Gypsy moths chomp northward
Posted June 15, 2008 | Link
Gypsy moths did more damage this year than last, chewing the leaves off some 340,000 acres of trees, the state estimates.
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But it could have been worse, the state Department of Agriculture said in reporting Monday the results of an aerial survey it conducted last month. The number of acres defoliated grew just 6 percent this year, after more than doubling between 2006 and 2007, Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus said. "The rate of increase in the gypsy moth population in the state is showing signs of slowing down," Kuperus said. And, he said, in news welcome to South Jersey if not the state as a whole, the voracious pest appears to be moving north.
Tree damage increased by 40,500 acres in Sussex County, while falling by 34,000 acres in Burlington County and by 6,000 acres in Ocean County.
Snakehead causes great concern and a potential danger to the environment
Posted June 15, 2008 | Link
AGFC biologists are killing every snakehead they find in their research, but they're not optimistic that they can eradicate the population.
"We can't be sure exactly where this population came from and we just don't know how far they've spread," added Oliver. "Their abilities to live in extremely poor water conditions and reproduce quickly make them a difficult target to completely eliminate."
John Odenkirk with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has worked with the species since its discovery in the Potomac River in 2004. He said the fish are harmless to people, contrary to their vicious reputation.
On active duty in Iraq, an enlisted man pursues the fish of a lifetime
Posted June 15, 2008 | Link
Referred to by others as "the old man and the sea," Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Anderson said fishing is a welcomed break from the routine while serving in Iraq. The fish is a Tigris salmon, a type of carp indigenous to Syria, Iraq, and Iran estimated at about 105 pounds. Anderson needed to consult the states for equipment to land the near 6-foot-long fish.
Redneck fishing tournament, no rods allowed
Posted April 25, 2008 | Forum Comment
Folks are up to their forehead in flyin foreign fish. There are two main rules. One, you can't use a fishing pole and two, fish at your own risk.
Landing trophy tarpon puts former President Bush under microscope
Posted April 25, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
After catching and releasing a 135-pound tarpon off Islamorada, Fla., on Saturday, former President George H.W. Bush and his guide received some flak from a handful of conservation minded anglers for a photograph of the trophy catch. A reader sent reporter Byron Stout of The News-Press in Fort Myers the picture, pointing out that the ex-president's fish didn't have a $50 tarpon tag, a rope was through the fish's easily-damaged gills and the fish was out of the water.
Subway cars hit bottom on Atlantic City Reef
Posted April 25, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
44 decommissioned stainless steel subway cars were deployed on the Atlantic City Reef site as part of the Artificial Reef Program. The AC reef is located 8.8 nautical miles offshore of the Absecon Inlet, has a depth range of 50 - 90 feet and is four square miles in size. Also located on the AC reef are Redbird subway cars, concrete, reef balls, telecommunication cables, army tanks, tires and various vessels all of which total just under 65,000 cubic yards of reef material.
Strange invaders in local waters
Posted April 25, 2008 | link
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The mitten crab is showing up along the East Coast and is among a number of invasive species that threaten to push out local wildlife. There is a lot of strange stuff underwater these days. Most of it is still below the Mason-Dixon Line, but the appearance of Chinese mitten crabs in New Jersey is a warning. The crabs are native to East Asia, and, if they grab a foothold in U.S. East Coast waters they could have negative ecological impacts.
Despite volunteer efforts, garbage still lands on N.J.’s beaches
Posted April 25, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
New Jersey's famous beaches have surf, sand and plenty of sun. Last year, they also had toilet seats, scissors, a used pregnancy test, underwear and nearly 40,000 cigarette butts. The annual roster of disgusting detritus picked up off the shoreline by volunteers during several organized sweeps in 2007 was released Thursday by the environmental group Clean Ocean Action.
Funny fishing montage
Posted April 13, 2008 | Forum Comment
A one minute video of some funny fishing clips. Check out the guy who gets his butt kicked by a large mahi mahi.
Biggest fish ever hooked and landed
Posted April 13, 2008 | Forum Comment
What may be the largest fish ever hooked and landed is described in "Fishes and Fishing in Louisiana" by James Gowanloch (1933). Gowanloch tells how Captain Jay Gould captured a manta ray that measured 19 feet, 9 inches from wing-tip to wing-tip. The ray was hooked on a large shark hook on 1,200 feet of 1/2-inch rope, and when it had been subdued and towed back to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the city's 20-ton crane had to be used to lift the fish from the water, after the chain hoists on three smaller cranes were stripped in trying to bring it up. The manta ray's weight was estimated at 5,500 pounds.
Most expensive lure
Posted April 13, 2008 | Link
Were you upset the last time you snagged and lost a $5 or $10 fishing lure? Then you might not want to fish with the Million Dollar Lure from MacDaddy Fishing Lures. This 12-inch trolling lure, designed to catch marlin, is crafted with just over 3 pounds of glimmering gold and platinum, and encrusted with 100 carats of diamonds and rubies (4,753 stones to be exact). Cost? Just as the name says — a cool $1 million.
South Jersey freshwater fishing directory
Posted April 6, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
Not sure where to fish in South Jersey? Check out SJ Quest's freshwater directory. The following list of waters includes those located within the 8 counties that comprise South Jersey. NJ offers more than 400 publicly accessible lakes, ponds and reservoirs. These waters offer a great diversity of fishing opportunities, from abundant populations of panfish to trophy-sized game fish. There are also miles of public streams and rivers.
Shooting of turkeys infuriates neighbors
Posted April 6, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
A state Fish and Wildlife officer did more than ruffle a few feathers on Friday after she opened fire on some "nuisance turkeys" near Hunt and Stone Hill roads by the Freehold Township-Colts Neck boundary.
Witnesses said five of the gobblers were killed, and another one or two managed to run off into the woods near Stone Hill Road bleeding. The Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees Fish and Wildlife, said three birds were killed and the ones that ran off were not hurt.
NJ Trout season officially begins on Saturday, April 5 at 8 a.m.
Posted April 3, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment | General Trout Info
In 2008, trout season officially begins in all waters open to public angling. Each spring approximately 570,000 trout are stocked in the state's public waters. Standard production trout average 10.5 inches but range up to 12 inches.
By opening day, approximately 180,000 trout will have been stocked in the state's freshwater streams, lakes, ponds and impoundments.
Catfishing the hard way
Posted April 3, 2008 | Forum Comment
The redneck madness continues, "HOG"N " Catfish hardcore style! Two 45lb fish caught within 5 minutes while using only their arms as bait. Pretty impressive or real dumb. You be the judge.
Bald eagles face many challenges in
Garden State
Posted April 3, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
Numbers for 2008 are still coming in, but as of this writing, five chicks have already been born to 54 active bald eagle pairs. By the time you read this, more will likely have arrived, including an eagerly-awaited chick from a nest in New Jersey Conservation Foundation's Franklin Parker Preserve in the Pine Barrens.
There is bad news still. In addition to natural hazards like storms that blow nests out of trees, New Jersey's bald eagles continue to be threatened by people.
DEP list: Parvin State Park could close this summer
Posted April 2, 2008 | Link | Forum Comment
The state Department of Environmental Protection disclosed a list of closings, service reductions and layoffs that would result in Parvin and many other state parks being closed to the public.
Parvin is a popular stop not only for local residents, but tourists from farther afield.
It has a lake, extensive trail system, large forested area, fishing opportunities and a beach. It also has a number of cabins that are rented out to vacationers.
Monster Catfish caught off A.C. beach!
Posted April 1, 2008 | Forum Comment
Today, we are all April Fools! With March gone and April finally upon us, we can official look forward to green grass, baseball & early Spring fishing. It wont be long until our gear is dusted off from its long hibernation and we are out on the water. Good luck to everyone this Spring and don't forget to tell a friend about SJ Quest.
NOAA to Close NJ Tautog Fishery
Posted March 31, 2008 | link | Forum Comment
NOAA’s Fisheries Service found that the State of New Jersey has failed to implement measures necessary to fulfill its responsibilities under the tautog interstate fishery management plan which are crucial for conservation of the salt water fish. As a result, NOAA will close New Jersey’s commercial and recreational fishery for tautog on April 1.
Tautog is a popular recreational species whose stock is overfished. Landings data indicate that New Jersey’s harvest is significant compared with that of other states, and that its recreational landings more than tripled in 2006. Accordingly, its failure to implement management measures will undermine the interstate conservation plan for the species.
Corzine signs horseshoe crab legislation
Posted March 30, 2008 | link | Forum Comment
On Tuesday, March 25, Governor Jon Corzine signed legislation establishing a moratorium on harvesting horseshoe crabs in New Jersey. The new law protects the red knot from extinction by banning the harvest of horseshoe crabs which lay eggs that are consumed by the red knot on its annual migration to the Canadian Arctic.
Build your own “Redneck” bass boat
Posted March 19, 2008 | Forum Comment
I thought this was too funny. No, he's not a relative and if he's one of yours....sorry.
Redneck engineering at it's finest. Instruction manual not included. Either is a parts list but I'm sure you could build this sea worthy vessel from materials found on the side of the Atlantic City Expressway. All it needs is a bucket attached under the seat, wait that's where the battery for the trolling motor goes. Aint she perty!
Bass Pro Shop to open in South Jersey?
Posted by Adam Monacelli | March 14, 2008 | Forum Comment
For fisherman in America, visiting a Bass Pro Shops is on par with a
religious experience. In South Jersey, you're lone alternative was to gas up the car and make the trek to Harrisburg. And still, it's worth it.
Rejoice anglers and outdoorsman, because Bellmawr Mayor Frank Filipek has been saying publicly that the superstore is planning to build on a former landfill along Big Timber Creek. That site is currently being remediated.
Although the Bass Pro Shops doesn't list Bellmawr as an upcoming
location on their web site and their public relations department won't
confirm anything, Filipek can't be all wrong.
It makes sense--they don't have a store in the Garden State yet and
this one would dominate the landscape on the Route 42 North/South freeway. It sits in one of the busiest intersections in the state, where Routes 42 and 295 meets and it even has its own exit. It's minutes from Philadelphia, a half-mile from a New Jersey Turnpike interchange, and on a good day, 45 minutes from Atlantic City. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Fish on.