Hello and Welcome to First Catch Fishing

Custom charter Fishing in Waretown, NJ. Fishing the nearby ocean waters of Long Beach Island and Island Beach State Park as well as beautiful Barnegat Bay. My goal is to give you a fantastic day on the water the way you want it. Ocean or bay, I will tailor your trip to your particular charter. Want to get a very early start, no problem, I picked the name “First Catch” for a reason. Early/late departures and/or returns are also ok. I will be glad to work with you for an exciting day on the water.

We are located just a short boat ride from the inlet at Barnegat Light and usually arrive at our first destination within 30 minutes for ocean trips and 15 minutes for bay trips. Depending on the time of year, species likely to be caught include winter flounder, summer flounder (fluke … my specialty), weakfish, striped bass, blue fish, sea bass, croakers, false albacore, and bonito. Be sure to refer to our fish calendar to see what is biting.

*I GUARANTEE you will catch fish.  – Capt. Ed

Each year, thousands of people come to the hatchery to experience this event for themselves. And each year, the Division of Fish and Wildlife strives to make this a bigger event than the year before.

This event is great for people of all ages and there are so many things to see and do throughout the day. This year’s Open House will be March 27 and 28 from 10:00 – 4:00 daily, so plan to join us as we celebrate the beginning of trout season and spring. Bring your families, friends, scout troops, church groups, fishing clubs and anyone else for a fun time in the outdoors.

Kids between the ages of 8 and 16 can try their hand at trout fishing two weeks before the season opens in our Fishing Education Pond. They will be given expert instruction by our staff, Wildlife Conservation Corps volunteers and volunteers from Trout Unlimited. Kids under 8 can try catching one of our trout in the “Kiddie Fishing Tank”. And the best part is – we supply all the equipment!

In the fields along our roadway, we’ll have our beginner archery and shotgun ranges set up. For those experts out there, we’ll also have our 15 target 3-D archery course set up in the woods, offering you many nice shots at some of New Jersey’s huntable wildlife targets in realistic situations. You will need to bring your own archery equipment for this course. Also for advanced shooters, various presentations will be available at our five-stand shoot.

Inside the Natural Resource Education Center, visit with representatives from various conservation groups and learn how they are helping to protect our natural resources. There will also be ongoing fly tying demonstrations and many different wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists will be here with their artwork and equipment for sale. Don’t forget to look inside the Exhibit Hall and learn about the history of Pequest and what we do here. For even more information about the hatchery, don’t forget to take the self-guided tour of the facility, where everything will be in full swing in anticipation of the upcoming trout season.

Just outside the main building, our Fishing Flea Market is sure to offer some good deals on both new and used equipment, lures, gear and so much more! So if you’re looking to upgrade your fishing equipment or if you’re just starting out, you’ll want to check out the vendors here.

There will be food vendors on hand at the event or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy one of our 3 picnic areas nestled in the heart of the Pequest Valley.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located 9 miles west of Hackettstown on Route 46 in scenic Warren County.

This post was submitted by Jessica.

With the Boat out of the water and we are do some standard winter time maintenance… We will be back in the water and ready to fish around mid March.

We will start Our Spring Blackfishing April 1, 2010 and run until the season closes at the end off the month. As always in the Spring we will carry fresh Clams and crabs… Ling and Cod usually mix in with the blackfish early in April (deeper water) and then as the water warms up we usually wind up back inshore by the end off the Month.

Dates in April are starting to book up… but we still have a few good weekend dates available!!! We will also run some scheduled OPEN BOAT TRIPS when not Chartered.

Dont forget to join our newsletter at www.fishmongercharters.com for all the latest info on availability Open boat trips and our schedule

Shoot us an email or give us a buzz to book your trip!!! Never to early to lock up a good date!!!

Thanks,

Fish Monger Charters
Brielle Marine Basin,Brielle NJ
Capt. Jerry (732) 688-0765
Capt. Wayne (732) 688-2933

This post was submitted by Capt Jerry P.

December 16, 2009 – In a historic show of solidarity, recreational and commercial fishermen will gather together on the steps of the Capitol on February 24, 2010 from noon until 3 p.m. in an organized demonstration against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the federal fisheries law which was revised in January of 2007. Coordinating the march under the flag of United We Fish, rally organizers are hoping to see a large show of force in defense of coastal communities.

“The closures keep coming and it’s good to see the collective fishing communities and industries, both recreational and commercial, calling for scientific based Magnuson reform,” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). “We are all in this together.” Donofrio cited recent closures of amberjack, black sea bass and red snapper fisheries as examples of what he calls a “broken” federal fisheries law.

The groups organized through United We Fish are hoping to prove to legislators just how many American anglers and business owners are truly being impacted by the overly restrictive management requirements created by MSA based on non scientific arbitrary deadlines. According to Bob Zales of the Conservation Cooperative of Gulf Fishermen (CCGF), the time-specific deadlines mandated by MSA coupled with flawed data collection methods are forcing anglers off the water. “We fully support real science based management and the conservation of our marine resources while also being able to sustain recreational and commercial fishing activities, providing locally caught seafood, sustaining small family businesses, and supporting our coastal communities.”

This effort is being coordinated by many organizations and individuals including but not limited to the RFA, CCGF, SSFFF, United Boatmen of New York, United Boatmen of New Jersey, New York Sportfishing Federation, Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association and the Fishing Rights Alliance. “Some people have asked ‘why, it’s winter’,” said Donofrio who said he’s gotten the required permits and expects a large crowd in DC on February 24th, regardless of weather. “We can’t let seasons stop the momentum, and if we wait any longer none of us will be fishing. Many members of Congress will be standing shoulder to shoulder with us,” Donofrio said.

Nils Stolpe, a consultant to the commercial fishing industry and columnist for SavingSeafood.org said that over the past three decades since the original Magnuson Act was established, fishermen have been gradually phased out of the fisheries management process, regardless of sector. “The scientists have been put in charge, and as the list of closures and restrictions up above painfully demonstrates, the Act has been turned into a weapon that is now being used against fishermen and fishing communities.”

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) first introduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008 in the 110th Congress to incorporate “limited flexibility” into federal fisheries management. More than 100 fishing groups and industry members from around the country pledged their support for the legislation and the bill’s 19 bipartisan coastal cosponsors, but the bill languished during the volatile economic climate in advance of the presidential elections in November of 2008.

Realizing that fisheries closures would continue without congressional intervention, in March of this year, Rep. Pallone and fellow Representatives John Adler (D-NJ), Henry Brown, Jr. (R-SC), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Barney Frank (D-MA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Frank LoBiondo (D-NJ), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Michael Michaud (D-ME), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and John Tierney (D-MA), reintroduced the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 (HR 1584). Twenty-five total co-sponsors have since pledged support to date including Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Peter King (R-NY), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Jo Bonner (R-AL), John Mica (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Clifford Stearns (R-FL), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL).

Following a letter-writing campaign by the RFA-NY and members of the New York Sportfishing Federation, senior Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York announced his Senate version of the bill (S.1255). Currently, the Senate bill to correct the flaws in MSA has no co-sponsors, which is something United We Fish organizers are hoping will change in February.

“New York’s Senator Schumer is as concerned about his fishing constituents as he is about the fish, just as Congressmen Pallone, Frank, Jones, LoBiondo, Kennedy, Adler and others in the House of Representatives are,” said Stolpe. “Hence they have formed the nucleus of a growing movement in Congress that, in spite of the editorial opinion of the New York Times and the expenditure of many millions of dollars by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is aimed at preserving recreational and commercial fishing, the lifestyles of millions of fishermen, and the tens of thousands of businesses and hundreds of fishing communities that they support,” Stolpe added.

Organizers from within the recreational fishing sector are hoping to get commitment from all user groups and across varied state and regional boundaries. “This is much bigger than any one state issue or individual grievance,” said RFA’s Managing Director Jim Hutchinson, Jr. “Whether it’s our restrictive fluke fishery in New York, the arbitrary closure of state waters for our anglers in California, or the shutdown of red snapper and amberjack down south, our community has been divided by preservationist tactics for too long. It’s time to unite the clans in defense of our coastal heritage and traditions,” Hutchinson said.

“We need to let Congress and NOAA know that we are the collective voice of the recreational fishing community and the collective voice does not accept the current broken management system which wreaks such havoc on all of us and our businesses,” said Donofrio, adding “The goal on February 24th will be to get all of our congressional friends to attend.”

“At this point Senator Schumer and his Congressional colleagues in the House deserve the thanks and the support of every one of us who fishes, whether for fun or profit,” said Stolpe.

The United We Fish rally is set for 2/24/10 at noon at the Capitol. For details as they become available, sign up for the RFA’s email newsletter on the homepage at www.joinrfa.org.

This post was submitted by Capt. Fran Verdi.

Cindy Lou

This post was submitted by CaptRichG.

For those of you who know David Goldman, or have heard about the terribly long fight he has endured to gain custody of his own child and bring him back from Brazil, it looks like there is finally good news. As a father myself, this entire story has been quite emotional to read. Hardly can I even begin to imagine how David has felt. Although several times before it had seen like this day would come, each one would be met with hardship and disappointment as the case evolved into a huge legal mess. Facing political pressure and an outcry of public support it looks like Brazil is about to finally do what is morally right and give this sad and unfortunate story a happy ending.

Click here for the article

If you don’t know about the long journey it has taken a tirelessly determined father to be reunited with his son please read here…

http://bringseanhome.org/

Welcome Home Sean!

THANKYOU.

YOUR CAPT.

RICH NEWALLIS JR.

‘JUST ONE MORE’ SPORTFISHING

www.just1morecharters.com

908-472-2684

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association

Finding the right gift for the fisherman on your Christmas list is not an easy chore. It can be very difficult to pinpoint what fishing gear he or she might really need and want.
The Captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association were given the assignment recently to prepare a Christmas fishing shopping list for all budgets.
Many captains like the idea of a gift certificate. With a gift certificate the recipient makes the final decision on exactly. These certificates can be for fishing trips or local bait and tackle shops.
Captain Adam Nowalsky of the “Karen Ann II” has come up with the novel idea of “gift letters.” He prepares 6-10 gift letters every year that families of regular customers can purchase for the angler in the family to fish on the “Karen Ann II.” He also likes the idea of gift certificates for local bait and tackles shops.
Captain Carl Sheppard of the “Star Fish” also thinks a gift certificate for a fishing trip makes a thoughtful present. The amount of the certificate can be for all or part of the cost of a day on the water. Captain Frank Camarda, who runs the headboat “Miss Beach Haven,” also likes the idea of a gift certificate, especially for the regulars on his boat.
If you have a full bank account, Captain Tim Knorr of the “William Knorr” suggests treating your special angler to a fishing trip to an exotic local like Costa Rica. On a less expensive level, Captain Tim suggests a gift certificate on the “William Knorr” for an overnight tuna trip to one of the local offshore canyons.
Captain Dave Wittenborn of the “Arlene Ann” has some ideas for fishing gifts that will not break the piggy bank. A t-shirt with Guy Harvey artwork adds a touch of class to an angler. Captain Dave also likes the idea of a pair of boga-grips as a gift.
Fran Verdi, Captain of the “Drop Off,” suggests several items anglers would love under the Christmas tree. Captain Fran adds these are items he himself would like to receive. In addition to a gift certificate for a fishing trip on one of the BHCFA boats, he would like a new pair of Ocean Waves sun glasses.
Other items include an Old Harbor Outfitter Offshore Bag, a Trevela jigging rod, some new filet knives, and new foul weather gear. Surf fishermen might like a bucket holder for gear on the beach while a fish cooler always comes in handy. Captain Fran also recommends the idea of a gift certificate to a local bait and tackle shop.
Captain John Koegler of the “Pop’s Pride” views presents as getting someone something they ordinarily would not splurge on. His suggestions include an expensive pair of sun glasses or some high quality filet knives. He recommends carbon steel blades as they hold their edge better than stainless.
Captain John also pushes the idea of a good electric knife sharpener. Finally, he likes the Florida style long sleeved guide shirts which are cool and comfortable regardless of the temperature.
Dave Kreines, Captain of the “Sweet Baby,” spent time preparing a list which includes a subscription to a fishing magazine. Another learning opportunity would be a ticket to the annual “Saltwater Sportsman” Fishing Seminar.
Other ideas from Captain Dave include a surf bag, a set of PDF suspenders, hand-held VHS radio or GPS, a personal EPIRB, or a tool which is a combo pliers, knife, and cutter. Dave’s final suggestion is a gift certificate to your local fish market for those days when you come home empty handed.
Captain John Lewis of the “Insatiable” believes it is important for fishing captains and anglers to be activists in preserving their fishing rights. Both he and Captain Fran Verdi advocate gift memberships in the Recreational Fishing Alliance. He explains that a $35 tax deductible membership fee will help defend recreational fishing for everyone. Captain Fran also touts a gift membership in the Save The Summer Flounder Fund.
Finally, Captain George Finck of “Sparetime Charters” has four very specific ideas. He suggest a gift certificate for a fishing trip, gift cards to local bait and tackle shops, a pair of suspenders that double as a life preserver, and a ditch bag in case of emergency.
To contact any of the captains about their gift suggestions, go to the BHCFA website at www.fishbeachhaven.com

This post was submitted by Jim Hutchinson Sr..

Headed out for a day Blackfishing…little windy and brisk in the am… Got setup and had a few keepers right away… then we waited a few minutes and picked a few more nice size fish and no shorts.

Had a pick and pluck bite pretty much all day… Few here few there but the were all nice quality fish from 3-7lbs so we stuck it out.

Fished 3 different rockpiles inshore… all about the same… They would bite a little then back off… Bite Greens , then whites then back to greens.
Had a nice flurry little after lunch time and again at the end of the day… Picked away until we had a boat limit+

Congrats to Greg Vongas who was the first to his birthday Limit… Reel Ron banged the first few ealry to show the boys they were there… Tony started out hot until the keep his head up incident… Joe was da closer… Bob Bates was under the weather but still managed to make the trip and a limit… Stelly redeemed himself late with his secret spray

By days end we boated around 55 Keeper Blackfish most being nice roasters in the 3- 7lb range …everyone got to take home a legal limit… and we threw back a few keepers for another day.

Ps got to play with my new toy today… making life easier for Wayno and myself Pic attahed

Fun Day, Great Crew. Happy Birthday Greg!!!

Tues 12/8 Blackfish Tough Limits
Had Ryan Scubanut, Bill, Gary, Bruce n Branndon, and Lou aboard today for another day of blackfishing.

Headed out with high hopes to the area we had some nice size fish yesterday… Started out in 60 ft… Not to many bites to start… after a few minutes we caught a few shorts shorts n a couple keepers… Then nothing…

More of the same every on every drop… Get set up get a few bites couple of Keepers bunch of shorts… couldnt get a steady pick going.

Had a little flurry where they came on on one drop… Started to bite a little…few nice boxers then a few more… but then stopped down to a death pick.

Made a lot of drops and shifts today to scratch out a some fish… Few here Few there…Nonetheless the guys worked hard at the rail to put some fish in the cooler.

Congrats to Ryan back in the action with his limit first time blackfishing this year… Bruce was High hook with 10+ Keepers (Only keeping his limit) But Branndon had the bigger fish so it was a draw… Bill had a nice fish early while Gary had a couple nice ones one shrimp late… Lou worked hard and put a few in the box and made Wayne very Happy with the new knot!!!

One of our toughest bites this year but by the end of the day We boated 39 Keeper Blackfish to 6lbs with everyone taking home a limit and a nice bag of fish… The guys worked hard for em!

Mon 12/7 Blackfish Limit to 8lbs
Stelly had the boat chartered today… Greg, Chris Iroc, Bill, Mike, and Bob Bates rounded out the All Star Cast.

Headed out and our first drop was in 60 ft… waited a few minutes and picked a couple shorts then a few nice boxers…. Few more than it died…

Moved on and it was more of the same… Life on every drop… But just a pick… Had to work for em but by the end of the day they added up.

Had a nice flurry of decent fish in the 5- 8lb range on whites around lunch time… Fish were good quality today lots more keepers in the 3-8lb models…

Made a bunch of drops and adjustments today… wind kept changing dying etc.. Every one fished hard and we cont to Pick away until we had a boat limit.

Congrats to Chris Iroc who was high hook with 12 Keeper size fish(Only keeping his legal Limit) including and 8 lber… Bob bates is back on track over 10 keeper Size fish(Only keeping his legal Limit) and he also had an 8lber… Greg caught the ever important $5 dollar challenge fish!

By day end we Boated 48 keeper size fish including three 8lbers…. Every one went home with a Legal limit and a Nice bag o fillets!

Fri 12/4 More Blackfish Limits!!!!
Right back at it after a day of weather yesterday… Had Tiny Tims Charter Today out for a day of blackfishing… Don, Carl, Stelly, Chuck and Mr Bob Bates rounded out da crew.

Left the inlet and seen the swell left over so we opted to fish in a little deeper water a couple miles of the beach.

Started out picking at some keepers n shorts… Moved around and had life every drop. Never really had a great bite but a decent pick with keepers n shorts on every drop… Hit a wreck which gave up few nicer fish… three 7lbers few 5lbers etc. Fish ate both greens and whites about the same today…

So we picked and plucked at all day until we had a boat limit+ threw a few keepers back for another day. Congrats to Bob bates had the hot hand today and was high hook with around 14 keeper size fish (Only keeping his legal Limit) Everyone else fished hard and put some nice ones in the cooler and Don kept everyone fed with da burgers Stellys wearing glasses now?

By days end we caught around 60 Keeper size Blackfish to 7lbs with everyone taking home a legal limit.

Lots of laugh and fun… Great crew… Thanks for putting it together Tim!

This post was submitted by Capt Jerry P.

Headed out with a 5 man Crew lost a soldier to being sick last Min… Joe Jigs Tony Trigss Bob Bates Cool hand Al and Stelly rounded out the all star crew!!!

Headed towards the blackfish grounds but again couldnt pass up the great bass readings… Wasnt long till the Rods were bent over with bass n blues! Lots of big Blues, short bass along with some nice keepers… Managed to box up 6 keeper Striper… Highlight was Tony Triggs beauty 38in 22lber.

Cont on to the Blackfish grounds were we had Them before the Blow… No life on our first drop… Second Drop the first fish was Al 9lb 13oz fish again on his new kevin bogan fish poison sick… One more keeper then we couldnt buy a hit! shifted around No more bites!

Capt Matt from the Norma k Said he had some good Life a little deeper (thanks man)… So we headed back towards home to some rough bottom in deeper water.

Got anchored up and had life and bites right away… Picked away a shorts and boxed some nice keepers! Made another drop and it was he same took a little while to get them started then they would bite a little and give us some good flurries… We finished the 5 man limit here with a good pick till it was over.

So by days end We boxed up 30 Keeper Blackfish a 5 man limit with one @9lbs and two more @7lbs. The guys Jigged up a bunch bass putting 6 in the box to 22lbs and a load of blues!!!

No so bad coming off a blow… Ocean was nicer than we expected to

Thanks again guys!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

This post was submitted by Capt Jerry P.