Albany Times Union, N.Y. Fred LeBrun Column: Time to Book Striper Charter

By Fred LeBrun, Albany Times Union, N.Y.

Feb. 8–For now, the molecular density of the Hudson River above the Patroon Island Bridge is not conducive to drifting a live herring through 18 feet of water in search of a striped bass longer than your arm.

But that will change. Trust that the ice will eventually break up; it always has before. It’s one of the predictable charms of the changing seasons and traditional blood sports that go with them. And yes, striped bass fishing is a blood sport, or can be. Filet one and you’ll see my reasoning.

Even now, mired as we are in winter’s discontent, it’s never too early to sign up a charter captain for the short but spectacular striper season that most years begins here at the top of the Hudson estuary about the last week of April and lasts until about the end of May.

If you don’t track down your preferred charter now, you run the risk of winding up with some idiot’s half brother for a guide because the good ones will be taken.

My good friend Captain Preston Lightsey of Coeymans says he was catching pretty hefty stripers on chunk herring until late in June last year, but that was unusual. In truth, the entire season was weird in 2006. The action started early, then went real cold and wet and the fishing appeared to be over, but then came back again late about the time most captains had taken their boats off the river. Then again, weird weather patterns these days seem more the norm than the exception and we need to anticipate. Preston says he is going to accept charters into June this year just in case.

He was using chunk because the schools of spawning alewives and bluebacks had already come and gone from the Hudson so live bait was hard to come by. These were bait fish he’d put in the freezer for the start of the next season, the one coming up. There’s always that initial week or so when a few significant stripers arrive before fresh bait is widely available or can be reliably jigged, before the general anadromous migration of stripers, American shad and two types of river herring transform the Hudson into a river of spectacular bounty and excitement.

This has been a winter of practically no snow fall — so far. There’s plenty of time for that to change. But until recently, we’ve had no lack of precipitation. Take a look at the reservoirs; they’re all full. Even if we don’t get a good snow pack up in the mountains, the Hudson should still be in terrific shape for the striper season if current conditions continue.

There are no changes in DEC regulations for the upcoming season for recreational striper fishermen.

Rules in place for years continue to apply: one fish a day, minimum length 18 inches, with J-hooks allowed even though circle hooks are strongly recommended to minimize the mortality for released fish.

Big changes will likely come next year, says Gerry Barnhart, the head of the DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, although we still have the full regulatory process ahead of us.

Changes proposed for 2008 include:

Raising the minimum length of a legal fish from 18 inches to 28 inches.

Requiring the exclusive use of circle hooks for bait fishing between April 1 and June 1. That effectively means banning treble and J-hooks for baitfishing. These hooks can still be used as part of artificial baits.

A new license requirement for charter captains, similar to the license charter boats in New York marine waters must have, costing $250 a year.

New rules as to who can or can’t filet striped bass while on the water. Essentially it comes down to licensed charters being able to, but recreational fishermen not. The idea is for the whole fish to make it to shore now that we’re making a legal fish 28 inches.

Massachusetts has had a 28-inch minimum length rule for years, and I can’t tell you how many stripers I’ve taken on flies and bait that were 27 1/2 inches and had to be released.

There will be informational meetings on these proposed reg changes up and down the Hudson Valley into the late summer, so plenty of input from the fishing community will be gathered before final rule making happens. And there could be changes made as a result.

Just as there apparently are changes coming for the dramatic emergency regs adopted by the DEC concerning bait fish, which are designed to arrest the spread of deadly viral hemorrhagic septicemia.

Barnhart says that in all probability, the widely unpopular rule banning the gathering of herring in the tribs of the Hudson like the Esopus, Rondout, Catskill and Poestenkill Creeks for recreational use will be changed to allowing the taking of bait in all tribs “up to the first barrier.” Herring gatherers will still need a valid New York State fishing license once in these tribs, though. No license of any kind is needed for fishing the arm of the sea, the Hudson River estuary from New York Harbor to the Federal dam in Troy.

Another rule limiting the purchase of bait fish to 100 per person, also unpopular, may be revisited, says Barnhart, although that is less certain. Some anglers want the flexibility of picking up bait for friends as well as for themselves.

Remember, charter captains are feeling the gas pinch even more than you are — check out those marine engines — so a slightly higher price this year is to be expected. Most of the captains listed below I know personally. A few I do not, but they come recommended by those who themselves have proved reliable:

Capt. John Stoddard of Albany Charters, out of Green Island. 782-0530

Capt. Bob Wason of Charter One, out of Green Island. 462-6803

Capt. Preston Lightsey, out of Coeymans Landing. 756-8866

Capt. Steve Buckbee, out of Green Island. 421-2789

Capt. Joe DeMarco, out of Green Island. 273-0742

Capt. Ron Zielinski, the dean of Hudson River striper charters in the upper half of the estuary, out of Rondout Creek. 252-249-2128

Capt. Todd Rhinesmith, out of Rondout Creek. 973-508-3319; 973-835-3571

Capt. Chris Van Deusen, out of Albany or Bethlehem. 421-2746

Capt. R.E. Booth of Reel Happy Charters, out of Cairo. 622-8670

Capt. Larry Jones out of Rondout Creek. 265-3421

Capt. Don Richter out of Bethlehem. 756-7696

Capt. Bob Lewis. 943-3407

Capt. Norm Stahlman of Triple F Adventures, out of Albany. 423-5051.

And if all else fails, or even if it doesn’t, contact the all-knowing, all-wise Sharon at Certified Marine on the Rondout who has an endless list of captains at her fingertips. She can be reached at Saltyshar@aol.com.

Fred LeBrun can be reached at 454-5453 or by e-mail at flebrun@timesunion.com.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Albany Times Union, N.Y.

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