NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Helping Each Other Out => Topic started by: gregman1069 on July 27, 2007, 08:30:56 PM
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I'm going on vacation to Wildwood next week and would like to my boy out on a boat fishing. Dosen't seem like many of you are that far down, but I thought you might be able to help. Thanx in advance!
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Send a Pm to Capt Craig.. he's our southern goto Man ;D
Yes. we really need help down there. I may have to take a road trip..
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I was down there on vacation mid-june and I must have been getting on my wife's nerves because she tracked down some of the local party boats and sent me out looking for fluke one morning.
The boat I went out on was the Royal Flush (google for Royal Flush Fishing and you'll find their website). They do 3 4 hour trips a day, and if I remember correctly, they give you a discount if you go out on the morning trip and stay for the afternoon or night trip.
They sail at 4pm, 1pm and run night trips at 7pm. They're right at the base of the Rio Grand Ave bridge, which is one of the main routes into wildwood so it's easy to find.
I didn't bag any Fluke, but I seemed to find every small shark and skate between cape may point and wildwood... fun fighting them even if it didn't put a fillet or two on the dinner table. I saw ads for a few other party boats, that's the one that happened to be closest to the hotel. Most of the small hotels in the main part of town will have brochures and such, and if you ask nice, the receptionist at the convention center will probably help you find just about anything that exists in the town.
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Right around mid June I think EVERYBODY (but me) was catching skates and sharks. Thanks for the tip. I think the boy will be happy to catch anything and he would be happier with a shark - he's 9!
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I had a friend's grandson on my boat a few weeks back. I purposely went to a spot where I knew we would catch dog shark just to put him into one. He's 10 and thought that was the greatest thing in the world, catching a shark! It does not take much to make a kid happy, and that definately put a smile on my face too. t^
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There are a lot of fishing choices close to Wildwood. You can rent your own boat and fish/crab in the backwaters or you can jump on one of the many party or charter boats.
As mentioned the Royal Flush is a good boat and runs three 4-hour trips a day leaving at 8 AM, 1 PM and at 7 PM.
If you take a 5 to 10-minute ride to the south the Garden State Parkway will dump you right into the marina district in Cape May. There are lots of boats sailing everyday, but I've had some great experiences on the Miss Chris and the Porgy IV. Both of these boats are 8-hour trips and they are usually sailing for summer flounder. I've never come home without at least a few fish on those boats.
To the north you have the Miss Avalon and Captain Robbins. The Miss Avalon sails on two 4-hour trips daily at 8 AM and again at 1 PM. You can expect to fish right out front and catch croakers, fluke, bluefish, or weakfish.
The Sea Isle City-based Captain Robbins specializes in sea bass and Captain Mike usually makes a good run out to the deep-water wrecks. Daily 8-hour trips leave at 8 AM.
You can catch sharks and skate on all the boats. ;D
I have been on most of the local boats and I am in touch with many of them on a weekly basis. I'm sure you guys will have a great time with whatever you decide.
Good luck!
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Try the Porgy IV. By far the newest Party boat down there when I last loked into it a year ago (the whole south jersey fleet is SLOOOOW and old).
The Porgy IV is the Old Gambler. gets to grounds much faster then the others.
That being said, Fishinfool and I decided to hit Nobones bait and tackle and rent a 16 Carolina Skiff CC for the day (or half the day) and putted around (9hp motor) in the backwaters area.
I managed a couple dozen croaker and a keeper fluke -all on gulp shrimp Pops Soul :)(and was told I did better then most that day)
Fishinfool just chilled and got some sun.
This is what led her to decide she wouldn't mind us getting out own boat TT^
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Theres the Starlight fleet on Park Ave in Wildwood Crest as well. Check inthe lobby of the hotel your staying at for the boat advertisements. Most, if not all, have discount coupons inthem to save you a few bucks.
If you decide on the Porgy IV in Cape May, be sure to hit Lucky Bones Grill across the street after your trip. Killer gourmet pizza and the best Guinness on tap I've ever had TT^
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I have to admit that the dog sharks I got into it with when I was down in Wildwood were a lot of fun to fight, even as an adult ;D
I had a friend's grandson on my boat a few weeks back. I purposely went to a spot where I knew we would catch dog shark just to put him into one. He's 10 and thought that was the greatest thing in the world, catching a shark! It does not take much to make a kid happy, and that definately put a smile on my face too. t^
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Try the Porgy IV. By far the newest Party boat down there when I last loked into it a year ago (the whole south jersey fleet is SLOOOOW and old).
The Porgy IV is the Old Gambler. gets to grounds much faster then the others.
That being said, Fishinfool and I decided to hit Nobones bait and tackle and rent a 16 Carolina Skiff CC for the day (or half the day) and putted around (9hp motor) in the backwaters area.
I managed a couple dozen croaker and a keeper fluke -all on gulp shrimp Pops Soul :)(and was told I did better then most that day)
Fishinfool just chilled and got some sun.
This is what led her to decide she wouldn't mind us getting out own boat TT^
Say I rent a boat, would I have to have a license? I want to take the safety course so I could use my boss's Boston Whaler, but I haven't had time yet.
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That is a good ??? and I do not know the answer.
I know if it were me, what I would do for 1 day :)
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Hi Gregman1069,
Anyone born in 1959 or later must complete a boater's safety course (or test out) and must possess a NJ Boating Safety Certificate to operate a boat or personal watercraft in NJ as of June 1, 2007.
For completeness, folks born in 1949 or later must possess a certificate by June 1, 2008 and ALL PERSONS must complete a boating safety course (or test out) and possess a certificate by June 1, 2009.
It was fazed in by your date of birth.
Basically, you cannot rent a boat powerboat or personal watercraft without conforming to the criteria.
Good luck,
Capt. Ed
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I'm wondering is the rental place has a legal responsibility to check that?
Could it be, Sure you can rent a boat. but it's your responsibility to have the Cert?
This would be one I bet Sealife could answer.
I was in a position a few weeks ago watching a boat get rented and all I heard was..
"All I need is the Dl of the person operating the boat"
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Hi Rod,
They will not rent to you a powerboat or personal watercraft without it.
They do have a legal and insurance responsibilty.
It is much like a rental car company not being able to rent a car to you unless you have a driver's license.
Now if someone has fradulent paperwork, that is a different story.
Ed
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Makes sense. But I'll bet a lot of them over look it in Lu of losing a client.
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Thanks for the input on this one. Guess I'll just look into getting the cert. Is this something that has to be renewed every year or is it a once and done thing? Does it carry over from state to state (ie NJ and PA)?
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The cert course I took gave me a cert good in all 50 states and most of Europe I believe.
Really was rediciulously easy.
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I've heard it's all common sense type stuff. Kids would think ol dad was pretty cool runnin em around in a boat. Still I don't have time before next week but I guess I'll get it soon.
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Thanks for the input on this one. Guess I'll just look into getting the cert. Is this something that has to be renewed every year or is it a once and done thing? Does it carry over from state to state (ie NJ and PA)?
As of now, it's one and done. I don't know if other state accept NJ cert or not.
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the course is just another way to gain revenue!!!..
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Hi All,
I have a couple of questions:
1) I see the oldest cut off year is 1949 if I was born in 1947 am I exempt from having to have a Cert?
2)I have mine from long ago but have no clue where it is. My dad and I went in the mid 60's and took classes and passed. I don't remember if it was the Power Squadron or the CG Aux. I guess my question would they still have the records from way back then?
Happy Catching
Paul
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Paul, you are exempt until I believe 2009. Then, everyone will need the certificate.
I don't know if the State Police certified the Power Squadron or CG Aux courses from the 60's. Perhaps Sealife can shed some light on that. He is an instructor and from what I hear, a very good one.
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TT^
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Many boat liveries are caught in the middle of this. I know some have cut the size of the outboard back to under 10 HP to get around it. I do not know about renting a larger boat other than you need a boat safety certificate (BSC). A borrowed boat still needs the operator to have a BSC. The regulations are very specific about personal watercraft but I have found them harder to interpret for boats. The best bet is to get a BSC and not have to worry about it.
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I guess that's what I'll do then.