in time for the upcoming Free Fishing Weekend (June 6-7), the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) announced the launch of the Hooks and Books program, a new partnership with public libraries across Massachusetts that provides free access to fishing equipment for local communities. Through this innovative program, participating libraries will offer rod-and-reel kits available for loan—just like borrowing a book—making it easier than ever for people of all ages and backgrounds to try fishing without purchasing gear.

“Fishing is a great way to connect with nature, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the outdoors,” said MassWildlife Acting Director Eve Schlüter. “Libraries are welcoming, accessible spaces that play a vital role in connecting communities with resources and new experiences, making them an ideal partner for this initiative.”

After an initial pilot with Greenfield Public Library last year, MassWildlife is expanding this program to more than 25 libraries statewide this summer, with additional locations expected to join in the future.

“The fishing kits are a fun addition to Greenfield’s Library of Things,” said Greenfield Public Library Information Services Assistant Pamela McBride. “We launched the program last summer and it was an immediate hit with our patrons. The kits are perfect for beginners and young families, and contain everything needed, including helpful hints, for a relaxing day outdoors!”

2026 Participating libraries include:

Ashfield

Boston (Central in Copley Square, Connolly, East Boston, Faneuil, Grove Hall, Honan-Allston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, South Boston, Uphams Corner branches)

Brockton (Main branch)

Fitchburg

Framingham (Main branch)

Gardner

Greenfield

Lee

Leominster

North Adams

North Attleborough

Springfield (All branches)

Worcester (Main branch)

Each loaner kit includes basic fishing equipment and educational materials to help beginners get started, including information on local fishing spots, how to identify fish, and fishing regulations. The program is designed to complement MassWildlife’s broader efforts to increase participation in fishing and other outdoor recreation. By partnering with trusted community hubs like libraries, MassWildlife aims to reach new audiences and make fishing more accessible to all.

Additional opportunities to get started fishing

If your local library is not yet participating in Hooks and Books, you can still join MassWildlife at one of many free fishing clinics offered throughout the summer. These beginner-friendly events provide hands-on instruction, equipment, and guidance from experienced staff, making them a great way to learn the basics and build confidence on the water.

“We want everyone to have the chance to experience fishing, regardless of their background or access to equipment,” said MassWildlife Angler Education Coordinator Jim Lagacy. “Whether it’s through a local library, a free fishing clinic, or Free Fishing Weekend, there are more opportunities than ever to get started fishing.”

Click here for more information to get started fishing. Equipment and support for the Hooks and Books program was provided by the Massachusetts Community Biodiversity Grants program and Bass Pro Shops.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is pleased to invite residents and visitors alike to discover the joys of the great outdoors during the Commonwealth’s annual Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend, taking place on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026. For these two full days, the standard requirement to obtain a recreational freshwater fishing license is completely waived for all anglers.

This special statewide event offers a perfect, barrier-free opportunity for families, beginners, and lapsed anglers to give fishing a try. Under this initiative, any resident or non-resident can fish without a license across public freshwater bodies throughout Massachusetts, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

Key Details to Know Before You Go

• Statewide Access: The license exemption applies entirely to all public freshwater fishing spots statewide. Anglers are also reminded that marine saltwater fishing in Massachusetts is always free and does not require a recreational saltwater permit.
• Regulatory Compliance: While the license fee is waived for the weekend, all other state angling rules and regulations remain strictly in effect. Anglers must continue to follow legal catch limits, minimum size requirements, and gear restrictions.
• Gear Rental & Resources: Equipment can be borrowed directly through participating libraries via the Hooks and Books program. Anglers looking to check for specific fishing regulations, download size/creel limits, or find local waterways should visit the official website of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

MassWildlife encourages participants to share their weekend catches and outdoor memories on social media using official state conservation tags, helping to foster a vibrant community of environmental stewardship across the Commonwealth.

Environmental Conservation Officers patrolling Hempstead Harbor issued multiple striped bass violations during a late-night enforcement operation on April 16. According to officials, ECOs Franz and Pabes responded to reports of anglers allegedly keeping over-the-limit striped bass along the harbor shoreline and called in ECO DeRose along with K9 Finn to assist with the investigation in the heavily wooded area.

While checking a large group of anglers, K9 Finn located an oversized striped bass hidden near the fishing area and alerted officers to its location. One angler admitted to catching the fish and was issued a summons for possessing an illegal striped bass. Current recreational regulations in Nassau County marine waters allow anglers to keep one striped bass per day measuring between 28 and 31 inches.

As officers escorted the group back toward a nearby parking area, they noticed a pickup truck parked off to the side of the lot in an apparent attempt to avoid detection. After investigating, officers discovered the vehicle belonged to the same angler previously ticketed for the oversized bass. Inside the truck, ECOs located four striped bass, well over the legal possession limit. The angler received a second ticket for possessing more than the daily limit of striped bass.

Officers also ticketed another angler in a separate case that same night for keeping an oversized striped bass.

The New York State DEC and Department of State are inviting the public to help shape the future of New York’s Ocean Action Plan during a special side meeting scheduled for June 8 at Stony Brook University. The session will take place during the 2026 State of the Science on Offshore Energy, Wildlife, and Fisheries conference and is open to anyone interested in providing feedback on the next 10-year planning cycle.

Originally launched in 2017, New York’s Ocean Action Plan was developed to guide management decisions for offshore and estuarine habitats using the best available science while balancing environmental, commercial and recreational interests. With the current plan set to conclude in 2027, state officials are now evaluating progress and identifying future priorities for the next decade.

Topics expected to be discussed during the public session include changing offshore energy policies, emerging industries such as deep-sea mining and carbon capture, and ways to improve regional monitoring and data collection efforts. Officials say the meeting will focus on maintaining ecological health, promoting sustainable growth, improving coastal resilience and strengthening public stewardship of New York’s marine resources.

The meeting is free to attend and does not require registration for the larger conference. Officials encourage anglers, boaters, conservation groups and other ocean stakeholders to participate in the discussion as planning begins for the next phase of New York’s Ocean Action Plan.

The New York State DEC, along with researchers from Stony Brook University and Cornell Cooperative Extension, is once again looking for volunteers to assist with the New York Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network. The long-running community science program relies on volunteers to walk local beaches during survey nights to count and tag spawning horseshoe crabs.

The survey helps researchers monitor spawning activity, abundance, movement, survival rates and habitat use of horseshoe crabs throughout New York waters. Officials say the data collected by volunteers plays an important role in conservation efforts and helps support sustainable fisheries management decisions.

Volunteers of all experience levels are encouraged to participate. Those interested in joining the New York Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey can visit nyhorseshoecrab.org for additional information, training details and registration opportunities.

The New York State DEC is reminding anglers and beachgoers to report any dead sharks or sturgeon found along shorelines or in local waters as part of the agency’s ongoing Shark and Sturgeon Salvage Program. According to DEC officials, deceased sharks and sturgeon occasionally wash ashore due to fishery interactions, boating strikes, predation, disease, parasites or natural causes.

DEC staff collect biological data from these animals including species, size, sex and overall condition. When possible, carcasses are recovered for necropsies to help determine the cause of death. Tissue and biological samples are also shared with researchers and academic institutions to support ongoing scientific studies and fisheries management efforts.

Anglers and beachgoers are advised not to handle dead sharks or sturgeon, as possession is prohibited. Instead, DEC asks the public to report sightings through the Marine Life Incident Report online survey or by phone. Reports for Hudson River sturgeon can be made by calling 845-256-3073, while sharks and sturgeon found in marine waters should be reported to 631-444-0444.

When reporting an incident, DEC asks the public to provide the exact location or coordinates, estimated length of the fish, condition of the carcass, visible signs of trauma and photographs whenever possible.

I’ve been at The Fisherman long enough to witness a lot of “bait and tackle” trends in the striper fishery.  When I first started in the early 2000s, clam bellies with heavy chum was the way to go when anchoring up along the rips and shoals for stripers.  This was about the time of the bunker reduction bill here in New Jersey that would eliminate commercial harvest for menhaden reduction inside 3 miles, which in turn caused some menhaden bait harvesters to “blacklist” anglers who had pushed hard in favor of the bill.  That friction quickly subsided, especially as inshore bunker populations soon exploded.

If you remember those “olden days” the spring run in particular was punctuated by bunker busting bass, which saw the return of big-bodied striper lures like metal lips and large woods, somewhat of a renaissance in the plug turning world.  The softer Storm shad became a big seller as well, soon followed by the Tsunami swim shad which would evolve in new shapes, sizes and colors to match the hatch, by boat or by beach.

When Tony “Maja” Arcabascio began selling his time-tested bunker spoons, he was more than willing to share game-changing tips and tactics, something that many of the “bunker spoon” guys in the NY Bight weren’t so willing to disclose.  With more and more menhaden came the now ubiquitous Stretch from Mann’s – the national tackle version of Xerox or Kleenex – though Rapala also had their Magnum while Bomber released their Certified Depth (CD) trolling plugs.

I remember picking up a feature story from our old Mid-Atlantic edition on the mojo sometime in the mid-2000s, a big ‘ol skirted jig to which an unrigged swim shad was attached.  For folks trolling along sandy bottom, this would become the new hot thing for another 15 years.  Surfcasters meanwhile continually relied on the old Finnish style plastics (Bombers, Red Fins, et al), until Daiwa released its Salt Pro (SP) Minnow in 2017 soon becoming the one plug that no bag should be without; well, until maybe Yo-Zuri’s Mag Darter.

I’m just scratching the surface, obviously; there have been hundreds of “must have” tackle advances in the world of striper fishing, by countless manufacturers, many of which have been crossovers from the freshwater arena.  There’s the Ben Parker flutter spoon from Nichols transitioning about 10 years ago, along with all of the soft and hard plastics, jerkbaits to spinnerbaits and everything in between.

Which brings me to something that The Fisherman’s editors reference for writing and editing, our “stylebook.”  It’s essentially a standard guide to spelling in the boating and fishing world.  We haven’t updated it in a number of years, so honestly, I can’t say if jerkbait should be one word or two!  And then, out comes the hottest thing in 2026, by boat or by beach, the glidebait – or is it a glide bait?

“I think glide bait (two words) is the common use,” said The Fisherman’s publisher Mike Caruso, adding “That’s how most tackle companies, retailers write it when referring to the lure category.”  Long Island edition managing editor Matt Broderick concurred, saying “I’ve commonly seen glide bait whenever I do a search on them.”

“I typically write it glidebait,” said New England managing editor Dave Anderson, adding “I based it off of other things like spinnerbait, jerkbait, wakebait…all accepted parts of fishing vernacular.”  I spent a day plugging on the Raritan last month with Chris Bishop from Yo-Zuri, testing their new 7-inch Hydro Twitchbait coming out later this season, which is essentially another crossover from the freshwater world that’s not defined in our editorial “stylebook.”   In vernacular terms, I’m not sure if it’s a twitch bait or twitchbait?

I don’t know how it is where you work, but around our shop these are the profound watercooler discussions we have on a daily basis.

Or is it a water cooler?

I think anyone that has fished for any species for a long time and obsessively followed their movements and patterns, uses the term “those fish” to describe an expected body of stripers or groundfish or bluefin or fluke… or whatever species you like. And while it might be a bit of stretch to assume that we know for a fact that “those fish” are the same fish or that “those fish” will do what we expect them to do. I’ve realized that this is kind of a term of endearment.

I feel like we think of whatever body of fish is our own personal version of “those fish” is a timestamp of a moment of reset, and something like an old friend to welcome back. Like a friendly rivalry of sorts, although I don’ know if “those fish” would agree. For me, as each seasonal segment passes, it feels like a small relief that the next body of “those fish” shows up where I expect them to. And on those seasons when they don’t, the feeling falls somewhere in the overlap between panic, worry and sadness.

It’s almost like we seek to throw a blanket of personality onto different bodies of fish that we expect to find in specific places during the season. You might hear or even say things like, “Those fish won’t be here until the new moon in June” or “Those fish don’t like it when tide runs high and dirty.” Or it might be something that comes out in a fit of frustration, “Those fish hit wouldn’t anything!” Or, “Those fish didn’t show up this year!”

Sometimes this phrase is gilded within words of wisdom, “Don’t bother, after a wind change like this, those fish will be long gone.” Or, “I’ve gotta get home, but those fish were all over a black Super Strike Darter, I’d put one on if I were you!” The concept that a mob of stripers or bluefin or albies might show a definitive collective preference for size, action or color is baffling, since we – as humans – are all so individual in our thinking and preferences. Even if we were standing in line for ice cream with 100 other humans, you might get 100 unique orders, but “those fish” so often, just aren’t like that.

The hardest part, for the average angler – meaning those who aren’t blessed with the time or profession that keeps them out tracking the movements of “those fish” on a daily basis – is that 90% of the time, you’re fishing for something that you can’t see and that can disappear without a trace without you noticing. For me, this is at the center of why I have found myself so universally enthralled with fishing since I fell in love with it at age 7. This isn’t tracking deer who leave footprints, scrapes and rubs, they’re not birds that fly and have to land somewhere where a keen-eyed hunter or birder can visually log their movements. Those fish are shielded by the mirrored surface, suspended in a liquid that affords a full sphere of directions and they can move undetected in whatever direction they want to.

I’ve always said that it takes imagination and a willingness to be wrong to be anything more than just someone who likes to fish. By now, we all know that “those fish” can be patterned and they really can be figured out… at least most of the time. But I can tell you this, those anglers who always seem to know where “those fish” are before everyone else does, have gotten there by being wrong dozens, if not hundreds, of times. It’s a hard-headed approach of guess and check, and finding the joy in doing the work.

The concept of “those fish” and their movements like battalions on a mapped-out reconstruction of some famous battle, is an oversimplification that gives us all the confidence we need to push off the dock or walk the beach into a shrouded watery environment that changes every single day. And while we may affectionately tip our caps to “those fish” each day, whether we succeed or fail. I don’t think I’d like to know how they might refer to us… “Those _______!” I’ll let you fill in the blank.

Connecting the dots between spots and conditions will put you in the best position for consistent surf success.

Most good surf spots are well known these days. Many of these highly-productive locations are highlighted in reports and social media. Yet, these great spots don’t always produce. When you read they are crushing fish in a location one day, it certainly doesn’t mean the fish will still be there days later. That’s because it is often the conditions and not necessarily the spot that makes or breaks these hotspots.

Every productive spot along the Striper Coast has its ideal time or conditions to produce. A lot of factors are at play.  Tide, wind, surf conditions, moon phase, water temperature and the all-important ‘bait situation’, these all play some role in determining the prime time to fish. Experience also plays a big role in knowing the best conditions and matching it to the place you intend to fish.

This spring I was into an incredible run of large stripers in one of my spring hotspots. For three days I fished what I considered ideal conditions with a blistering southwest wind right in my face that drove rough but clean white water ashore. Few surfcasters were in on it at first but by the fourth evening, the place was loaded by an army of surfcasters that found out about it through social media and word of mouth. But, by the fourth night, the wind had shifted to light northwest which was at our backs in this spot, the ocean turned calm as a freshwater pond, and the fishing completely died.  Looking back at my logs, I knew the right conditions almost guaranteed action in this location, while the wrong conditions meant poor fishing.

I keep a log of all my surf fishing adventures. In the log I note tide, wind and surf conditions.  After years of doing this and collecting this data, I can see patterns that develop, and that’s how I know when to fish many different locations.  If you don’t keep a log, make a mental note of when and why some areas produce.

Spring and fall bring migrations of striped bass.  Because of this, there are certain areas that are great spring spots, but don’t fish so well in the fall.  Other areas produce better in the fall. Most experienced fishermen will tell you that summer fishing involves catching resident fish.  Even though the hotspots may change with each season, the same best conditions will deliver the best fishing.

I’m constantly on the lookout for moving water, as that condition brings the best shot at catching stripers. Stripers love to search for food in moving and rough water. Various factors can cause moving water, but your best chances at finding the best water from shore come from wind and tide. Wind often plays a critical role in determining where I plan to fish. A strong onshore wind in your face brings rough water to your feet.  Stripers often ‘turn on’ in wind-driven whitewater that moves. Casting may be limited in a big blow, but fish are often right close to shore playing in the surf. Be aware, though, that some spots may weed up in sustained onshore winds.  Best to hit these spots in the beginning of the blow.  Some places might even be good with a wind at your back. You’ll only find that out with experience.

Tide is another important aspect. Every spot has its ideal tide.  Tide can also move the water and it really shows up in places of flowing water like outflows or breachways. Here, you don’t need wind to push the water out and move it.  Many surfcasters make a living during the dropping tides along outflows where moving water often dumps bait out to stripers who wait at the mouth to ambush their next meal. Mix that outflow current with rough water out front and you’ve got a great combination for success at any time of the year. In addition, realize those moon tides (new and full) will set up an increased exchange of water that always works to the surfcaster’s advantage. Note that inlets and breachways can also work in reverse with incoming water sometimes producing great action in the backwaters.

While we know conditions are a key factor in most good spots, big amounts of bait can override all these conditions. When there is a lot of bait around as we often see in the fall, it can deliver great fishing in calm or rough water, low or high tide, wind or no wind. So, the lesson here is that while most fishermen key on certain spots to fish, they should probably be focusing on the right conditions.  The right conditions can light up any location regardless if it is a known hotspot or not. And, of course, always be on the lookout for bait.

seviinreels.com

SEVIIN may be one of the newer names in the spinning reel market, but the company has wasted little time making an impression among serious anglers. Backed by the same family behind St. Croix Rods, SEVIIN entered the reel game with a clear goal: build dependable, smooth-performing reels without pushing prices too high. After handling several models from the lineup at the last ICAST, it’s obvious these reels were designed by fishermen who understand what anglers actually want on the water.

The spinning lineup covers everything from freshwater finesse fishing to heavy inshore saltwater applications. Models like the GS, GF and GX cater to lighter-duty freshwater and back-bay anglers, while the GW series was built with saltwater conditions in mind. Across the board, the first thing you notice is how refined the reels feel during the retrieve. The rotation is smooth without feeling overly loose, and the drags engage consistently under pressure.

For Northeast fishermen, the saltwater-focused models stand out the most. The GW reels feature sealed components, corrosion-resistant materials and solid frame construction that feel capable of handling long days around sand, spray and boat decks. Whether working bucktails for fluke, swimming plugs for striped bass or jigging sea bass over structure, the reels feel balanced and comfortable in hand. Line management with braided line is also impressive, helping reduce wind knots and uneven lay that can plague cheaper spinning reels.

Another strong point is overall value. SEVIIN reels offer many of the features anglers expect from premium manufacturers—machined aluminum handles, carbon drag systems and rigid body construction—while staying in a price range that remains realistic for everyday fishermen. The reels don’t try to reinvent the wheel with gimmicks. Instead, they focus on reliability, smooth performance and fishability.

Durability will ultimately determine how the brand is viewed long term, especially in the harsh saltwater environment of the Northeast. Still, early impressions are very positive. The reels feel tight, well-built and capable of standing up to heavy seasonal use.

Bluefin tuna season is officially underway as of June 1, 2026. 

In an email blast from NOAA Fisheries on May 27, 2026, bluefin anglers were greeted with some good news (for a change) with the new seasonal retention limit for this year’s angling category fishery.

“NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen,” the alert stated, explaining how these adjusted limits take effect as of Monday, June 1, and extend through December 31, 2026, “unless modified by later action.”

The devil’s always in the details; as we learned in August of 2025, NOAA Fisheries may need to quote, “take additional action later in the year to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.”  This of course is because bluefin tuna and other highly migratory species (HMS) are managed on a pound-for-pound basis based on international quotas.

As noted in the May 2026 edition of The Fisherman Magazine in article called Bluefin Tuna: What’s up with our U.S. Quota? authored by Capt. Mike Pierdinock, the United States has roughly 300 metric tons of recreational bluefin tuna quota allotted to our 2026 season (commercial and recreational), which is an increase over previous years.

As such, the retention limits for 2026 along the Atlantic Coast for HMS Permit holders break down as follows – for private vessels holding HMS Angling permits, it’s two bluefin tuna from 27 to less than 73 inches, of which only one may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna measuring 47 to less than 73 inches.

For Atlantic Coast charter boats with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally, it’s three bluefin tuna measuring 27 to less than 73 inches, of which only one may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna measuring 47 to less than 73 inches.

Finally, for head boats with the HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally, the retention limit as of June 1 is six bluefin tuna measuring 27 to less than 73 inches, of which only one may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna measuring 47 to less than 73 inches.

Bluefin tuna are measured in curved fork length, and retention limits are per vessel per day/trip. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, no more than a single day’s retention limit may be possessed or retained at the end of the trip upon landing. For example, whether a private vessel (fishing under the Angling category retention limit) takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the day/trip retention limit of two bluefin tuna, of which only one may be a large school/small medium, applies and may not be exceeded upon landing.

The changes occurring this week apply to HMS Angling and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally. The daily retention limits are effective for all areas except for the Gulf of America (nee Mexico), where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna at this time.

Keep in mind that an HMS Permit is required (go to hmspermits.noaa.gov) on the vessel targeting highly migratory species like bluefin, yellowfin, longfin, and billfish.   Also, all HMS Permit holders are required to report the catch of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of trip by:

• Accessing the Highly Migratory Species Permit Shop
• Using the Highly Migratory Species Catch Reporting app
• Calling 888-872-8862 (Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

In addition to the required HMS Permit, to help with the scientific efforts to better understand the spawning and migratory patterns of Atlantic bluefin tuna, order your bluefin fin clip kits to support the close kin mark recapture (CKMR) science.  Order your kit now, and make sure to get your bluefin fin clips to Dr. Walt Golet and his research team at the University of Maine.  The scientific research these folks in Maine are undertaking contributes greatly to U.S. efforts overseas during International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meetings.

“The U.S. and other ICCAT contracting parties are required to comply with ICCAT fishery-management measures,” explained Capt. Pierdinock in his May edition write-up, explaining how the United States is required to abide by the decisions of ICCAT consistent with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act.  “Measures adopted by ICCAT are then implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Management Division,” he added.

Bottom line is this – we’re back in recreational bluefin this week along the Atlantic Coast, the season is underway and we have tuna to catch and retain.  But if Atlantic Coast anglers are going to see future increases as opposed to closures (think 2025), it means keeping up with the mandatory reporting requirements, and helping American scientists get a better understanding of bluefin biology and migration.

Catch ‘em up!

Know your essential anchoring skills for safety and fishing efficiency.

Although trolling motors with spot-lock are replacing routine anchoring for many anglers, proper anchoring is still a critical skill. Here are some basics you should know.

All anchoring gear between the anchor and the boat is collectively called the “rode.” The rode includes chain, line, and hardware. The main length of anchor rode is called “line” not “rope.” Although many types of rope exist, the best material for anchor line is nylon. Rope experts recommend 100% braided nylon for this use. It’s strong, flexible, doesn’t rot, resists sun damage, and most importantly, it stretches by 15 to 30%, which cushions your ride at anchor in rough conditions. Nylon also sinks because it can absorb up to 6% of its weight in water, which makes it better for holding bottom than other lines like polypropylene, which float.

Attach your line to at least 6-feet of medium (1/4- or 5/16-inch diameter) galvanized chain. This serves three purposes: first, it prevents line chaff over rough structure. Second, its weight lowers the angle of pull, which sets the anchor better. And third, the slack or belly created from its weight helps offset surges from waves and wakes. Connect the line to the chain using an eye splice around a thimble shackled to the chain (or buy pre-rigged anchor line).

An anchor does not hold your vessel in place by its weight—it requires proper scope. “Scope” is the ratio of the diagonal length of the anchor line to the vertical height from the bottom to the top of the bow. You must also factor the height or amplitude of a rising tide. Without sufficient anchor line angle (scope) the best anchor and chain still won’t hold you in place.

A minimum of 5:1 ratio of length to depth is required for average fishing conditions on a soft bottom. However, for heavy conditions such as a strong wind and current pushing against a vessel with a dead engine, you’ll need a 7:1 or even 10:1 ratio for safety. For maximum effectiveness, all anchors require a low angle of pull, preferably less than 8 degrees. A short scope reduces holding power because the angle of pull is too high, which breaks the anchor out of the bottom.

Bottom composition is important for firm anchoring. Mixtures of mud and clay or sandy mud make excellent holding for most anchors. Firm sand is good, too, if your anchor will bite deep into it with sufficient scope. If possible, avoid loose sand, soft mud, stones, and weed bottoms. Bottom characteristics are denoted on nautical charts.

The two most common anchor types are the Danforth or “fluke” and the plow or “scoop,” with the Danforth the best bet for smaller boats. However, the plow anchor generally performs better overall in grass, mud, and sand.

To set an anchor, lower—do not throw it overboard to the bottom and then back down (reverse) while the line is paid out—making sure you or your assistant doesn’t get a coil wrapped around an arm or foot. When you believe sufficient scope is paid out (pre-marking your anchor line in 25-foot increments helps determine line out), quickly snub the line around a bow cleat. A Danforth can be initially set with a scope as short as 3:1 on an ideal, rocky bottom such as when togging. Anglers who pursue blackfish often carry a second, smaller, cheaper “sacrificial” anchor, in case it becomes irretrievably snagged in the rocks.

After the anchor catches bottom, pay out more rode for the expected conditions, preferably of at least 5:1. Scope must be sufficient for holding, but in a crowded fishing spot you must also consider not encroaching on fellow anglers. Then make your anchor line fast by running it through a bow chock and cinch it to a cleat. To tie to a cleat properly, take a full turn around the base, then one turn around each horn, crossing diagonally over the center of the cleat. Finish with a half hitch around one horn. Never use a clove hitch because it may seize and jam, possibly necessitating cutting the line during an emergency. Last, turn off the idling engine.

If your anchor drags, the best option is to pay out more scope until it sets. When you’re done fishing and ready to weigh (pull up) anchor and move, start your motor first (to be sure it starts), then slowly run up the anchor line while taking in slack. The anchor should break free when the line becomes vertical; if not, continue past it. Be sure the anchor doesn’t strike your propeller or hull during the haul out.