Amazing bird fishing with bread as bait.

This is one smart bird! Fast too!









Till next time....

Tight lines!

Johnny

US House of Representatives Releases Modern Fish Act

Let me start by saying I am kind of ashamed that I don't know what is included in this bill. Use your own judgment, and comment below if you feel inclined.

First-Ever Sportfishing-Focused Legislation to Pass Congress Heads to President's Desk

Washington, D.C. - December 19, 2018 - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.1520, the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). Today's vote was the final step toward sending the landmark legislation to the President's desk after it passed the Senate on December 17.

"The Modern Fish Act is the most significant update to America's saltwater fishing regulations in more than 40 years and the recreational fishing community couldn't be more excited," said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops. "On behalf of America's 11 million saltwater anglers, we're grateful to Speaker Ryan, the 115th Congress and all the elected leaders who came together to support and enhance recreational fishing across America."

The priorities of the recreational fishing and boating community were identified and presented to federal policy makers in 2014 by the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management in a report "A Vision for Managing America's Saltwater Recreational Fisheries." The Commission was known as the Morris-Deal Commission, named for co-chairs Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, and Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group. Four years later, many of the recommendations of the Morris-Deal Commission are found in the Modern Fish Act.

"America's anglers and members of the recreational fishing and boating industry are among the most responsible stewards of our marine resources because healthy fisheries and the future of recreational fishing go hand-in-hand," said Scott Deal, president of Maverick Boat Group. "A huge thank you to our congressional leaders who answered the call of the recreational fishing community to improve the way our fisheries are managed."

America's 11 million saltwater anglers have a $63 billion economic impact annually and generate 440,000 jobs, including thousands of manufacturing and supply jobs in non-coastal states. Furthermore, $1.3 billion is contributed annually by anglers and boaters through excise taxes and licensing fees, most of which goes toward conservation, boating safety and infrastructure, and habitat restoration.

"It is a historic day for America's 11 million saltwater anglers thanks Senator Roger Wicker, Congressman Garret Graves and our many champions in Congress who fought until the very end for recreational fishing to be properly recognized in federal law," said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. "For the first time ever, Congress is sending a sportfishing-focused bill to the President's desk."

The Modern Fish Act will provide more stability and better access for anglers by: Providing authority and direction to NOAA Fisheries to apply additional management tools more appropriate for recreational fishing, many of which are successfully implemented by state fisheries agencies (e.g., extraction rates, fishing mortality targets, harvest control rules, or traditional or cultural practices of native communities); Improving recreational harvest data collection by requiring federal managers to explore other data sources that have tremendous potential to improve the accuracy and timeliness of harvest estimates, such as state-driven programs and electronic reporting (e.g., through smartphone apps); Requiring the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the process of mixed-use fishery allocation review by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Regional Fishery Management Councils and report findings to Congress within one year of enactment of the Modern Fish Act, and Requiring the National Academies of Sciences to complete a study and provide recommendations within two years of the enactment of the Modern Fish Act on limited access privilege programs (catch shares) including an assessment of the social, economic, and ecological effects of the program, considering each sector of a mixed-use fishery and related businesses, coastal communities, and the environment and an assessment of any impacts to stakeholders in a mixed-use fishery caused by a limited access privilege program. This study excludes the Pacific and North Pacific Regional Fishery Management Councils. The coalition of groups supporting the Modern Fish Act includes American Sportfishing Association, Center for Sportfishing Policy, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, International Game Fish Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association,  Recreational Fishing Alliance, The Billfish Foundation and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. America's recreational fishing and boating community applauds Congress for this historic vote and looks forward to final enactment of the Modern Fish Act following the President's signature.   -end-

About Recreational Fishing Alliance The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.

Fisherman's Post Fishing Reports Winter 2018-2019F

Topsail / Sneads Ferry – December 13, 2018

Chris, of Surf City Pier, reports that fishing has slowed due to a mixture of dirty water and rough wind, and nothing more than some small trout, mullet, and a few keeper drum have made up the majority of the pier’s catch over the last few weeks. Shrimp and grubs have been the best baits.
During these colder months, the trout, drum, and puffer bite should stay strong, and when the weather starts to warm, bluefish and spanish mackerel will be moving back in.

Elizabeth, of Jolly Roger Pier, reports that mullet, trout, keeper red drum, black drum, bluefish, puppy drum, and puffers are all biting on either live or cut shrimp. The fishing forecast for the winter months is more speckled trout and drum.

Mike, of Native Son, reports the trout bite is in early winter mode, and as the water continues to cool, remember to fish slow. When in doubt, drop your weight down to the bare minimum and slow down the retrieve even more. MR-17s moved slowly with a just a twitch every now and then should produce bites.

Kenan Brinson (age 6) showing off the speckled trout that was part of his inshore slam. Brinson also landed a redfish and a flounder while fishing with a Betts Halo Shad around Topsail Island with his dad, Dan.

Check out the fishing reports on the Fisherman's Post website HERE.

Till next time....

Tight lines!

Johnny

NC Wildlife Commission Finds Sportfish in Hurricane-Affected Rivers

After the devastation of Hurrcane Florence in eastern North Carolina, there is finally a break in the clouds. Some good news from the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. They are reporting that they are finding sportfish, such as largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish, in the rivers in the eastern part of North Carolina. 

This is especially good news after reports of massive fish kills in all the rivers in eastern NC due to Hurricane Florence, and to a lesser extent Hurricane Michael. Find the full story below. Hope you enjoy the read.

After dissolved oxygen levels returned to normal, biologists began conducting electrofishing surveys to determine the extent and severity of the fish kills. Click the link above to watch the video.

Till next time....

Tight lines!

Johnny

From the NC wildlife commission.

"Nearly three months after Hurricane Florence caused substantial fish kills in many coastal rivers in North Carolina, fisheries biologists with the Wildlife Commission have found largemouth bass, sunfish and crappie in all rivers surveyed to date, albeit in reduced numbers." MORE

Barometric Pressure and Fishing - Learn with Landers

How does Barometric pressure affect fishing? Interesting video. Short and to the point.



Till next time....
Tight lines,
Johnny

MEDIA ADVISORY: Fisheries Commission’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License Advisory Committee to meet

Roy Cooper  Governor                Michael S. Regan   Secretary                 Steve Murphey  Director

Release: Immediate	Contact: Patricia Smith
Date: Dec. 12, 2018	Phone: 252-726-7021

MOREHEAD CITY – The Marine Fisheries Commission’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License Advisory Committee will meet Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Headquarters Office, 3441 Arendell St. Morehead City.

The committee, made up of four Marine Fisheries Commission members, is meeting to give input to the Division of Marine Fisheries on the 2018 Request for Proposal Application for funding from Coastal Recreational Fishing License proceeds.

An agenda can be found here.

For more information, contact William Brantley, the Division of Marine Fisheries’ Coastal Recreational Fishing License Project Coordinator, at 252-808-8004 or William.Brantley@ncdenr.gov.

Make your voice heard. Plan to attend.

WHO:	Marine Fisheries Commission Coastal Recreational Fishing License Advisory Committee
WHAT:	Meeting to Provide advice on the 2018 Request for Proposal Application
WHEN:	Dec. 18 at 10 a.m.
WHERE:	N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Headquarters Office 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City Patricia Smith Public Information Officer Division of Marine Fisheries North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 252 808 8025    office 252 342 0642    mobile Till next time.... Tight lines, Johnny