Fishing in the spring of 2023 is proving active in the waters surrounding Long Beach Island. The striped bass bite has remained strong with a few bluefish popping in and out. The summer flounder season arrived on schedule on May 2, and anglers are finding black drum and some weakfish to round out the catch.

Despite the varied action to be found in both bay waters and from shore, the hot topic being tossed around is an impending drastic reduction in the legal keeper size for striped bass. 

The current regulations for stripers in New Jersey call for a daily limit per angler of one fish measuring 28-inches to less than 38-inches. In addition, New Jersey has a bonus tag system whereby anglers can apply for a tag that permits them to keep one bass between 24-inches to under 28-inches.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council at a meeting on May 2, voted in an “emergency” regulation to reduce the keeper size down to a range of 28-inches to a maximum size of under 31-inches.

Included in the decision was the stipulation that the coastal states affected must pass legislation reflecting this reduction by July 2. As an “emergency” decree, it will be in effect for six months. The vote tally by ASMFC was 15-1 in favor of the motion with the only negative vote coming from a New Jersey representative.

States which do not follow the directive could be declared “out of compliance” and all striped bass fishing in that state closed.

Jim Hutchinson Jr., editor of “The Fisherman” magazine, was quoted as saying that he was surprised by the sudden decision. “There was no real public comment, and it was sudden and unexpected. I would like to see the supporting data.”

According to Hutchinson, he was told the decision was made to protect the 2015-year class of fish.

The New Jersey bonus tag program will not be affected by the recent decision. The New Jersey Fisheries Council has a meeting scheduled for May 11 where it is expected to discuss a possible course of action. 

Currently, however, the local stripers have not heard of the political maneuvering and are showing up for surf anglers in decent number. These fish vary in size from under 20-inches to fish stretching into the 40’s.

Most of these bass are falling for fresh natural baits of both bunker and clam.

A look at the current standing of the LBI Spring Derby show that of the 27 fish currently weighed in, 16 fell for a clam dinner, 8 for bunker, 1 for bloodworm, and 2 for a lure. Four of those fish were bluefish, all hooked on bunker.

Shawn Gallen has the top spot for bluefish with a 12-pound chopper. Jonathon Kelly has top spot in the striper category with a fish weighing 21.80-pounds. Patrick (PJ) Shapiro is in second and James Worobetz third.

PJ is the current talk of the Derby with his performance as he is just 8-years old. He is currently outperforming his dad, Matt. In addition to his second-place fish, PJ also weighed in a bass weighing 18.62-pounds on May 8.

The Spring Derby will run until June 20, and registration can be accomplished at any of the official weigh-in stations. They are Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom, Surf City Bait and Tackle, and Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven.

Meanwhile in the bay waters, the fluke action has been strong right from when the season opened. Despite water temperatures hovering just under 60-degrees, and many days with wind against the tide, few anglers are complaining about the flatfish action.

Initial reports indicate the top action is closer to the inlets. The fish will be moving further into the bays as the water temperatures climb. Anglers are finding success with both live minnow baits and assorted Gulp offerings.

As mentioned earlier, black drum are in the mix, with many being caught on clam baits intended for   striped bass.