02-21-2004, 03:17 AM
[mad]Published in the Asbury Park Press 2/20/04 [mad]Arguably the best surf fishing spot on all of Sandy Hook has been closed to anglers by the Coast Guard for alleged security reasons.
Beach fishermen are incensed that their only access to the striped bass fishing in The Rip is gone, and they have appealed to park authorities, congressmen, state legislators and the Coast Guard to reverse the decision.
The Coast Guard recently erected a fence to prevent access to the area, reportedly with a security camera on it to monitor it.
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-NJ, wrote the Coast Guard appealing for reconsideration of the action after he had heard from constituents and others about the action.
"This newly erected fence closes the tip of Sandy Hook to the many people who have, for years, fished in these waters," he pointed out. "The tip of Sandy Hook is a prime spot for fishing. Restricting access, or even limiting it, will be di
vantageous to the many fishermen who have traditionally benefitted from those waters.
"I ask that in keeping with all applicable rules and regulations you extend every consideration to my constituents," he added.
Joe Pallotto, president of the Asbury Park Fishing Club, said his club members as well as those from the Surf Kings and the Shark River Surf Anglers are
about the fence.
"It doesn't make any sense," he said. "Putting up a fence there only denies us access to The Rip, and doesn't improve security in the area."
In fact, Pallotto pointed out that having fishermen who know each other and are aware of strangers in the area promotes security. Few private citizens offer the vigilance, especially at night, that anglers do. Striped bass fishermen who fish the Sea Bright and Highlands bridges remember the week of 9/11 when a couple of strangers with an interest in the bridges appeared one night in the area with rods missing guides and spinning reels mounted upside down. The police were called.
Tom Fote, legislative chairman of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, said he and members of his organization have been making phone calls and talking to authorities about the fence.
"This is one of those times when the government is going too far," he said. "There is no reason to close this area to fishermen. There is no security risk there.
"Hopefully our congressmen and senators will step in and take care of this," he added. "The Coast Guard should worry about someone in a small boat landing on Sandy Hook, and not be concerned about fishermen who walk up there."
The hike through the sand from the last parking lot to the fishing ground is long and difficult, but fishermen do it, because the tip of Sandy Hook is noted for its big striped bass.
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Beach fishermen are incensed that their only access to the striped bass fishing in The Rip is gone, and they have appealed to park authorities, congressmen, state legislators and the Coast Guard to reverse the decision.
The Coast Guard recently erected a fence to prevent access to the area, reportedly with a security camera on it to monitor it.
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-NJ, wrote the Coast Guard appealing for reconsideration of the action after he had heard from constituents and others about the action.
"This newly erected fence closes the tip of Sandy Hook to the many people who have, for years, fished in these waters," he pointed out. "The tip of Sandy Hook is a prime spot for fishing. Restricting access, or even limiting it, will be di
vantageous to the many fishermen who have traditionally benefitted from those waters. "I ask that in keeping with all applicable rules and regulations you extend every consideration to my constituents," he added.
Joe Pallotto, president of the Asbury Park Fishing Club, said his club members as well as those from the Surf Kings and the Shark River Surf Anglers are
about the fence. "It doesn't make any sense," he said. "Putting up a fence there only denies us access to The Rip, and doesn't improve security in the area."
In fact, Pallotto pointed out that having fishermen who know each other and are aware of strangers in the area promotes security. Few private citizens offer the vigilance, especially at night, that anglers do. Striped bass fishermen who fish the Sea Bright and Highlands bridges remember the week of 9/11 when a couple of strangers with an interest in the bridges appeared one night in the area with rods missing guides and spinning reels mounted upside down. The police were called.
Tom Fote, legislative chairman of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, said he and members of his organization have been making phone calls and talking to authorities about the fence.
"This is one of those times when the government is going too far," he said. "There is no reason to close this area to fishermen. There is no security risk there.
"Hopefully our congressmen and senators will step in and take care of this," he added. "The Coast Guard should worry about someone in a small boat landing on Sandy Hook, and not be concerned about fishermen who walk up there."
The hike through the sand from the last parking lot to the fishing ground is long and difficult, but fishermen do it, because the tip of Sandy Hook is noted for its big striped bass.
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