DZ, Is right, Rhode Island has roots that run deep in the sale of black market bass.

Many Many fisherman sell there catch on the black market in Rhody, some would surprise you,Its the lure of the money.I used to sell my bass to some well Known Japanese restarants all over the state and, ten years ago they were paying me $3.50 a Lb.There was good money to be made for a nights fishing,I never sold undersize bass. Some places I sold to never advertise the fish as striped bass, they used it in any fish dish.At one point almost everyone I knew was doing it. We also used to sell fresh Bluefish on broad street in providence,they would go like hotcakes! At $10.00 bucks a piece.Load to coolers the night before when there were unreal Blitzes at watch hill,ice them down and make $100.0 bucks a piece the next day out the back of the truck.

Oh, Ya, I DO NOT do this anymore and have not in a while,and wont ever again.I mention it because the guys that taught me to fish and that I fished with, did it.It was just a common thing . It was also accepted and not frowned upon like it is now. It still goes on however,and you might be surprisd at who is doing it.

Tim told me the other day that striper is selling for $9.99Lb In a fish market in falmouth,The comms are getting paid a $1.75 If there lucky,what a profit!!!


"Eat what you Catch"

BP,

Does it cost anything to get a "Striped Bass Endorsement" or is it something you just ask for when you pay for the Commercial Rod & Reel license.

If it does cost money for the endorsement, then why get it if you don't sell any stripers commercially anyway (as of your writing)?

Mike

Hey Crafty - I didn't see your post but I'll pm you. Yeh, knee is a little better but too much rocks and walking is still a little tough on it.... Yep - I'm interested though....



a=40 fish per day 3 days per weekduring season - too much IMO. Economically, that many fish at once just floods the market and makes a lousy price anyway. And a LOT of guys are getting their limits too.
b= Something like 25 bucks above the basic comm license

c= Toss it over board (or sneak it in & sell to a restaraunt)

d= Too many fish are wasted in every state, not just mass

e= Huge, yes these are a lot of the breeders being taken out of the mix. However, most other state fisheries with a sizeable quota are "supposed" to be made up of smaller fish. Some culling out of the larger fish can still be maintained. But bad things happened, who all heard about the problems in VA with the locals taking huge quantities of BIG fish instead of the smaller fish they are traditionally allocated.

Bill - back then, a lot of people were doing that. Some still do today unfortunately. Hey, if it was legal AND there were plenty to go around, I might consider it too. But things will likely never get like that again to allow that (and should never too IMO)