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Manasquan Inlet
Feb. 9, 2020

[Billfish715]

An indisputably huge part of the Jersey Shore economy which, for decades, has introduced many people both young and old to the excitement of fishing. Think of the party boat fleets up and down the coast. The party boats exist because of the fishermen. The fishermen exist because of the fish. The fish will continue to exist because of the fishermen and the fishermen will continue to be introduced to fishing because of the party boats.

On a side note.........At one time there were many more party boats. Think about it.

[Hanis]

Mike hit the nail on the head.

Check out this website:

http://www.mels-place.com/mmm/

[Billfish715]

There is a lot to consider when looking at the vintage photos of the party boats. The majority of NJFishing members are too young to remember when men (Yes, I mentioned the "M" word!) boarded all sorts of vessels to subsistence fish. There were no Shop Rites, or Whole Foods, or Costco's, that sold seafood. There were some fish mongers and small fish markets, but if you wanted fish for dinner, you went out and caught it.

Private boats? What were they? Who had enough money to by one? Fishermen had to rely on party boats if they wanted to go fishing. I might be reaching, but I'll bet that many of the current boat owners who fish can trace their heritage to grandparents or great grandparents or other family members who fished on many of those party boats.

Now, after a few generational advancements in terms of education, employment and finances, many fishermen today can afford their own boats. The result is a reduced number of party boats. Large food store chains provide easy and affordable access to fresh fish. Large box stores and on-line merchants have changed the buying habits of today's fishermen. As a result, small, privately owned bait and tackle stores are now out of business.

Today, we probably have as many fishermen as there were back in the 50's or maybe even more. They now fish on private boats. Another big change is in the sophistication and technology of today's commercial fishing industry. With the global demand for fish the commercial fleets have drastically changed the character of near shore fishing for recreational enthusiasts.

Party boats have disappeared in part because of the reduction of fish numbers. The business model has changed. There is just not enough money in the party or charter business anymore for an individual to own his own boat and run it as a profitable business. Commercial enterprises are suffering a little less, but as long as they are supported by financial backers with deep pockets, they will live on. There has to be a happy medium between the two industries.

Say what you want, but the party and charter business have suffered the most with all that has happened including being forced to follow regulations that are directed at recreational fishermen. My two cents point to a separate category for charter and party boats somewhere between commercial and recreational divisions. How great would it be to see a resurgence of party boats once again, or are we relegated to just showing pictures of them to our grandchildren?

[bulletbob]

There is a lot to consider when looking at the vintage photos of the party boats. The majority of NJFishing members are too young to remember when men (Yes, I mentioned the "M" word!) boarded all sorts of vessels to subsistence fish. There were no Shop Rites, or Whole Foods, or Costco's, that sold seafood. There were some fish mongers and small fish markets, but if you wanted fish for dinner, you went out and caught it.

Private boats? What were they? Who had enough money to by one? Fishermen had to rely on party boats if they wanted to go fishing. I might be reaching, but I'll bet that many of the current boat owners who fish can trace their heritage to grandparents or great grandparents or other family members who fished on many of those party boats.

Now, after a few generational advancements in terms of education, employment and finances, many fishermen today can afford their own boats. The result is a reduced number of party boats. Large food store chains provide easy and affordable access to fresh fish. Large box stores and on-line merchants have changed the buying habits of today's fishermen. As a result, small, privately owned bait and tackle stores are now out of business.

Today, we probably have as many fishermen as there were back in the 50's or maybe even more. They now fish on private boats. Another big change is in the sophistication and technology of today's commercial fishing industry. With the global demand for fish the commercial fleets have drastically changed the character of near shore fishing for recreational enthusiasts.

Party boats have disappeared in part because of the reduction of fish numbers. The business model has changed. There is just not enough money in the party or charter business anymore for an individual to own his own boat and run it as a profitable business. Commercial enterprises are suffering a little less, but as long as they are supported by financial backers with deep pockets, they will live on. There has to be a happy medium between the two industries.

Say what you want, but the party and charter business have suffered the most with all that has happened including being forced to follow regulations that are directed at recreational fishermen. My two cents point to a separate category for charter and party boats somewhere between commercial and recreational divisions. How great would it be to see a resurgence of party boats once again, or are we relegated to just showing pictures of them to our grandchildren?

US population in 1960
Less than 180,000,000


US population 2019
329,500,000

We are catching and eating sea life before it gets a chance to replace itself, thats really the bottom line.. Too many people catching and eating too many fish..

Everyone bitches about lack of fish, anglers, for hire owners and captains, and commercial guys.. However, as long as there is ANY life out there at all, people will seek it out to catch, to eat, to take paying customers to utilize it, or to net it and sell... the pressure on edible , desirable species in the modern age is simply more than it can endure, and it comes from all sides, and is unrelenting.. Wish I saw a way out, but at this time, I have my doubts it can get much better ... bob

[NJ219bands]

In the summer of 1970 when the fare for half day fluke boats from Manasquan Inlet was $5, I won the pool 26 times. I would like to try party boat fishing again but I didn’t find a $5 fare in a very long time.

[Madcrab]

In the summer of 1970 when the fare for half day fluke boats from Manasquan Inlet was $5, I won the pool 26 times. I would like to try party boat fishing again but I didn’t find a $5 fare in a very long time.
At least five dollars get you in the pool, fare maybe not.

[Capt. Debbie]

It's a sad state of affairs but hardly new. It's been crap for the past 3 decades. And the survivor PB's are NOT riding high on lack of competition.

The PB business has been depressed in the 1990's with $4-5 fuel dock prices. Fuel prices did a number and the business never recovered. We are living in the virtual times.

SERIOUSLY! We are talking about glory days 50-60 YEARS AGO. Even 20 years ago sucked.

[frugalfisherman]

[QUOTE=bulletbob;543362]US population in 1960
Less than 180,000,000


US population 2019
329,500,000

World pop 1960 3 billion. Today just short of 8 billon.

[Capt Joe]

Ha, let them eat Tilapia😊😊

[tautog]

Problem is more regulations that a lack of fish. Open sea bass all year 25 fish, liberalize fluke limits, etc. and some people will come back. It won't go back the the glory days but it will be a good improvement.

[bulletbob]

Ha, let them eat Tilapia😊😊

I don't know much, and this is just speculation, but I think thats the right track for the future.. Farm raised fish, both fresh and salt water.. Hell, a few months ago i saw nice looking farm raised hybrid stripers on ice at Wegmans in ithaca.. Probably better eating than a big one that lived a lot of her life in the Hudson/Rartitan/NY Bight complex..

That and massive habitat construction.. Wreck, reefs etc.. get rid of the big expanses of sand in coastal areas, and intersperse them with structure,,, More habitat means more fish.... bob

[Madcrab]

I don't know much, and this is just speculation, but I think thats the right track for the future.. Farm raised fish, both fresh and salt water.. Hell, a few months ago i saw nice looking farm raised hybrid stripers on ice at Wegmans in ithaca.. Probably better eating than a big one that lived a lot of her life in the Hudson/Rartitan/NY Bight complex..

That and massive habitat construction.. Wreck, reefs etc.. get rid of the big expanses of sand in coastal areas, and intersperse them with structure,,, More habitat means more fish.... bob

They used toxic feeds for the fish farm.

[bulletbob]

They used toxic feeds for the fish farm.

They don't need to do that.. there can be some oversight and guidelines I'm sure.

Just saying we raise meat, we raise vegetables and fruit.. We can raise fish as well, and leave a few in the damn ocean instead of netting them and gobbling them down before they can even reproduce, which is what we are doing in the modern age.

[nsc_tpt]

They don't need to do that.. there can be some oversight and guidelines I'm sure.

Just saying we raise meat, we raise vegetables and fruit.. We can raise fish as well, and leave a few in the damn ocean instead of netting them and gobbling them down before they can even reproduce, which is what we are doing in the modern age.

I agree with you.. Commerical Fishing too need a break for one or 2 seasons..