Posts from — January 2009

Here’s a list of some of our best resouces for NJ anglers. If you have other sites you think we should include, please leave feedback below with those links. Thank you!

NJ Fishing Overview
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishing.htm

NJ Fishing Regulations  - Fresh and Saltwater (Marine)
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/njregs.htm#fishing

NJ Fishing Locations
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishplc.htm

Learn About All Types of Fish and How to Catch Them
http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/fishopedia/home

Where, When & How to Fish – Very Comprehensive Training
http://www.takemefishing.org/fishing/fishopedia/how-to-fish

Miscellaneous Fishing Sites
http://www.takemefishing.org/state/page/state-fishing/online-resources/state/NJ

Even though you may be an inland lake sailor, it is still a good idea to learn about dead reckoning. It is a way to have knowledge of where you are on a chart.

In order to calculate where you are, you must first have the definite knowledge of where you were. So, before you start on a journey, determine where you are on the chart.

To calculate you must use the following three equations(D = Distance in miles, T = Time in hours and S = Speed in knots or mph): D=ST or S=D/T or T=D/S

However, you might want to calculate in minutes instead of hours. In that case the formulas are: D=ST/60 or S=60D/T or T=60D/S

Some examples:

1) You are sailing at 14 knots. How far will you go in 40 minutes?
To find the Distance use the formula of D=ST/60. You would multiply the Speed of 14 by the Time of 40 and divide by 60, giving you a distance of 9.33 nautical miles.

2) Determine your speed. You leave a known sea buoy and arrive at another known buoy. It took you 40 minutes and you measured on the chart and know the distance is 11 miles. Using S=60D/T, simply multiply the Speed of 11 by 60 and divide the result by the Time of 40 minutes and you then determine you are traveling at 16.5 mph

3) You have a 9.5 mile reach to your home port and you are sailing at 6.5 knots. How long before you get home? Using T=60D/S, multiply 60 by the Distance of 9.5 and divide by the Speed of 6.5 and determine you will in port in 88 minutes.

Oh Sure! You are asking, “Why learn to do all this when I can use a GPS?” Good question, but learning dead reckoning is a basic that should not be overlooked.., just like learning your A, B, Cs.

It is a good idea to use two anchors when anchoring in tidal areas or when there is a front approaching. In both cases the boat will be swinging on its anchor to a new direction. And when that happens the anchor will have to break loose. Some anchors can reset quickly and safely, but many do not. And even the good ones may cause some problems.

The best bet for these conditions is to set double anchors.

There are two ways to use double anchors. If the change of direction is not too radical, you can place two anchors ahead of the boat. It is important that you lay the anchors out at an angle.., not in line.

To do so, lower the anchor and allow the boat to drift back slowly applying more and more resistance on the cleat until you have the minimum 7:1 anchor rode (length of anchor rode let out is seven times the depth of the water) and then some. Now, go forward at a 45-degree angle to the present anchor until you are abeam of it, lower the second anchor and drift back to where the anchor is set at 7:1 ratio. Secure them both and you are safe.

For radical changes (i.e., a total reversal of tide) you may need to set at 180-degrees from the boat. To do so lower the windward anchor, then let out enough anchor rode to more than double the 7:1 ratio. Then lower the downwind anchor. Now go windward again until you are directly between the two anchors and secure them both. This will allow the boat to swing in both directions.

In the most recent year with complete data, 701 lives were lost as a result of recreational boating accidents in the U.S. and its territories. BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) was identified as part of the problem in 31% of those fatalities. Operators with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent (for most of us, that means just one to three beers) are 10 times as likely to be killed in a boating accident as a sober boater.

What about the remaining three deaths out of every four? Additional contributing factors were excessive speed and other improper operation, poor vision, faulty equipment, inadequate safety systems and devices, limited or inaccurate local knowledge, and ignorance of basic rules of the waterway. Take a few minutes to browse through the headings in this important section. We encourage every boater to be serious about boating safety, starting with the proper kind and amount of boater training. Remember, a boating mishap or fatality often involves innocent people who share in none of the blame, but all of the consequence. As a responsible boater, the life you save may very well be someone else’s. Remember, B E S A F E* -

KNOW YOUR…

Boat

Equipment

Safety devices and PFDs

Alcohol limits

First aid and emergency procedures

Environment (area and weather)

…BEFORE YOU GO!

* Source: National Safe Boating Council

Many of our customers frequently ask us for a list of either party/charter fishing boats that sail from our local area (Brielle, Manasquan, Point Pleasant). The following site has  comprehensive lists of both types and while we will not recommend any here specifically, hopefully you will find these links  helfpul should you be interested in going this route:

Brielle Area Party Boats

http://www.njfishing.com/NJ_Party_Boat_Fishing.php#Point_Pleasant

Brielle Area Charter Boats

http://www.njfishing.com/NJ_Fishing_Charter.php#Point_Pleasant