2020 North Carolina Ocean Striped Bass Regulations

Striped Bass

A slot limit for recreationally-caught striped bass will go into effect January 1, 2020 in North Carolina ocean waters.

Fishermen will be allowed to possess one striped bass per person per day that is at least 28 inches and less than 35 inches total length (fishermen may not keep a 35-inch fish). For the specific regulation, see Proclamation FF-54-2019.

Until the slot limit takes effect on January 1, the minimum size limit for ocean striped bass remains 28 inches total length with a one fish possession limit.

The slot limit is required by the recently adopted Addendum VI to Amendment 6 to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan.

The new limit is designed to end overfishing and bring fishing mortality to the target level in 2020 by reducing total coastwide striped bass removals by 18%.

The latest Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) coastwide stock assessment determined that ocean migratory Atlantic striped bass are overfished and overfishing is occurring.

Amendment 6 also requires a coastwide commercial quota reduction of 18%.

For additional information, see the ASMFC news release.

The recreational regulations for striped bass in internal coastal waters of North Carolina remains unchanged.

For more information, visit the Division of Marine Fisheries website.

source: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Marine Fisheries

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Saltwater Fishing Facts

Mid Atlantic Striped Bass EEZ Enforcement

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

2017 New Jersey Governors Surf Fishing Tournament

New Jersey Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Island Beach State Park
Seaside Park, NJ

In 2017, the annual New Jersey Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament tournament will be held on Sunday, May 21 at Island Beach State Park.

Known for its pristine sandy beaches, Island Beach State Park is one of New Jersey's most popular surf fishing areas.

A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament. Overall length determines the winner. All fish must meet minimum length tournament requirements.

The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the "Governor's Award," and has his/her name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently displayed at the park.

Fishing equipment is awarded to winners who catch the largest fish in each species category. Winners from the early entry drawing and the tournament must be present during the afternoon awards ceremony to claim their prizes or they will be forfeited.

Anglers planning to participate in the tournament should always register early. Tournament anglers will also need to complete the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry prior to the event.

For more information, visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/saltwater.htm or call 609-748-4347.

source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Fisherman’s Walkway at Island Beach State Park

In New Jersey, a popular and functional surf fishing access point at Island Beach State Park has been fully restored and is now reopened, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The structure, known as Fisherman’s Walkway, was completely destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.

Approximately 1,000 feet of wooden walkway, measuring about eight feet in width, has been constructed starting from Parking Area 7, providing fishing access for persons with disabilities and other anglers on foot who prefer more mobility in transporting their fishing equipment from the parking area to the ocean.

Work on the walkway began in late September and was completed in late December by GCS Contractors Corp. The walkway officially reopened this month after inspection. The $203,000 project was funded by Corporate Business Tax dollars. The DEP is seeking reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Fisherman’s Walkway has been a popular destination for people with disabilities, anglers, birdwatchers and other users since it was first constructed in 1995 with funds through the Americans With Disabilities Act. Its location within the park is south of lifeguarded swimming areas and north of mobile sport fishing access roads.

Since Superstorm Sandy hit in October, 2012, Island Beach State Park has seen the repair or restoration of the boardwalks and the lifeguard station at Ocean Bathing Area 1, the gatehouse and maintenance buildings within the park. A major repair of the Sandy-damaged north jetty at Barnegat Inlet, at the southern tip of the park, was completed in October.

For more information, visit www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html.

source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Island Beach State Park Shoreline Flounder Fishing

Shore-Based Enhanced Fishing Opportunity Program for Summer Flounder at Island Beach State Park Opens Saturday, June 14
June 13, 2014

On Thursday, June 12, 2014, NJ Department of Environmental Protection (Department) Commissioner Bob Martin signed a Notice of Administrative Change adjusting the size and possession limits for summer flounder (a.k.a "fluke") for anglers fishing from shore at Island Beach State Park (IBSP) during the 2014 open season.

The Shore Based Enhanced Fishing Opportunity Program (Program) for summer flounder at IBSP will begin Saturday, June 14, 2014. Summer flounder is New Jersey's most popular recreational saltwater species. Last year, New Jersey anglers caught an estimated 7.6 million summer flounder and kept 1.2 million of those fish.

Anglers participating in the IBSP Program may retain 2 fish greater than or equal to 16 inches (total length) only at IBSP during the current 2014 New Jersey summer flounder fishing season, which opened on May 23 and remains open until September 27. The Program will be available to "shore-based" anglers only, defined as fishing from a pier, jetty, beach, bank, or marsh. Anglers participating in this Program may NOT fish from a boat, kayak, canoe, personal water craft, or arrive to the shore by means of water craft.

In addition to monitoring the recreational summer flounder harvest at IBSP, the Department will be collecting data on other important recreational species as well by conducting a creel survey at the numerous beach access sites on IBSP. The interviewers will record number of anglers, number of hours fished, number of fish caught and take measurements of fish kept. This information will be utilized to determine the feasibility of the Program as well as provide important data for coastwide management of the species.

For additional information, anglers can contact the Department's Marine Fisheries Administration at 609-748-2020.

source: NJ DEP

2014 NJ Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that this year's Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament will be moving from October to May. In 2014 the tournament will be held on Sunday, May 18, at Island Beach State Park.

Anglers can feel great about the use of their registration fees, as all funds raised are used for very worthwhile purposes. These include the purchase of specialized wheelchairs that provide the disabled and elderly beach access, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment, marine education and restoration efforts, and surf fishing access.

The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the "Governor's Award" and has his/her name engraved on the Governor's Cup which is permanently displayed at the park. Fishing equipment is awarded to winners who catch the largest fish in a variety of species and age group categories.

Anglers planning to participate in the tournament should register early. Early registrants will save $5 on adult registration, and will be eligible to enter the early entry raffle for a surf rocket, www.surfrocketfishing.com. The early entry incentive ends April 21, 2014. After this date, anglers will be required to register at the tournament.

The pre-registration fee for the tournament is $15 for ages 18 and up and the registration fee on tournament day is $20. The registration fee for ages 13-17 is $5 and registration is free for ages 12 and under.

NOTE: Tournament anglers may be asked to verify their compliance with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. If not already registered for 2014 please do so before hitting the beach the day of the tournament. Registration is quick, easy and free. Anglers simply need to log on to www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/ and follow the instructions on the page.

For more information, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/gsft.htm.

source: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife

NJ Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament

The 2013 New Jersey Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament will be held on Sunday, October 6. The annual tournament is held on the first Sunday in October at Island Beach State Park.

A variety of species are eligible for entry in the tournament each year. Overall length determines the winner. All fish must meet minimum length tournament requirements.,

The individual who catches the overall largest fish wins the "Governor's Award," and has his/her name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently displayed at the park. Fishing equipment is awarded to winners who catch the largest fish in each species category.

The tournament is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

For more information, visit the New Jersey DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife website at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/

source: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware State Record Striped Bass

photo credit: DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife

A new Delaware state record has been set for striped bass (rockfish). Ben Smith of Bryn Mar, Pa., was fishing in the surf at Delaware Seashore State Park on December 8th when he reeled in the record-setting striped bass. The 52 pound fish measured 51 inches long with a 30 inch girth.

The new state record fish was caught with a circle hook and braided line. Smith’s catch was measured and weighed using a certified scale at Old Inlet Bait & Tackle in Rehoboth Beach and then verified by Sr. Cpl. Douglas Messeck of DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section. The previous state record of 51 pounds, 8 ounces had stood since 1978.

The Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament is an annual program sponsored by the Division of Fish and Wildlife to promote recreational fishing opportunities in the state and recognize anglers for outstanding catches. For more information about the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, rules and a list of state record holders, anglers can obtain the 2012 Delaware Fishing Guide, call the Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914, or the DNREC website.

source: DNREC

2012 NJ Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament

The 21st Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament was held on Sunday October 7 at Island Beach State Park. At the event over 500 anglers caught more than 130 fish.

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin were on site to greet tournament participants and to take part in the awards ceremony.

Bill Sheppard of Seaside Park, NJ, took the grand prize and NJ Governor's Cup by catching a 20 3/8" bluefish. Mr. Sheppard received two rod-and-reel combinations, a $100 gift card to Orvis (courtesy of World Fishing Network), a plaque, and will have his name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently on display at Island Beach State Park.

In addition to the grand prize, eighteen anglers received rod and reel combinations for their prize-winning fish in the various species categories. The anglers who caught the largest blackfish and bluefish also received a $50 gift certificate to Orvis, also courtesy of the World Fishing Network.

Everyone who registered for the tournament was entered into a raffle drawing, which was held prior to the awards ceremony, and pre-registrant entrants were entered into a raffle to win a Surf Rocket, which is a specially designed compressed air casting cannon.

Overall fish length determined the grand prize winner, as well as place winners for each of the species categories. There were categories for children, teen and adult anglers, including sub-categories for male and female anglers.

The event was sponsored by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

More than $130,000 has been raised since the inception of the tournament for conservation and education projects and improved beach access.

source: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife

New Jersey State Record Hickory Shad

Hickory Shad

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife recently certified a hickory shad caught in late 2011 as a new state record.

Robert Macejka of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey reeled in the new state record hickory shad while surf fishing on November 20, 2011.

The fish weighed in at 2 pounds 13 ounces eclipsing the previous state record, caught by Don Cordts in 2010, by 13 ounces.

For more information about the New Jersey State Record Fish Program visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com.