On the recent ‘Shep on Fishing’ radio show (Sat 7a, WOND 1400am), topics included flounder, seabass, half-day party boats, follow the money, Boardwalk, and the infamous CRDA. A common theme during the show: Who wants to kill recreational fishing in South Jersey? Because they way rules are being decided, this key economic driver, is on the verge of disappearing.
Here are some thoughts after listening to the JAN 13 Shep on Fishing show:
Fishing makes up a large part of the South Jersey’s tourism industry. Recreational fishing plays a substantial role in Real Estate values and local business success too. Towns that place too much focus on building mcMansions on every parcel of land, risk scaring away families that require a more well-rounded, summer vacation destination. Just ask Brigantine about that one. Retail and attraction-based business in Brigantine, was substantially hurt by over development of residential property. People don’t want to live where ‘there’s nothing to do.’
Local fishing boat captains say they’re killing too many breeders. These are the female fluke which tend to be 18 inches+. We catch 200… and throw back 197 shorts that miss by less than half an inch. Many of those throw-backs die.
Imagine if New Jersey had the authority to encourage you to take home a 17 inch flounder you pulled up from Absecon Inlet? Those making the rules, are not following common sense. We’re being forced to follow rules developed with faulty research.
Bucktail Willie is convinced they’re trying to destroy the recreational fishery.
Rocco from Atlantic City says, ‘beware the CRDA.’ This state agency, funded by the Casinos, control the Tourism District. That means they control access to fishing spots. You may wanna bark up a different tree. City Council can’t help ya. The CRDA should be your focus.
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AC was once a hotbed of aquatic entertainment. From the diving bell to the giant fishnet hauls, AC took full advantage of it’s seaside location.
Soon after gaming was legalized in 1977, Atlantic City slowly started to repel families. Too much marketing focus on casinos. AC, the CRDA and the casinos themselves, ignored the large swaths of Boardwalk right outside their doors. Adjacent, non-casino business slowly died off. Too many Boardwalk retail locations still sit empty.
Mountainous, man-made dunes block ocean views that tourists love. Views that spawned a more advanced use of this concept called a ‘boardwalk.’ Scenic vistas increased pedestrian traffic. This in turn, boosted success rate of Boardwalk vendors. Higher rents, more taxes. But when casinos took over the Boardwalk, that all changed.
Why hide AC’s most important USP? Unique Sales Proposition = beach & water. Stuff we have…that they don’t. Stuff that makes AC special. That’s how AC can thrive in a world of ubiquitous gambling. Hiding the beach & ocean behind massive dunes is good for casinos, but bad for Atlantic City taxpayers.
With casinos now almost everywhere, looks like Atlantic City blew it’s 30+ year head start. Is the iconic Boardwalk ultra vibrant and busy? Well. It is sorta getting better.
What held the Boardwalk back for so long? Ummmmm….. that would be the Casinos. They couldn’t let poker players venture out into the world of non-casino Atlantic City. Boardwalkers are not gambling. That’s why the CRDA’s talk of diversification is just that. Talk… with very little action.
Jersey shore party boats numbers have plummeted over the years.
A high of 30 party boats once gave fishers a wide choice of vessels from Barnegat to Cape May. Today, that number has been cut in half, to about 15.
· Cape May and Wildwood both have 3
· Barnegat Light and Sea Isle both have 2
· Avalon, Ocean City, Margate, Atlantic City and Brigantine all have 1
Bucktail Willie is convinced they’re trying to destroy the recreational fishery.
Miss Ocean City
From Wildwood, then moving to Ocean City in 1999. The Capt Robbins was started in 1949 by Capt. Reds Robbins and than his son, Neil Robbins, until he retired in 2011, a second generation boat.
Ocean City New Jersey Fishing & Cruising Fleet
228 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ
Private Charters
(609) 391-6446
capthartley@gmail.com