February might be the shortest month of the year, but for a lot of local anglers hit by the early onset of “cabin fever” it can often be thought of as the very longest month of all.
Buck up fishermen, this Saturday, February 2 is the exact halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, the official half-way point of winter.
No matter what that varmint from Punxsutawney says this weekend about his shadow, the darkest winter days will officially be in the past by Sunday.
In addition to possibly scratching out a blackfish limit or possibly prospecting for safe ice in the weekend ahead, you might also want to consider one of the upcoming fishing flea markets throughout the Garden State.
On Saturday, February 2, join The Fisherman at the Raritan Bay Anglers Club’s annual fisherman’s flea market, which this year will be held at the E Hotel at 1173 King George Road in Edison near Raritan Center Business Park (next to Harold’s NY Deli). The show runs from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and admission is just $5 (12 and under admitted free). For details call 732-381-5336.
For those in South Jersey, don’t miss the 16th Annual Ocean City Fishing Flea Market this Saturday, February 2 at Ocean City Intermediate School at 1901 Bay Avenue in Ocean City, NJ from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for kids age 6-13 and those Ocean City students (under 6 free with paid adult). For information contact Nick Verducci at 609-408-0196 or [email protected].
The following week, you’ve got 4th Annual Sunshine Foundation Fishing Flea Market presented by the Southern Ocean County Chapter of the Sunshine Foundation from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on February 9 at the Little Egg Harbor Community Center, 319 W. Calabreeze Dr. in Little Egg Harbor ($3 admission). Call Tom Siciliano at 732-267-6451 or Frank Muinos at 908-380-8491.
Also on February 9 is the annual Hi-Mar Fishing Flea Market & Seminar Series from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at VFW Post 2179 on 1 Veterans Lane in Port Monmouth. Admission is $5 with kids 12 and under admitted free. Included in your admission are three great fishing seminars, with the Zagorski brothers spotlighting tautog, Fisher Price’s Capt. Derek Bielitz talking inshore tuna, and Anthony “Tony Maja Products” Arcabascio discussing trophy striped bass on the troll. Get more information at www.hi-mar.com.
Then on Sunday, February 10, be sure to check out the 22nd Annual Palmyra Fire Department Fishing Tackle Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Charles Street School at 100 West Charles Street in Palmyra, NJ. Once again, The Fisherman Magazine will have a table with Star Rods dry bags or Sea Striker pliers with your new or renewing subscriptions. Admission to the event is just $4. For information call John at 856-786-0718.
For a full listing of February events geared towards Garden State anglers, pick up the February edition of The Fisherman Magazine for New Jersey and Delaware Bay, in newsstands and local tackle shops on January 31.
The Fisherman’s seminar lineup at the New Jersey Boat Sale and Expo and new Philadelphia Fishing Show in Oaks, PA is posted in our online calendar of events.
