Let's do a poll for a bag and size limit

1 fish. I'm ok w/28" or 36". or anywhere in between. Although I am leaning more towards the higher end these days.

Drop the commercial season.

1 @ 36". This method has already been proven to be effective. Why not make it permenant.

I was against the 2 @ 28" when they brought it......who needs 2 fish a day??? Many take the 2 fish every time they go out........who eats that much fish??? I voted 1 @ 34"!!:uhuh:

1 @ 36"

1@36.
been saying it as long as Eben's been saying the sky is falling :D

1 at 36" coast-wide would be a great start

1 @ 36

Even though I would rather keep a 28” fish than a 36” fish because I don’t need/eat all that much striper and a 28 incher is just enough for a couple of meals I voted for 1 @ 36. I think this would significantly cut down on the number of fish being kept especially by the charter boats taking 6 man limits on an almost daily basis and is the best option for the health of the fishery.

I would really hate to see different bag limits for recreational anglers vs charter/party boats like they currently have with scup. I don’t’ see how this is at all fair for rec anglers.

Nobody probably remembers but an elected official and his two boys supposedly went fishing when it was one fish at 36" and couldn't catch a keeper. That is the reason why it is two at 28" now.

1 @ 36" works for me.......

1@34

2 fish a day is too much.

1 at 36" coast-wide would be a great start


yup...

Slot: 28 -36" If the limit were 34+ I'd never get to bring home a fish!

Just so you guys know, I will post the results when the Poll closes on Nov 1.
So far, you will be amazed.

I don't think I will be too shocked Paul! I am guessing most do not like the 2 fish limit.......good example of how the friggin' state and DMF listen to the fishing public!:smash:

1@ 36...

Not that it was a choice but I'd like to see a slot. 1 20-26 (will target more males, not just the 99% females that end up being targeted in over 28" ranges) and one over 40.


And yes, I chose what is the popular theme in the poll...

1 fish at 36" and the ocean would be over run with bass in a few years.:uhuh: While this woud be a great winfall for us fishermen its not a necessary measure, IMO.

The 36" size was gradually arrived at to protect a specific year class of fish (1982). It was an emergency measure by all definitions. We're not in need of an emergency measure right now.

People may forget or weren't around for it, but the limit started at 24" and got progressively larger until it hit 36". It went something like 24-28-30-33-36 until the stocks were deemed restored by the managers.

There is, however, plenty of unnecessary killing generated by allowing the recs 2 fish per day right now.

1 fish at 28".

slot
one small
one large

Not that it was a choice but I'd like to see a slot. 1 20-26 (will target more males, not just the 99% females that end up being targeted in over 28" ranges) and one over 40.


And yes, I chose what is the popular theme in the poll...


I am in favor of this slot, the smaller fish havent run the gambit of life and survived.. yet.., and at that size they are the best eating with less chance for retaining heavy metals... and as for the trophy clause.. make it a real trophy..48" or better....

These things are dangerous to eat. The government should protect us and shut it all down. And while they are at it they should protect the innocent eels and menhaden from being exploited as bait. Barring that, 1 at 28" seems fair. A 36" fish is a high bar for many recreational fishermen (like Sauerkraut) to reach.

1 @ 36"

But enforcement is another issue. Paul, I know you saw people taking a bunch of undersized bass and/or more than the 2 bag limit at 28" this spring. And the main reason: people didn't even know. The fish were so easy to catch that anyone with a boat was heading up there to have some fun...but didn't know what they were doing. So unless there is stricter enforcement, this really good idea of 1@36" is :wall:

That whole scene up there in the spring needs to be watched more carefully.

Why can't we see the results of the poll?

1 @ 36

... while fish between 30-34 offer more than enough to eat, the larger limit will help build up better stocks of fish.

Enforcement will of course be a huge issue, no matter what size limit is in place.

under 28" lots of sm fish out there for food.....sm ones eat best

As crafty mentioned Coast wide is the key. From Maine to Virginia.

Why can't we see the results of the poll?


Its a hidden poll that will become visible when it ends November 1st. Being hidden, there is a good chance it will be more accurate as well.

Its a hidden poll that will become visible when it ends November 1st. Being hidden, there is a good chance it will be more accurate as well.

That is the reason I made it hidden. I wanted unbiased opinions

It seems to me that reducing the bag limit is the key - thinking about all the big bass killed by charters. I'm a little flexible on minimun size, tending to favor one at 34". It's also necessary to control the seining of pogy in order to supply the bass with ample food.

under 28" lots of sm fish out there for food.....sm ones eat best

think :smash: !!!!! please let the big cows w/500000 eggs get a chance to breed...lets fase gentlemen you have to save the big breeders :love:in the fall .. i think it should be c/r all large bass after oct 1st and 1or2 fish under 28 per day ....save the big cows for future breeding for a larger size smolt. big fish have healthy fry:....or does that make to much sense.:rotf2:the big fish dont eat as good as the sm ones.. also little ones have less pcb's and myrex:confused: thank you....it kills me to see two big fish leave w/ 1 man .....as u know.....:wall:

I woud bet any amount of money that if we posted al the availabe info on mortality as it relates to size limits and the spawning productivity charts as they reate to size limits that almost all on this poll would change their minds.

Just an observation.

Best idea is to spend some time at the upcoming ASMFC Annual Meeting being hed in Newport RI next month.

1@34"

It's funny, just yesterday I was reading an old thread in a charter boat forum (I think) about a bill in MA that was proposed to limit it to 1 fish per day. These charter boat captains were crying to each other how it would hurt the industry and that people wouldn't pay to charter if they could only keep one fish "that couldn't even feed a family". They also thought it was crazy not to let the captain and mate each take 2 per day. I have not been able to get this out of my mind since reading it. Some of these boats are keeping 12 fish per day. I think that 1 per day is more than enough and people that charter should only get to keep a real trophy (bigger that 48" maybe). Just an unprofessional opinion.

Some of these boats are keeping 12 fish per day.

Some charter skippers actually do two trips per day and could legally keep 28 fish per day, believe it or not.

12 fish X two trips=24 fish

2 more fish each for skipper and mate=4

24+4=28

I Strongly believe in having the OPTION of taking 2 FISH per Day!!!

28" +


Shame on those who do not eat some of the fish they catch, yet will eat store bought fish!!! :smash:....LAZY azzz bastuds. :uhuh:

Yes, I EAT fish.....lots of it. I have bass in the freezer now, and hope to add some Tog to it as well :soon:

Nothing wrong eating stripped bass, but some degree of conservation has to be practiced. Remember the 80's?
Also, a friend went out in a group of 5 this summer on a charter to BI; each man on the charter caught his limit totalling 10 bass, and the captain retained two extra bass. At the dock the captain gave his fish to his clients, creating a situation that's wasteful and no doubt illegal, given that the clients walked away with more than the limit.

Considering its a possesion limit, if one of those guys got pulled over and inspected they would have been screwed

Keep in mind, when these results post they are going to represent significant selection bias - and not be a true representation of the overall fishing public.

This site is generally a group of good fisherman that put in alot of days/hours - the result will reflect that and not necessarily the larger user group.

Kind of like taking a poll on the effectiveness of Barrack Obama in South Providence.

That said - Interested to see the results.

1@36"

I was against the 2 @ 28" when they brought it......who needs 2 fish a day??? Many take the 2 fish every time they go out........who eats that much fish??? I voted 1 @ 34"!!:uhuh:

i do

Some charter skippers actually do two trips per day and could legally keep 28 fish per day, believe it or not.

12 fish X two trips=24 fish

2 more fish each for skipper and mate=4

24+4=28

cap n mate are only allowed 2/day

not /trip

Hoping it will prevent guys from high-grading 28" fish and killing multiples.

No commercial season.

No fishing in spawning areas just before or during spawning season.

Earmark license funds to protect spawning habitat and step up fisheries enforcement.

I'd like to see a slot, one small and one 36 or 42+ plus, I like to eat an occassional striper but smaller is tastier.

I think this poll on a striper fishing message board will be much different than the same poll with average Joes. If you participate in a striper web site and read the board and take polls , odds are you will be an avid fisherman who number 1...catches planty of fish over 36 and number 2 have a concern for the fishery.

You would not believe the number of fisherman who go maybe 1 or 2 times a year and cannot catch a fish at all. If they do , its likely a 24 or 26 inch fish. They don't get to keep anything. There are probabl;y 10 of these people to every one of us who are more into the sport.

Anyway , If the poll on a striper site comes out any way other than showing the fewest number of bigger fish I would be very surprised. Just remember that of 80 guys vote that way here , there are probably 800 guys out there who would vote the other extreme of the largest number of small fish.

one fish per person..26-28"....said it before, you up to 36" and these folks who really don't know how to fish will kill more trying to get to that 36" fish....stiffy is right, keep it small....all others get tossed back..take your pic and release it if you feel the need to beet on your chest.

As crafty mentioned Coast wide is the key. From Maine to Virginia.

It already is coastwidel. Except for a small section of Chesapeake Bay, it 2 at 28 or stricter all along the coast.

1 between 22" and 27"

one between 18 and 26in. best eating and we shouldn't eat more than one a month anyhow. let them reproduce.

Actually I like Maine's slot limit, 1 fish it can be 20" to 26" or over 40". I think there is some fairly sound fisheries management science behind it.

I think we should copy the recreational policies of Chesapeake Bay fisheries, One at 18"-24" and one "trophy" above 40" with special permit during spawning... But reg season is still 2 a day 28" minimum... And as far as commercial goes I think they should go to quota fishing end of story once the limit hits its OVER done I think they should do tis with most fisheries to be honest. It works the best...

as a meat fisherman it pains me to say it but i would be in favor of a 50% reduction in the harvest of stripers both comm and rec. for recs 1 fish at 28"-36" plus some sort of trophy (44"+?) clause and cut the comm quota by half. it would be nice to see the waters teeming w/ bass. that being said we better make sure these bass have enough to eat inshore, ie more pogs and less dogs

Just so you guys know, I will post the results when the Poll closes on Nov 1.
So far, you will be amazed.

The results are hidden for everyone but Administrators, Moderators and thread starter.

But I'm not surpeised ;)

The one thing that needs to be fixed is the bait, netting needs to be limited and the seals need to be thinned out once this happens the bass will be alot stronger

1 @ 36", leave the breeder males ALONE!!!

if ya can't reach that mark, then get better or stay the EFFF home!
and leave your trash, landing strip lights, and stinking
white buckets home TOO!!! just my humble opinion, gents!
:bl: :bl: :bl:

I think 1 fish at 30" -36" slot

Then you have to buy a license to keep any fish over 45" and limit that at 3 for the season. (calm down its just an idea)

It'd be like getting a doe license. Aren't the big girls the best breeders? isn't that the idea? With cameras everywhere these days do you need to drag it home anymore? The meat isn't even as good.

I've thought about this subject a lot this year. A couple of things I've noticed is in the few times I've been outside the three mile range either tuna fishing or on bass tagging trips for the state there is no shortage of bass offshore. I personally think this has a lot to do with where the majority of the bait is. If you take river herring for example in years past there were millions of fish going up and down runs and billions of juveniles dropping out, basically providing a season long inshore food source, thus giving a reason for fish to stay inshore. Now with these runs in peril the food source is greatly reduced giving fish far less reason to stay inshore. What I'm trying to say is, the bass are going to go where the bait is and right now there is a lot more bait offshore than inshore. So by just lowering bag limit I really don't think you are going to see much of an improvement of the inshore fishery. All that being said I would be in favor in a reduction of the bag limit to 1 @ 28" which still gives your average Joe a chance to take home a fish.

1 @ 28"

[QUOTE=BassDawg;720387]1 @ 36", leave the breeder males ALONE!!!
QUOTE]


Target the females and leave the males alone?

I woud bet any amount of money that if we posted al the availabe info on mortality as it relates to size limits and the spawning productivity charts as they reate to size limits that almost all on this poll would change their minds.

Just an observation.

Best idea is to spend some time at the upcoming ASMFC Annual Meeting being hed in Newport RI next month.

It would be great if the ASMFC did not hold their meetings at 1:30 on a week day. Some of us have to work...

It would be great if the ASMFC did not hold their meetings at 1:30 on a week day. Some of us have to work...

The guys who are attending these meeting are working, just like you and I do, its their job to attend the meeting. Besides, this is NOT a public hearing, those are almost always scheduled after "normal" working hours.

1 @ 36", leave the breeder males ALONE!!!

:

Breeder males???? Umm majority of fish at 36" and bigger you catch is gonna be a female... Male bass dont get that big just to let you know you have the science backwards... In most other mammal communities the female is the bigger less attractive colored one... So keep in mind all the trophy bass caught are generally female....

The guys who are attending these meeting are working, just like you and I do, its their job to attend the meeting. Besides, this is NOT a public hearing, those are almost always scheduled after "normal" working hours.

unless its today and they are in glouster protesting at the NMFS building... DUMB... I been up in the point last couple days seeing the flyers and what not....

unless its today and they are in glouster protesting at the NMFS building... DUMB... I been up in the point last couple days seeing the flyers and what not....

I was referring to the guys who make up the ASMFC!

Its hard to guage. I agree, 2 fish a day is a bit waistfull.
There is scientific research that says we should be letting the big guys go due to better gene pools/larger spawns from them as opposed to the smaller. But with the size restriction smaller does that mean more overall fish will be caught and brought home?

oh ok Mike.... I just saw the fliers for the protest... I know a lot of the guys down there feel accosted by NMFS but its a necessary evil IMHO

I was against the 2 @ 28" when they brought it......who needs 2 fish a day??? Many take the 2 fish every time they go out........who eats that much fish??? I voted 1 @ 34"!!:uhuh:

I could not agree more!!

1 fish at 36 did wonders last time ... bring it back please

Almost 50% (49.19% )of the voters favored 1 fish 36"

19% voted for 1 fish, 34"

17% 1, fish 28"

14% 2, 28"

The really interesting stat is the 86% of the voters favor dropping the bag limit to 1 fish a day. How the heck to we get the fisheries management people to listen.

Actually I like Maine's slot limit, 1 fish it can be 20" to 26" or over 40". I think there is some fairly sound fisheries management science behind it.

I agree with the slot limit it. Been saying that for a while.
I rather keep 28" fish over a 50" to eat any day...but I just can't catch em that small:hihi:

If I had a say it would be the slot 20 - 26 or one over 40. The smaller fish are perfect eating size, target some males and also the filets would have less mercury PCB etc. If I had to choose a second it would be simply keep one fish at 28. No need for two. I have done it one occasion when we have a big party and want to serve fish but that is maybe once a year.

.....time for a short-term, coastwide moratorium. maybe 1-2 years. maybe get a few strong year classes established.

Poll has me curious . Wish I could see voting results vs fishing region . Just wondering where the people who like 2 fish a day are fishing . If they are strictly boat fisherman ?

The really interesting stat is the 86% of the voters favor dropping the bag limit to 1 fish a day. How the heck to we get the fisheries management people to listen.[/QUOTE]

They do listen to recreational fisherman Paul, unfortunately our recreational interests are put forth by the booming voices of the Party and Charter Boat industry.

In addition to striped bass, look at the seasonal openings and bag limits for Fluke, Tautog, Scup. It's all about getting people onboard a charter and paying a fare to stock their coolers.

In my opinion there should be seperate categories of fisheries advisors for recreational fisherman and charter boats, and the recreational advisor has no financial stake in recreational limits.

The only way to get our voices heard is to show up at meetings and state our case and that is something that recreational fisherman dont do particularly well.

Ed

They do listen to recreational fisherman Paul, unfortunately our recreational interests are put forth by the booming voices of the Party and Charter Boat industry.

In addition to striped bass, look at the seasonal openings and bag limits for Fluke, Tautog, Scup. It's all about getting people onboard a charter and paying a fare to stock their coolers.

In my opinion there should be seperate categories of fisheries advisors for recreational fisherman and charter boats, and the recreational advisor has no financial stake in recreational limits.

The only way to get our voices heard is to show up at meetings and state our case and that is something that recreational fisherman dont do particularly well.

Ed

Rightly said, Ed...:kewl:

I went to an open meeting of the RI Striped Bass Advisory Council with DZ for the 1st time maybe 5 or 6 years ago expecting an auditorium meeting only to find maybe a dozen fishing folk there around a table in a small room

I think DZ and I were two of the VERY few there - if not the only two - who were not charter skippers - the bias toward charter boat interests was immediately obvious

If money is involved, it's a vocation not an avocation and not recreational

Ed's right - muttering among ourselves and shaking our heads will accomplish nothing

The make-up of the advisory boards with a commercial stake will always skew the results until there's some parity with not-for-profit representation

If I had a say it would be the slot 20 - 26 or one over 40. .

I voted for one at 36" but I personally agree with this, Maine has it right. Even with a narrower slot, say 22-26".

But, I don't eat fish, I never kept a bass, not one. Revive and release them all. It's my choice to do so.

Almost 50% (49.19% )of the voters favored 1 fish 36"

19% voted for 1 fish, 34"

17% 1, fish 28"

14% 2, 28"

The really interesting stat is the 86% of the voters favor dropping the bag limit to 1 fish a day. How the heck to we get the fisheries management people to listen.

just wondering if anyone would have voted for moratorium, had it been on the board......

Almost 50% (49.19% )of the voters favored 1 fish 36"

19% voted for 1 fish, 34"

17% 1, fish 28"

14% 2, 28"

The really interesting stat is the 86% of the voters favor dropping the bag limit to 1 fish a day. How the heck to we get the fisheries management people to listen.

Attend the RI Striped Bass Advisory Council meetings with an agenda and state your concern.
All the resources are here on S-B (i.e members) and all we need is a leader and since you initiated this poll along with your knowledge and experience you would make a good candidate.

We have trouble organizing a S-B leg event let alone something of this magnitude unless there is a raffle or food involved. :)

Food ?:uhuh:

Poll has me curious . Wish I could see voting results vs fishing region . Just wondering where the people who like 2 fish a day are fishing . If they are strictly boat fisherman ?

1 of those fishermen lives and fishes in CT :uhuh: 2 @ 28"

Breeder males???? Umm majority of fish at 36" and bigger you catch is gonna be a female... Male bass dont get that big just to let you know you have the science backwards... In most other mammal communities the female is the bigger less attractive colored one... So keep in mind all the trophy bass caught are generally female....

!!!precisely!!! hence my mantra,,,,,,,,,,,,,

if they are under the size requirement,
then they are less likely to be kept, NO?

i am well aware of the SCIENCE m'man~~~
also, by restricting our bag limit to 1/day we could limit
the catch of the breeder FEMALES that tend to be over 36",,,,,,,,,,,,

but they have to be bred at some point, and most of those GUYS are in the 22" to 30" range, i'm guessing??? are you digging my science, now Islander77? besides,,,,,,,,,,most of the surfcasters who DO catch over 36" are avid C&R guys, since we KNOW just how important the Big Gurls are to our fishery.

last question~~~ since when did fish, become mammals?

Attend the RI Striped Bass Advisory Council meetings with an agenda and state your concern.
All the resources are here on S-B (i.e members) and all we need is a leader and since you initiated this poll along with your knowledge and experience you would make a good candidate.

We have trouble organizing a S-B leg event let alone something of this magnitude unless there is a raffle or food involved. :)

OK! Since the challenge has been raise I accept. I would be happy to represent SB.Com

if you guys can give me some direction I will run with it.

The only reason to keep one is to eat one(or sell one to be eaten). I'd rather eat smaller ones so if there's going to be a limit, I'd like it smaller at 28." Unless I'm feeding a hungry hoard or promised a neighbor a fillet or two, there's usually not a need for the second one. If there is a need, welllll then, I'll just have an excuse to go fishing an extra night...:)

just wondering if anyone would have voted for moratorium, had it been on the board......

I definitely would not be against it. I do like to keep a fish from time to time, but I would rather just catch fish and if I have to throw it back then that is fine with me.

I do not understand why charter boat and party boat captains are so against stricter regs. People will still want to go fishing even if they have to throw them back won't they? If anything it will help their business long term.

I definitely would not be against it. I do like to keep a fish from time to time, but I would rather just catch fish and if I have to throw it back then that is fine with me.

I do not understand why charter boat and party boat captains are so against stricter regs. People will still want to go fishing even if they have to throw them back won't they? If anything it will help their business long term.

A couple or more big fish on the dock is advertising. Anyone who is curious enough to take time to stop and watch a charter boat unload at the dock at the end of a trip becomes a potential, though innocently enough, customer.

I knwo I worked charter boats in the 70's and the more fish you could put on the dock and have a bunch of satisfied chater clients back slapping and snapping pictures and hooting and hollering about how greath the fishing was attracts the innocent bystanders into the notion of doing it themsleves. If you put more on the dock to see then the next skipper you get more business, it's all about making money and making more than the next guy.:uhuh:

I definitely would not be against it. I do like to keep a fish from time to time, but I would rather just catch fish and if I have to throw it back then that is fine with me.

I do not understand why charter boat and party boat captains are so against stricter regs. People will still want to go fishing even if they have to throw them back won't they? If anything it will help their business long term.

No.
their concern is that w/ lower bags people won't spend the money to go. Especially true with bottom fish.

Breeder males???? Umm majority of fish at 36" and bigger you catch is gonna be a female... Male bass dont get that big just to let you know you have the science backwards... In most other mammal communities the female is the bigger less attractive colored one... So keep in mind all the trophy bass caught are generally female....

fish are mammals now?? i've been out of school too long.

1 or above 30" fishing should be a sport for injoyment