Treble for scup,j hook for bunker.

The sad part of the truth that always seems to be forgotten by comms is that it takes 100,000 sportfishermen to land what 1000 commercials do. MMMMMMI don't see an awful lot of people landing fish rod n reel especially from shore and I kinda spend a load of time out there fishing from Maine to New York.My overall catch numbers are so far down from 10 yrs ago that it's insane.we do all share in the affect but the focused damage that a few comms do with high grading is way more than any rec can ever acheive.Cull n release is still dead fish,by-catch is still dead fish and rec kill due to lack of knowing the proper way to release is still dead fish.Through all this I never see or hear of a comm pushing for lower catch just want more n more.I kept 5 fish last yr.Thats not 1 percent of what I landed.Every commercial rod n reeler I know still wants more. MMMMMMM. Think about that Mike n Mike. Like I said on another post if each of us killed 10 percent less there would be one heck of a lot of new breeders in a couple yrs.

That's the difference between you and me... I'm not one to unquestionably "fall in line" with what the government tells me is the correct action.

You can make ad hominem attacks all you want, it will only reflect poorly on you.

Ron--I'm not taking a position for or against commercial fishing in the abstract. What I'm saying is that if a commercial fishery is to exist, it should be limited to legitimate commercial fishermen.

And, with all due respect---if you don't see the waste in the rec fishery, you're not looking in the right places. You don't see the same 30 guys taking 2 40" plus fish off the Canal every plugging tide all year. There is absoultely no need for guys to take two fish in the 25-30 pound range every day for a whole set of tides. Freindships have been strained by a few of us calling people we know out on that senselessness. You don't see the guys day after day with two breeders bungee corded to their bike baskets, just because the law says they can take 2 fish. You don't see the absolute slaughter in NJ every May when the adult pogies are running tight to the beach---the sharpies there tell me than any guy with a snag hook can look like a pro. You don't see the absolute slaughter on the really big "citation" fish when they're stacked up every winter off the Virginia coast, when every charter guy from every port within range is running a 6-pack out there, and guys from the northeast are trailering their rigs down there. A lot fo that is taking place in the EEZ, and there isn't much that can be done to stop it, since they have bird dogs on the radio putting out the word when the USCG heads out there.That fishery didn't exist 15 years ago. I know that you do see people coming to the Derby weigh-in with fish that don't have a prayer of winning a daily, just so they have a shot at a Mystery prize. And winning a daily for what---a hat pin and a $20 check? People love to knock the OTW torunament as bad, but the same people have no problem with the MV Derby. A dead bass is a dead bass no matter where it's killed. I'm sure that you still make an effort to win the Grand Slam every Derby.

We are all to blame, and we need to clean our own houses before we point fingers at the other guys.

It would be a sad day if you could not take your kid fishing for stripers because we were reserving them for work rather than pleasure.

He means the commercial fishery.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Awesome post!!!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I see a lot of griping about what's being done, but no suggestions for what would be better.

It's like every time they try to cut a government program, the people getting the money say "This is just a tiny part of the budget, and cutting this won't close the deficit." Yeah, true, but you have to start somewhere. Circle hooks are a great idea. If it saves one percent of hooked fish, that's great. We can improve from there. B*tching and moaning never solved a problem.

Thanks for the clarification...

So where do w go from here. Who wants to take the next step---Ron Striper Maine-iac------I'm visiting Steve for those that wonder

Geeez,

I have always hated that arguement about reserving the comm bass to just true comm fisherman, it just doesn't hold water in my mind. I know there are several people who think this way. It is the one comm fishery reserved for the rod and reel style fishing.

Ask yourself this.....
- I hope none of you are growing tomotoes in your back yard and selling them in a basket on the sidewallk putting all the real farmers out of business.
- Shame on you guys who paint your own house....your putting all the comm painters out of work.
- Only true snowplow drivers should be snowplowing if you make 50% of your income from plowing.
- I guess I am a bad man......I repiped my hot water heater myself instead of calling a licensed plummer. Wonder how many guys I put out of work.
- Come to think of it, I going to sand and paint the bottom of my boat again. I know I really should be calling the comm "pros" at the marina down the street to do it. I feel guilty, maybe I'll make it up to them and take them to lunch.

I could go on all day with this.......but I'll stop here......:smash:

x100 Jon. Guess I'm guilty too... I'm one of those "not a real commercial" fisherman. 50+ years pin hooking paid my way through school, paid the dpmt. on my house; paid (part of) my sons exorbitant tuition, etc, etc.
Little did I know that I should have been pumping gas p.t. all these years to make it easier for those who can't catch. Probably would have been a lot easier for me too...no getting up @ 0 dark 30 to pull the gills nets, could have been internet fishing on the couch instead of beating myself on those rough days, could have spent my 5 weeks vacation traveling with the wife instead of.....................never mind.

Most of these don't even apply...

How long do we go on saying it? The gods who make the laws are starting to listen but it may be too late. Those of us who lived through "No Bass" in the mid-80 to the early 90s see it happening again.

When the hell will they listen and make it 1 fish 36"? Never probably.:wall:

Johnny, don't want to totally hyjack this thread for it did get off topic a way back but I guess we just have to agree to disagree. They very much apply. You say "personal use" for me sure. But someone who is comm at anything is doing this job for thier "personal" use too. Making money for thier "personal" bank account.

When you say on some of my items does anyone actually do this or can it be done. You answered my question. To flip it around how many true comm fish guys pounds nails in the winter, plow snow etc.

Whatever your profession, thier are always guys doing side jobs to get ahead. Have known a few fireman that build houses on the side. Should they leave this for the true building contractor.

Give me a good reason to reserve any one job for just any one group of you have the skill, license and/or qualification.

Good ole free enterprise and american capitalism at work!

BOT....I don't like circle hooks either. :-)

Well what's better circle hooks or no stripers. MMMMMMM From the sound of some as long as they don't have to give up anything it's ok for everyone else to give up something. Small steps are better than none at all but some still want it all.

I would rather watch the Commercial Massachusetts Striper Industry harvest its next "righteous quota" of 1.1 million pounds in 2011 under the new Maine hook law. Maybe there will be a lesser mortality in their chunk/live bait fleet while they are actively culling their catch for the daily weigh scales. Oops, I forgot...they don't cull because its against the law.

"while they are actively culling their catch for the daily weigh scales. Oops, I forgot...they don't cull because its against the law"

Right.... we all start culling our catch right after we get that first 30. Classic.

What about the Sunday "only 5" day? Classic.

Well since it is illegal to cull, if you see/know someone who is risking their permit, boat, etc. to upgrade by a few pounds I suggest you drop a dime.....or would you rather just BS on the web. I refrained at first from saying "Classic No Nothing Internet Fisherman" ...this time I won't.

Sok: You're right; I'd rather not BS on the web; guess I'm just hangin' a little light until our season starts. I have made those phone calls, twice last year for issues far more significant than a culling. The official interrogation and non response I rec'd tells me that the industry is safe; however, IMO the resouce isn't. First time I've been accused of being a "No Nothing...". I think you really meant "Know Nothing".

Bonds for now SK.

Correct...I did mean "Know Nothing".....but that's neither here nor their/they're/there....just thought you were being a little "sour" in your generalization of commercial fishermen...sorry for the insult.:buds: Hear's/here's hoping for a good season for the both of us....dry waders for you and a good price for me!:fishin: