NEW FISHING LINKS we added on February 18, 2010... Enjoy!



Got cabin fever?  The latest additions to our Mike's Maritime Memorabilia pages includes fifteen wonderful photos of party fishing vessels dating from 1909 through 2000 that should help you dream of warmer days and fishing trips that are just around the corner.

Longtime local angler, Mike Daniewicz combed through his extensive collection of vintage party boat photos, postcards and other neat stuff and picked out over 1,200 choice items for our enjoyment.  Depending on how long you have been fishing around the New Jersey and New York area, you (or your dad or granddad) will likely recall a few good memories.

See the latest additions to Mike's Maritime Memorabilia on our Just Added page.


Chesapeake Fishing:

AAA Charterboats - Since 1978, Captain George Prenant has been providing quality, reliable Chesapeake Bay fishing charter services.  Captain George does the legwork for you and based on your requirements, will make charter arrangements for you on any of over 35 individual charter boats sailing from Deale, MD.  There is no cost to you, the angler, for using this booking service - Deale, MD


Fine Fishing Art:

Underwater Images, Inc - Underwater photographer David Doubilet offers assignment, stock and fine art photos of our undersea world .  David is a frequent contributor for the National Geographic Magazine - Clayton, NY


Fishing Craft:

Geo Shipyard - A builder of commercial aluminum boats since 1979.  They offer custom design services and can build an aluminum catamaran or mono-hull boat to meet your requirements and specifications - New Iberia, LA

Ironwood Boats - Innovation, craftsmanship, quality and customer service come first for this premier manufacturer of welded aluminum boats.  Custom cabin, pilot house and center console models available in lengths from 20 to 33 feet - New Westminster, BC, Canada


Fishing Tackle:

North East Rod Builders - The NERBs is a group of avid custom fishing rod builders who share a passion for the artistic aspect of the craft.  The wraps these guys make are a sight to behold; they are truly the Lords of the Strings.  NERBs members are Mike Joyce, Billy Vivona, Mark Blabaum, Doc Ski, Al Ciner, Ralph Scaglione, Mike McGivney, Sean Endres, Paul Rimbeck, Victor Ghini, Rich Schwarz, Mike Garone, Jim Rippe, Mark Daley and Mark Fisher.  Contact any of them and get your rod of a lifetime.

Swift Creek Lures - Bill Grossman's lures are "Art with a Hook".  His fishing lures and fish decoys are original designs and are completely handmade.  Only hardwoods such as walnut, cherry, mahogany and maple are used to ensure durability. What separates Bill's work from other handmade lures is the painting. Only the best quality paints are used and all lures are brush painted.  Most of his lures are one-of-a-kind, but occasionally Bill will make a few of one style - Midlothian, VA


Florida Fishing:

Fly Fishing the 10,000 Islands - Saltwater fly fishing charters with Captain Bill Baldus.  Half day and full day trips are available for up to two persons aboard Captain Baldus' 17-foot Maverick flats boat.  They fish from Rookery Bay to the northern part of the Keys and are permitted for fishing in Everglades National Park waters - Port of the Islands Marina, Naples, FL


Fly Fishing:

FlyFish10k - Bill and Gretchen Baldus offer a unique selection of some of the finest saltwater fly fishing products including fly reels, fly rods, fly lines, leaders, flies, fly-tying materials and accessories - Naples, FL


Government Sites:

NATIONAL SALTWATER ANGLER REGISTRY - NOAA Fisheries MARINE RECREATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAM or MRIP, is a new tool that will help NOAA and anglers work together to help ensure the long-term sustainability of America's recreational fisheries and the health of our oceans.  This is the mandatory federal registry for saltwater anglers if you live in a state that does not require a state saltwater fishing license.  You can register online starting January 1, 2010; there is no charge to register and it only takes a couple of minutes to complete. You will be mailed a registration card that is valid for one year.

NMFS - Fisheries Statistics & Economics Division - Use this link to query Recreational Fisheries Statistics.  Are you curious to see what they think you are catching?

NMFS - Recreational Fisheries Services - This is NOAA Fisheries site that lauds the recreational fisherman, praises how important he is to the environment and to the economy, and generally blows smoke up your rump.


Marine Gear:

Bottom Paint Store - Offers a variety of bottom paint, gelcoat, boat paint, antifouling paint, and marine paint supplies.  Featured brands include Sea Hawk Paints, AwlGrip, Camp Company Boat Zincs, 3M, Festool Power Tools and more.  They deliver anywhere in the USA - Oldsmar, FL

Lumishore - Underwater LED lighting solutions for boats, docks, marinas, pontoons, water features, ponds and other underwater applications.  Boat LED fixtures include models for outboard lower units, trim tabs, through hull and drain plug.  A variety of colors are available and some models have variable color output - Swansea, UK

Tiger Docks - Manufacturers of engineered floating and stationary boat docks, and stationary, floating and personal watercraft boat lifts.  For do-it-yourself projects, they provide the materials, plans and technical assistance, and you build it - O'Fallon, MO


Marine Propulsion:

Camp Company - A leading manufacturer of zinc and aluminum anodes for marine corrosion control.  A wide variety of shapes and sizes are offered for both commercial and recreational applications including tear drop, rectangular, barrel collar, donut collar, tapered, plate, tapered plate, pencil and disc zincs, propeller nut, acorn nut, outboard, outdrive, bow thruster and heat exchanger anodes, and fish/crab trap zincs, condenser, keel cooler and trim tab zincs - Saint Petersburg, FL


Party & Charter Fishing Boats:

BOOKFISHINGTRIPS.com - Providing anglers a no-hassle way of booking fishing trips on private charters or party boats from Maine to North Carolina, regardless of whether you intend to go alone or as a group.  Optional transportation service also available - College Point, New York, NY

FIRST CATCH Fishing - Captain Ed Crespy offers half day, three quarter day and full day charter fishing trips on Barnegat Bay and nearby ocean waters.  His 28-foot Pursuit open fisherman can accommodate up to four passengers, and bait, fishing tackle and ice are included.  Captain Ed targets all local species, but his specialty is Fluke - South Harbor Marine, Waretown, NJ

MY BONNI Charters - Captain Rick Cohen offers half day and full day bay and ocean charter fishing trips.  His 31-foot Parker with enclosed pilot house accommodates up to six passengers - Freeport Boatmen's Association Marina, Freeport, NY


BOBBY II Collision:

Fifty-five years ago, on Saturday morning, April 23, 1955, the "BOBBY II" left her slip at the Belmar Marine Basin and headed out for a day of Cod fishing.  Captain David Shinn was at the helm, son Alvin Shinn was the mate, and 57 passengers got their fishing gear ready.  After a day of fishing at the Mud Hole, Captain Shinn blew three whistles, started the engines and began the journey home in a dense fog.  A short time later, he noticed the bow of a large vessel looming out of the fog and heading directly for his boat.  He quickly put both engines full speed astern, but despite his efforts, the freighter "PRESIDENT BUCHANAN" rammed the "BOBBY II".  The crash sheared off thirteen feet of the bow of the "BOBBY II" and tossed three passengers into the forty-eight degree seawater.  Click here to read the full story and see a few pictures of the "BOBBY II".


Welcome to the Codfish Ball!

Click here to see some pictures of our gang fishing aboard Captain Joe Huckemeyer's "HELEN H" from Hyannis, MA.  The target... George's Bank Cod.

Come along and follow me
To the bottom of the sea
We'll join in the jamboree
At the Codfish Ball.

Finnan haddie lead the eel
Through an Irish reel,
The catfish is a dancing man,
But he can't can-can like a sardine can!

Tunas truck-in' left and right
Minnies moochin' what a night!
There won't be a hook in sight
At the Codfish Ball.

Follow these links for earlier trips: 2003 Codfish Ball or 2004 Codfish Ball


Sandy Hook, NJ Lighthouse:

Sandy Hook Lighthouse - Did you know that it is the oldest, original structure still functioning as a navigational beacon in the United States?  Did you know that it is the first lighthouse in the country to be lit by electric lamps?

The Sandy Hook Lighthouse was first lit on June 11, 1764 and it's silhouette and warm beam of light is a familiar sight to anglers, mariners and travelers passing in and out of New York Harbor.  It's now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook, NJ so stop by for a visit the next time you’re in the area.







Bringing the USS Cole back home:

Click here to see a dramatic sequence of photos depicting the Norwegian heavy-lift vessel BLUE MARLIN raising the bomb-damaged USS COLE prior to transporting her from Yemen back to the United States.