Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Saw Parker Pete bought the AS. Beautiful boat. Capt Tom calling it a career or moving up to a new ride?

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Tom back it in

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

I'm not sure if he's getting out or no but he certainly is the sort of person you'd want to buy something from.. That boat was well cared for and spotless!

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Just sux if Capt Tom calls it.

I’m an old effer who remembers when AHMH was a bustling harbor. What was there ? 8-9 boats at time there?

Now 3 left. Magic hours, Nite Blues, Winter flounder trips in March. Ooff this sux.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Yep SUX / 3 left. :eek:

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

I find that unbelievable. Can’t tell me it’s the regs that are putting an end to the fleet. Just less participation as a whole. But not being in the business I may be completely wrong.

Seems like Capts who have been in the business don’t have family or friends following up to continue the business. Again, I can be completely wrong, just an observation.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Yeah Duff,
Have to agree as to not knowing not being in the business but think you are right that the cell phone generation is not carrying on the legacy.
Also the regs impact contributes to the participation of those that meat fish vs those that want a day off in the saltlife. Sad either way. See ya soon on the water!

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Open your eyes. Winter flounder, summer flounder, ling, whiting, cod, mackerel, porgies, sea bass, blackfish, stripers, bluefish, weakfish all without limits. Multiple fisheries for every season without possession limits and every stock was healthy and robust for years. Department of Commerce, NOAA and the powers to be realized some time ago the ocean is an endless supply of wealth for them to exploit and that's exactly what's been happening for decades. If you can't see it your blind. Combine that with insane operating costs to run a small business today and an industry which went from being virtually unregulated to overly regulated, I'm surprised there's still three boats in the Highlands. But as you very eloquently pointed out, no one wants to hear the truth on this site.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

I think it's both... The regs certainly don't help and there's a lot of easier ways to make a living without the daily grind of having to get up at o dark thirty and getting your hands dirty these days. Not for me but I certainly respect and appreciate those who do. Sadly it seems like they're more people getting out of it then into it.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Google , 2007 Nj marine summary card .
Then 2023 Nj marine summary card and tell me it’s not the regs .

You could keep over twice as many fish on a 40 dollar trip compared to current regs on a 90 dollar trip .

Many who used to just go out for a fun change of pace aren’t going to pay over 100 bucks with tip and travel to keep 3 fish .

Sea bass trips seem to still draw a crowd , because guys are taking home a nice bag of fillets .


Now it’s mistly the same hardcore fisherman that you see on the boats , and those numbers are dwindling fast as we all grow older .

.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

It's sad to hear another AH PB is packing it in! The Atlantic Star has been there for as long as I can remember! Like they say "consider yourself lucky if you have a good run"! Nothing lasts forever....unfortunately!

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

I get it…..peeps want stuff to take home after all the time and money spent. But it’s not everyone. I’ve posted here a million times before. My son and his bud have fished with me since they were 5 and now are 22. They couldn’t care less about keepers and regs. They just love fishing.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

My grandson is the same except when it comes to crabbing.. I do however think there are still a lot of people who want at least the possibility of catching something for the table and this is especially true for the people considering going out on a charter or party boat. I say that because I think the expectation is a little different when you're paying out of pocket for someone to put you on the fish.

Having said all this, there certainly are a lot more people coming of age these days who don't keep anything but love to fish. I do however feel there are a lot fewer getting into fishing than there were in our generation.

I don't like being doom and gloom here but I'm saddened by all the things working against our favorite pass time and how many kids will miss out on the opportunities we had... It's not all about the meat either. It's about all the other things that go along with it like fresh air, relaxation, shared in person experiences and the priceless friendships.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

here's the really weird thing, and it illustrates the problem.. Too much exploitation by those that fish salt water for the market...
If I am a good enough fisherman, on fresh water thats really productive, I can bring home to eat each day-

5 walleyes
5 Pike or Pickerel
5 Trout
5 LM or SM Bass
25 Crappies
25 Sunfish
50 Yellow Perch
25 eels
as many catfish carp, white perch, rock bass, bullheads suckers as I can possibly carry... Everything is flip flopped, because people want to eat salt water fish, and will pay just about any price to get it... This is an extreme example, and of course I'm being silly, but the fact remains.. These days, i can legally take a LOT more fish out of a small fresh water lake than I can out of the atlantic ocean... bob

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Having known Tom since the early 60’s when we both worked on boats out of Belmar. Tom on the Sea Hawk and then Black Hawk in Belmar. He has been on the water for over 60 years, We are both in our 70’s and it has to be time to start to enjoy. I haven’t talked to him in a couple of years but. I wish him well, stay healthy and enjoy. Henry

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

It used to be my favorite fluke boat. He stayed local and hit all the little spots. That worked for me because back in the 80's, I was jigging with light tackle while everyone was dragging bait. Tom was ok with me casting because he knew I wasnt going to tangle any of the other rigs (usually casting downstream)

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Tom is a real gentleman I enjoyed fishing with him for years. I know he had severe back pains that I hope he gets relief from.
If he is calling it quits it would sure be nice to hear a good -by from him.

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

I haven't been on a head boat for almost two years due to the cost and the limits...can no longer affords my favorite pastime!!!!
Will probably start to sell off my collection of old Penn spinners and conventional reels this season...It will hurt but life goes on!!!!

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Just spoke to Tom and he will be responding here....

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

As most people know by now I have sold the Atlantic Star. It's been a pretty good run. Met a lot of good people and had some good times. I want to thank everyone who has fished with me the past 50 plus years. Hope to see you around the docks. Good fishing catch em up

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Be well Captain Tom. Great to talk to you today and thanks for supporting our community here at njfishing.com all those years!

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Thank you, Tom, for everything that you've given to your friends and customers over the years. And for everything you've given up to do that.
Enjoy your days off!

Jerry

Re: Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????
 

Best of luck to you and your family Captain. Bonnie choked up when I told her.