Posted on April 18, 2019 N.Y. outlaws purse seining menhaden New York has outlawed purse seining of menhaden after a previous law was lost due to a sunset provision. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bills  sponsored by Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman Steve Englebright today. Fred Golofaro of The Fisherman magazine told me that purse seiners even moved into Peconic Bay last year to wipe out the important forage fish. Surprisingly, there is a provision in the new law which allows the DEC to authorize the use of purse seines if there is an immanent threat of a bunker fish kill. Such die-offs  occur occasionally, but are unpredictable unless the fish get pushed into a dead end area where they use up all the oxygen. How that could be anticipated in order to quickly harvest those bunkers with purse seines is a mystery. Though the weather wasn’t as nice, Capt. Rob Semkewyc of the Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands said stripers bit much better today for a smaller crowd than was the case yesterday in fine weather. They quickly had a boat limit and were releasing. A 41.6-pounder won the pool for Sam Giacobbe from Bluebell, Pa. Nick Honachefsky of Saltwater Underground was into the big Raritan Bay bass this week while fishing with Mike Brickle. Bass were rolling on top, and they cast Band of Anglers Popping Plugs which had to be used as swimming plugs with just a soft pop to fool those bass. The Big Mohawk from Belmar got out for blackfish today and reported a better percentage of keepers. The pool tog was 7.5 pounds, and there were also some cod. Friday’s forecast is for south winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 30 and 5-8-foot seas. There’s also a chance of showers. Saturday is also looking tough with south winds of 15-20 knots and gusts to 25 — plus 7-10-foot seas. Veterans can look forward to Saturday, May 4 when a Take a Veteran Fishing Day will be held at Lake Julianna in Millstone Township. A BBQ is included, and loaner tackle will be supplied. Vets can register at gkucharewski@jcaa.org. Call 732 785-9278 for details.