What do you think size and posession limits will be this year ?
 

for recreation fishermen in Massachusetts this coming season ?

still 2 at 28 " ?

1 @22"-26" with another over 40" (or 45") ?
1 over 36"?

Just curious what you guys think it will be this coming season.

I'd personally like it to be 1 @34"

I'd like to see a Maine-style single slot fish. That would greatly improve the chance of catching a keeper from shore, which I have not done in a long time.

1 fish at 36" coast wide.
Mortality will drop a lot more than if a 20-26" slot is implemented.

1 fish at 36" coast wide would work for me.

Got my vote.:uhuh:

mortality drops, but probability of killing egg laying females goes up exponentially.
I'd like a small slot and abillity to take trophy of 50 inches or more
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2 at 28" was the worst thing they could have done! It just promotes gluttony! Unscrupulous people will always take the 2 fish which is their right if that is the law......but does anyone really need 2 fish a day?? 1 at 34 would be ideal and responsible!

My vote too,,,

Me too...

1...For 2010 I predict we will remain at 2 fish over 28"

2...I also predict that during 2010 we will be presented with good science that dictates a mortality cut as is required in the management plan and that reduction will be to 1 fish over 28" for 2011.

(((((("1 @22"-26" with another over 40" (or 45")"))))))

I think this slot limit is the worst of them all when it comes to mortality. The science from Maine clearly shows that when this slot went into effect the fishing mortality rose significantly.

If this slot was installed in MA the predicted mortality calculations will cause a total redistribution of all harvest coastwide. The one model I have actually read some graphs from actually results in a season and something much stricter than 1 at 28"

There are at least two theories that this slot has contributed to the lack of Stripers along the coast of Maine. Of course there are other contributing factors as well.

1 over 36"?

Just curious what you guys think it will be this coming season.

1 at 36" is wishful thinking.
1 at 28" would be fine.

I have always stated that I am adament about 1 fish 36".

It worked when we had it in 92 right after the moritorium, why not now?

If you can't catch a fish 36" or more, you shouldn't be keeping anything. Just my opinion.

Patrick,
Do you still have that science and data pool from Maine? I'd like to see it. Seems very interesting. I agree with you that 2 @ 28" will be the law. Personally I'd like to see 1 @36" or greater.

Keep in mind that under ASMFC rules a state can have less mortality than required by the ASMFC but can't have a greater mortality. If that statement above is correct regarding the slot, and if MA adopts that rule, then the odds are very good that the ASMFC will find MA out-of-compliance and, unless its fixed quickly, they may shut down all striped bass fishing in the state.

If they shut down striped bass fishing in the state, I'll just have to turn into a bluefish fisherman that happens to release a lot of by-catch.

1@ 36, 24, or 28 would be fine. I cant understand for the life of me why anybody would want the smaller slot limit???? It kills way more Fish period. Here in NJ they are pushing for a slot limit for the 2010 season 1 @24-27.99" and 1 at 28" or better. I guess the charter captains started complaining that they dont kill enough fish in the Spring.... We get a nice run of 18-28" fish in Oct, Nov, and Dec. Miles of that class fish. The 160 ft headboats want to go out and be able to jig their client limit of fish, along with most other boats from the NY, NJ area. Also jig all you want with a hundred boats pounding the cape may rips for that slot, because thats whats there, just like clammin the bay March, April, and May.... Definately a bad Idea, sucked before... Guess its never enough..

According to who? The only research I've heard of with regards to the (possible) negative impact of a slot on striped bass is from Maine, which approaches the outskirts of the Striped Bass range.

It seems the only evidence that a slot kills more fish in the long run than will be replaced is anecdotal evidence.

One fish at 36"s, which is the same length that brought back the bass from oblivion. The anecdote I heard about why it was change to two fish at 28"s is because someone who held sway in the state went fishing with his kids and could catch a keeper because the minimum was 36's at the time. That might be BS, but I have never heard anyone say otherwise.

MA will be found out of compliace under that slot...there is no question amongst the state people I have spoken with

I believe it will remain 2 at 28". Id like to see 1 at 36 as well.

That would work for me.

KR...I made a call and cnfirmed a few real numbers jst for you....

In 1997 the State of Maine went from a 33" Minimum Size Limit to the 20-26" Slot. The MRFSS estimates of "Harvest" or "what is kept by anglers" tracked a rise of 1900% and just to make sure no one gets it wrong, the estimate indicated that anglers kept 19 times the number of fish under the slot than the 33" limit. The raw data was 2000 fish kept the last year of 33" and 35000 fish kept (rounded numbers) in the first year of the slot.

Now I must acknowledge that MRFSS has issues but scientists pretty much agree that the issues are with Magnitude (amount of fish) and not percentages such as is estimated in this case.

Bottom line is that if we went to the SF slot in MA the only way the proposed slot will be made to be in compliance with the managment plan is for MA to go to some sort of very short season.

The effects of the slot on future year classes due to huge reoval of pre spawn fish etc need work but all agree the model is frightening.

The SF plan will not work with MA numbers

I think the 1 @ 28 is the right number and I hope we go back to it...I predict this wil happe next year after we get the final poor news on the current concerns with the stock confirmed.

There are WAAAY More 20-26 inch fish, they are Always hungry, and they eat anything. They are in all the rivers, bays, ocean and are Easily accesiblle to anyone. And they eat nearly anything you throw at em...I saw the damage done down here in the springs and falls with the slots. Wiped out resident fish...It takes a few years to see the effects... Your gonna tell me its theres more 20, 30,40, 50 or 60lb class fish around and they are easier to catch??? Comon' I can catch those slots any day, any month.. I can catch now if I wanted to in NJ!

Otherwise! :grins: The 2 at 28 inch limit was adopted initially by the ASMFC's Striped bass management board and then approved by the entire ASMFC. MA like all the other states, only has one vote on the ASMFC.

Well, according to you, you can catch any size any day of the month.

I was curious if there was empirical research behind your statement because the only information I've been able to find about the detriment of slots is mostly hearsay.

There is no denying that there are more 20" fish than there are 20lb fish and more than likely, more numbers of fish will be killed, but that is not the issue at hand.

The principle issue is whether this slot will eventually result in more average females breeding each year.

Basic Patrick,
Thanks. Pretty staggering numbers. I still say ONE fish @36".
Kepp the season open.

Zero. Until a proven plan to bring equilibrium to the system can be determined.

JohnnyD, I never said I can catch any sized striper any month... I Can head out to any warm waterflow outflow in NJ and catch small 20" stripers all winter long...Cant do that with 30-40lbers... The Smaller fish are more accesible to everyone and its really common sense that you will be killing way more fish evrey single day. Its like the ChesapekeBay in November and december. Anglers can go there any single day at any time of the day regardles off the conditions and cast a small jig in the pilings catching all the 18" keeper slot fish they want.... Funny thing is there is less of them every year..

1@36". I practice 100% C & R anyway. How about size limits for internet fishing site pictures? LOL, But i think that drives some people to keep instead of release.