JESUS WILL SAVE YOU.
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Afraid that ship has sailed.
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The new commercial tag requirements should go a long way to stopping the commercial sale of recreational caught fish.

The new commercial tag requirements should go a long way to stopping the commercial sale of recreational caught fish.

I agree Mike - also need to write it into law that restaurants that serve striped bass must keep tag numbers of all fish purchased. Get some volunteers from each town to look for restaurants that are serving striped bass and ask to see the tag numbers. No tag number - they get reported to authorities. Restaurants need a share of the blame. Be easy to shame them on social media/review sites.

Striped bass in restaurants I would guess goes by many other names.
There are just so many Chinese joints !
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i'm glad for the risaa membership survey, better late than never. i'm sure they received a lot well well deserved flak from members.

Me too. I was very disappointed in their position, the rationale which sounded either naive or manipulative.

I suppose it could still be a ruse, but I hope not. RISAA does have some history of reversing it's original position based on additional info/comments from it's members.

You guys are accusing ALL the people who support 2 fish while on a charter, of being Poachers.
"The only reason for the extra fish is to sell it"!(the fish itself)Either legally, or thru the back door of some restaurant or shady fishmonger." Therefore in your minds blocking the charter boats from getting 2 fish is, in essence, blocking all this poaching and justified.

One persons opinion does not constitute group thought.
Stop trying to read between the lines here. Any objective person who sees this thread would most likely come to the conclusion that most opinions here are simply to reduce the catch to one fish for the sake of conservation, and the future well-being of the species.
Conversely,the group who is lobbying for a 2 fish limit is simply being greedy and cares more about lining their pockets than it does the future of the striped bass.
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One persons opinion does not constitute group thought.
Stop trying to read between the lines here. Any objective person who sees this thread would most likely come to the conclusion that most opinions here are simply to reduce the catch to one fish for the sake of conservation, and the future well-being of the species.
Conversely,the group who is lobbying for a 2 fish limit is simply being greedy and cares more about lining their pockets than it does the future of the striped bass.
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That's exactly what Mike said !

You think charter guys that want 2 fish don't care about the bass ? Why does everything have to be such an extreme??
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One persons opinion does not constitute group thought.
Stop trying to read between the lines here. Any objective person who sees this thread would most likely come to the conclusion that most opinions here are simply to reduce the catch to one fish for the sake of conservation, and the future well-being of the species.
Conversely,the group who is lobbying for a 2 fish limit is simply being greedy and cares more about lining their pockets than it does the future of the striped bass.
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So what you are really saying is that you don't like the ASMFC's determination that a 25% reduction is warranted and you want a 31% reduction?

How do you feel about NY's proposal which will allow two fish for everyone?

If so many fish are being sold in back door of restaurants as so many hwre are suggesting goes on i find it amazing in this day and age with everyone with a cell phone and taking video I've yet to see someone post a video
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So what you are really saying is that you don't like the ASMFC's determination that a 25% reduction is warranted and you want a 31% reduction?




don't forget, they also claimed that the 25% reduction only had a 50% chance of working. By my math, a 31% reduction is simply a slightly better chance of getting any rebound at all.

That's exactly what Mike said !

You think charter guys that want 2 fish don't care about the bass ? Why does everything have to be such an extreme??
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I did not say they do not care about the bass. They care about them so much they want to kill twice as many (haha)I just think they would rather make a buck now on their meat rather than err on the side of conservation.

Tell me where that statement is flawed
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If so many fish are being sold in back door of restaurants as so many hwre are suggesting goes on i find it amazing in this day and age with everyone with a cell phone and taking video I've yet to see someone post a video
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Not too many videos of drivers sleeping in their plow truck either Ron. That must mean it doesn't happen.
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So what you are really saying is that you don't like the ASMFC's determination that a 25% reduction is warranted and you want a 31% reduction?

How do you feel about NY's proposal which will allow two fish for everyone?

What I am really saying is exactly what I wrote. Don't try to interpret,comprehension is what you need to work on.

NY.?
Haha GayRod
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I did not say they do not care about the bass. They care about them so much they want to kill twice as many (haha)I just think they would rather make a buck now on their meat rather than err on the side of conservation.

Tell me where that statement is flawed
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There are different levels of concern based on one's interpretation of the urgency of the situation. Some people base their decisions on the whole picture and not just one, completely pessimistic analysis of it. It's not the charters are not concerned about the striped bass. To fish at 33 inches is a 25% reduction in their minds and in mine.
It's kind a like hating on the guy that doesn't drive a Prius because you don't really need a big car and you can drive a Prius . It's an inconvenient truth.
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Not too many videos of drivers sleeping in their plow truck either Ron. That must mean it doesn't happen.
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Chris
You're missing the point.
If some say that's what goes on and see it in person, film it on your phone and post it.
And if you want to film y trucks I'm at exit 8 on rt 95 every storm.
I take my orders from Ma. DOT supervisors when its time to rest.
If you want I'll even put you in touch the MA DOT if you have some equipment to be hired.
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There are different levels of concern based on one's interpretation of the urgency of the situation. Some people base their decisions on the whole picture and not just one, completely pessimistic analysis of it. It's not the charters are not concerned about the striped bass. To fish at 33 inches is a 25% reduction in their minds and in mine.


It's kind a like hating on the guy that doesn't drive a Prius because you don't really need a big car and you can drive a Prius . It's an inconvenient truth.
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You already admitted you can't catch fish so your equivalency is probably very high. 😬
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Chris
You're missing the point.
If some say that's what goes on and see it in person, film it on your phone and post it.
And if you want to film y trucks I'm at exit 8 on rt 95 every storm.
I take my orders from Ma. DOT supervisors when its time to rest.
If you want I'll even put you in touch the MA DOT if you have some equipment to be hired.
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So....
What point did I miss?
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You already admitted you can't catch fish so your equivalency is probably very high. 😬
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I'm listening to how you guys have been catching for the last few years it sounds like 2 @ 33 would be 100% reduction. You should go for that . 😬
I think there's a lot of hypocrisy going on here to be honest.
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There are different levels of concern based on one's interpretation of the urgency of the situation. Some people base their decisions on the whole picture and not just one, completely pessimistic analysis of it. It's not the charters are not concerned about the striped bass. To fish at 33 inches is a 25% reduction in their minds and in mine.
It's kind a like hating on the guy that doesn't drive a Prius because you don't really need a big car and you can drive a Prius . It's an inconvenient truth.
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My guess is I see a lot more of the whole picture than you do. Maybe not...I don't begrudge any body from trying to grab as much as they can. Seems like the way of the (third) world nowadays. Discussian can be enlightening for those with an open mind. My experiences are not based on one harbor , seldom does a season go by when I have not fished from NY to ME for bass. I know they are there, i also know they are in decline
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Just having a little fun with you Buckman.
For years fishing was almost a no brainer at many spots.
Drag wire, catch fish. But the last few years you have to work a little harder at it, adapt to different methods. Vertical jig, live line, eels, varying it up a bit.
At the race, especially after mid July they can be difficult to find. Wasn't always that way. Mid summer at Billingsgate is just about boat less now. The Elizabeth islands used to be almost a lock all summer. Not so much the last few seasons. Something is up and who knows for sure what it is.
You can probably gleen from anything I posted that I don't buy the science line. A 50% chance is a coin toss.
I trust my eyes and those of a lot of people I know that have been out there a very long time. Been through this once and it would really suck to do it again.

What harm can come from a very conservative approach ?
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If you don't buy the 25% science how can you buy the 31% science?
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Don't buy either if it's going to be what amounts to a guess.
It reminds me of the imaginary numbers concept from grade school. A simple one size fits all is probably easier to get real data from anyway.
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We know that public comment is extended until February 26th then why is it that RISAA is going to forward the public comment after or during the fishing show which is Feb 27,28 Mar 1st..
Below is a cut and paste of part of the RISAA link above (monkey survey)
Public Input at the fishing show will be available by signing either of two sheets, representing the two options. This will also be brought forward to the R.I. Marine Fisheries Council.
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So....
What point did I miss?
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1, If you want to come take pictures or film of us sleeping in my truck you're more than welcome. I posted where we stage when not in the act of plowing Not breaking any laws. It's part of the gig. We sleep/rest when we are told to by dot foremen. Typically when storm is in a lull or when been at it for 12-24 hrs and sleep is necessary.
2, Everyone here knows selling fish on the black market is illegal. More than a few here are suggesting charter captains do it and have seen with their own eyes, they they say a call to the EPOs is a waste of time. I say if they see it, film it and post away.

Just having a little fun with you Buckman.
For years fishing was almost a no brainer at many spots.
Drag wire, catch fish. But the last few years you have to work a little harder at it, adapt to different methods. Vertical jig, live line, eels, varying it up a bit.
At the race, especially after mid July they can be difficult to find. Wasn't always that way. Mid summer at Billingsgate is just about boat less now. The Elizabeth islands used to be almost a lock all summer. Not so much the last few seasons. Something is up and who knows for sure what it is.
You can probably gleen from anything I posted that I don't buy the science line. A 50% chance is a coin toss.
I trust my eyes and those of a lot of people I know that have been out there a very long time. Been through this once and it would really suck to do it again.

What harm can come from a very conservative approach ?
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I absolutely appreciate your points .
Fisheries do change over time.
Hell we used to tunafish with hand lines and 400 pound mono.
The fish have gotten smarter, the bait has moved and the ecosystem has changed.
I'm not really a gambling man so I usually error on the side of caution.
But that caution runs both ways.
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Apropos of nothing.
Regarding gambling, by W C Fields.
"Horse sense is the thing that a horse has that keeps it from betting on people."

Ain't that the truth!
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why 1 at 28? thanks these guys and yes they are fishing from the shore where 80% of the fish are killed! boat captains? well sorry hope more guys from the shore are not like this; and this is not even the canal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98iXOoeOhSk&feature=youtu.be

look in the rocks! 1,2,3, and 3 on the shore with one fishermen and yes they threw 1 32 back so 7 fish one guy.

We know that public comment is extended until February 26th then why is it that RISAA is going to forward the public comment after or during the fishing show which is Feb 27,28 Mar 1st..
Below is a cut and paste of part of the RISAA link above (monkey survey)
Public Input at the fishing show will be available by signing either of two sheets, representing the two options. This will also be brought forward to the R.I. Marine Fisheries Council.
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the RI Marine Fisheries Council Meets on March 6th I believe to make the final decision...that would give them time to modify their official stance again

1, If you want to come take pictures or film of us sleeping in my truck you're more than welcome. I posted where we stage when not in the act of plowing Not breaking any laws. It's part of the gig. We sleep/rest when we are told to by dot foremen. Typically when storm is in a lull or when been at it for 12-24 hrs and sleep is necessary.
2, Everyone here knows selling fish on the black market is illegal. More than a few here are suggesting charter captains do it and have seen with their own eyes, they they say a call to the EPOs is a waste of time. I say if they see it, film it and post away.

Ron, I could care less where and when you sleep. I know it's not as easy as people think. My point is that just because you have not seen a video of fish being sold through back doors it does not mean that it does not happen. I know this because I have seen it first hand,even participated on occasion. Very common practice in certain areas actually. If you want to take videos send me a pm and I will tell you where to set up your sting.
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Wonder where this guy charters out of?:laughs:


why 1 at 28? thanks these guys and yes they are fishing from the shore where 80% of the fish are killed! boat captains? well sorry hope more guys from the shore are not like this; and this is not even the canal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98iXOoeOhSk&feature=youtu.be

look in the rocks! 1,2,3, and 3 on the shore with one fishermen and yes they threw 1 32 back so 7 fish one guy.

Those undocumented, non working, urban anglers don't give a $hit about any governance. Amerryka bean berry berry good to me. Give me more gringos.

The ccc on the other hand has some kind of Bermuda triangle thing going on.
Laws of morality don't exist there. Place brings out the worst in a lot of people.
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I was at the inaugural meeting of the new CT RFA chapter last night. CT DEEP Fisheries Dave Simpson gave a presentation about striped bass and he was about 99% sure that CT will go with 1@28" across the board. He also went on to state that the Captain and mate may fish for a legal limit as long as they possess a CT recreational license. FYI, there is no commercial striped bass fishery in CT.
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why not kill them all? things came back pretty good after the last crash

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/sun-investigates/bs-md-tilghman-island-20150221-story.html#page=1

Evidently when the entire community poaches for so long they view the very best poachers as heros. They are holding the guys job as fire chief!
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It is funny reading the quotes and the way they try to justify it. Pathetic.
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Two things from the article really sums it up:

"Hayden had 13 offenses since 1995, including several citations for illegally set gill nets; his average fine was $149, the equivalent of the wholesale price of about 10 average-sized rockfish. Lednum had eight offenses since 1995 with an average fine of $80."

"It's just a fish"

Why do they still have license to fish commercially with this number of violations and it was 20,000 pounds of fish in one case.

Justified jail time. They should take all of his gear, boats,permits, etc...
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And make him eat poached bass every meal while in jail.
That'll learn him ! 😝
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It's official. RISAA has changed it's position based on a survey of its members. Kudos to the RISAA board.

E mail received today:

Peter Duhamel:

In accordance with the published process for the submission of written comments for proposed changes to Rhode Island regulations at the RIDEM public hearing held on February 10, 2015, in such that comments must be submitted by February 26, 2015, please accept and record this letter as an official submission to the public hearing, specifically under the topic of "Recreational Striped Bass."

The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association is hereby going on record in support of Option #1: One fish per angler with a 28 inch minimum size.

Formal letter attached.

Thank you,

Stephen Medeiros, President
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
P.O. Box 1,
465, Coventry, RI 02816
office: 401-826-2121
http://www.risaa.org

The result will ultimately lead to more fish for everyone
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It's official. RISAA has changed it's position based on a survey of its members. Kudos to the RISAA board.

E mail received today:

Peter Duhamel:

In accordance with the published process for the submission of written comments for proposed changes to Rhode Island regulations at the RIDEM public hearing held on February 10, 2015, in such that comments must be submitted by February 26, 2015, please accept and record this letter as an official submission to the public hearing, specifically under the topic of "Recreational Striped Bass."

The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association is hereby going on record in support of Option #1: One fish per angler with a 28 inch minimum size.

Formal letter attached.

Thank you,

Stephen Medeiros, President
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
P.O. Box 1,
465, Coventry, RI 02816
office: 401-826-2121
http://www.risaa.org

Yeah they.look like the heros, another mind Game by Steve, what a tool...
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We (the stellwagen bank charter boat assn.) are asking for a 2 fish@33" limit on for hire trips with charters on board

2 fish per passenger and 2 fish each capt and crew?

rockdoc

right on Capt Dave Peros!

First off, let me admit up front that I prefer to call myself a "fishing guide" rather than a "charter captain" because my approach to taking folks out is to educate them about fishing and emphasize catch-and-release. I would say of the 125 to 150 trips I take a year, about six to ten fish are kept overall. I might practice strictly catch and release myself when fishing, but there is no place on my boat for browbeating an angler who wants to take a single fish for the table - and hopefully not an exceptionally large female fish that is far more important live than dead.
When I went into business, I elected to go small in terms of my boat and emphasize light tackle casting and fly fishing catch-and-release because I believed that would be a sustainable approach. It is really aggravating to listen to charter captains, who through their "keep the max each and every trip" have contributed to the stock problems we are facing, whine about needing more dead fish to stay in business. I have had some heated discussions with charter captains I know about the double dip of chartering and commercial fishing on the same day and have often wondered what everyone's take is on this being a legal activity in Massachusetts. I make a living through guiding and certainly not a killing, but I have never been able to figure out the logic of captains who say that being able to make an additional buck on commercial days by selling excess fish is necessary, when they are already picking up a pay check for a charter!
It is like "deja vu all over again" when I listen to charter captains, whether it is arguing that there are still plenty of bass out there, they have moved, they are in the EEZ, etc., or that they deserve a bigger share because they are in the business of catching fish. I see their "blindness" mirrored in the complaints offered up by the ground fish fleet that couldn't see beyond the tip of their noses and the dollars in their wallets and now have the audacity to try and blame others for their greed or say there is no problem because they have managed to find a limited aggregation of fish in a small geographical area when there should be fish everywhere. I will agree that the fisheries' management and science has been woefully inadequate and contributed to the problem, but ultimately fishermen are guilty of creating their own messes. We like to romanticize the commercial and charter fisherman, but doing so let's too many of them off the hook for painting themselves in a corner.
I am fortunate to fish each year with anglers who share my values and hopefully will return if they are happy with the "job" I am doing, but if my business is negatively impacted by the greed and short sighted approach of other charter captains, so-called "commercial" striped bass anglers in Massachusetts, and recreational anglers who feel it is OK to kill their limit each and every time they fish, be assured that the government won't be coming to bail me out as they have done with the commercial ground fish fleet. Tackle shops, tackle manufacturers, and other businesses that will suffer if folks can't come and enjoy a healthy, vibrant fishery. But here we are with certain groups of charter captains asking for a "bail out" that isn't an option for anglers who aren't responsible for the mess we are in.
What's saddest for me is to see some of the newer generation of captains here on the Cape posting glory photos on their websites of piles of dead bass, just as it was done in the past. Never in my wildest imagination did I believe we would have made it to this point with striped bass after having gone through the collapse that we saw just three decades ago. I don't hear as well as I once did and I wonder if it is getting worse by the day when I actually hear the same kind of statements that were bandied about during the last collapse.
But here we are again with some folks asking for special dispensation so they can kill more fish and government institutions are doing everything to accommodate them through games such as "conservation equivalency", while casting a blind eye towards what their own technical committee and studies are showing. In the end, I guess it's true what they say: "Insanity is repeating the same actions and expecting different results."

2 fish per passenger and 2 fish each capt and crew?

rockdoc

per passenger.