I guess today the local newspaper decided to take the Feds side of the Flounder Debacle, after all they do have “real scientists”. Or maybe they’re just letting us in for the impending let down, even though I would never consider maintaining the 2018 regulations of 5 fish with a minimum of 18 inches a “win” in any form, and that is the very best that we could hope for.
In the past the common thread from those of us in the recreational fishing industry has been to fight for a longer season since: “If the season is open people will fish, and that will give us a chance to sell bait and tackle.”
So as of now they have cut off the best of the back bay season in April and May and have cut out the best of the ocean fishing in September and October.
As the size limit passes 17 inches and 18 inches, the casual anglers have begun to realize that they had been bamboozled and they are being sold a “Flounder Fishing Trip”. That is actually a “boat ride”.
It is true that there are some ex-flounder fishermen who are OK with this and continue to bob around with lines in the water, but even those aren’t bothering to buy the bait and equipment that would be necessary o land a limit of flounder.
A majority, at least in my Absecon / AC area have given up even fooling themselves. If they do go out In the boat, it is directly to the Cove with a cooler full of beer.
Oh, I almost forgot that there are still those who have quietly announced that they will ignore any flounder regulations, take whatever they consider fair and will not give up a flounder dinner when they desire. Maybe I can find a good market for pirate Flags.
To the outsiders, a revolution about something as simple as a flounder may actually seem silly. However here in South Jersey, recreational fishing’s heart is the summer flounder.
As the size limits on flounder have risen, the sales here at Absecon Bay Sportsman Center have diminished every year since 17 inches was the target. I fear that 19 inches will be just too much to bear.
Dave Showell.
