Jersey Shore Fishing: Ocean Explorer reports lively backfishing

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported blackfish were chewing today, with high hooks catching a limit plus lots of shorts, while most bagged two or three. That fishing should hold up with continuing west winds.

The Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands was going to resume striper fishing on Saturday, but Capt. Rob Semkewyc didn't like the velocity of the west wind forecast, and will hold off until Sunday.

The Gambler from Point Pleasant will be shaping up every morning for stripers when weather conditions permit

Bob Correll of Bay Head fished his local beach his evening, but nothing was caught by the few anglers braving the snow. All I got was a couple of light taps at Spring Lake while fishing through the snow.

There's some good news on the federal front as reported by Keep America Fishing:

On April 6, 2017, the Modern Fish Act was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Garret Graves (R-La.), Gene Green (D-Tex.), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.).  Officially known as the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017, H.R. 2023 addresses many of the most critical challenges facing saltwater recreational anglers in federal waters. 

UPDATE - On December 13, 2017, the Modern Fish Act was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee as part of H.R. 200.

A companion bill, S. 1520, was introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 11, by Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Kennedy (R-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

Rather than continuing to manage recreational fishing in the same way as commercial fishing - much like the proverbial square peg and the round hole - the new bill is a comprehensive package designed to provide federal managers with the tools and data they need to effectively manage America's 11 million saltwater anglers.

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