Anglers receive summonses for striped bass violations

With the striped bass season heating up in New Jersey, state authorities are patrolling fishing spots and enforcing catch and size limits.

New Jersey recreational anglers are permitted to keep one striped bass at 28 inches to less than 43 inches and one at 43 inches or greater. With a bonus permit, anglers can keep one fish 24 inches to less than 28 inches until December 31, 2018.

But some anglers have been caught running afoul of the regulations.

Acting on a tip, New Jersey conservation officers recently caught three anglers harvesting large numbers of undersized striped bass during the early morning hours along railroad tracks spanning the Manasquan River in Brielle.

When two of the anglers packed up their gear and walked back to their vehicle, they were met by the officers for a catch inspection. That’s when they were found with 31 undersized striped bass, according to the New Jersey Conservation Officers Association.

The third angler, who remained along the railroad tracks, was caught with 15 undersized striped bass.

All were issued court-mandatory summonses for possession of undersized and over-limit striped bass, according to the association. Their names were not released.

Striped bass, named for the black stripes that extend along their bodies, are “moderately fatty” with a “rich flavor and a large, firm flake,” according to Bon Appétit magazine.