The DEP issued the following update on the fluke regulation situation yesterday NEW JERSEY FILES FORMAL APPEAL OF SUMMER FLOUNDER QUOTA REDUCTIONS STATE'S REPRESENTATIVES ARGUE ASMFC DECISION WILL CAUSE ADVERSE IMPACTS TO FISHERY AND INDUSTRY (17 P25) TRENTON - New Jersey representatives to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have filed an appeal requesting the commission reconsider its vote significantly reducing the state's recreational-fishing quota for summer flounder this year, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today. The 34-percent quota reduction ASMFC approved in February will have a devastating impact on the state's fishing industry and tourism economy while paradoxically harming the long-term health of the state's summer flounder stocks, Commissioner Martin said.

A live herring being sent to bottom in 200 feet never got there, and I fought a fish that came to the surface and turned out to be a yellowfin tuna of about 25 pounds. The bottom rod bent over again, and Roy started another fight that lasted about 20 minutes with something very big before the 40-pound mono leader broke just as he was making good progress with the mystery fish.

The first few school stripers have been making their appearances at Island Beach State Park, and probably in other areas as water temperatures slowly improve. Both Grumpy's and Betty Nick's in Seaside Park have been getting a few surf reports on blood worms and salted clams, while other anglers are using worms or small plugs to hook a few bass in the bay.

Unfortunately, they won't be fishing on Sunday due to a prediction of NE winds up to 25 mph. A light NE wind was perfect for fishing.