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I started my reply this morning and maybe I'll finnish it tonight
I agree that as a group(s), we haven't been as focused as we should be and I agree that there should be consistency among all of the states in the regulation of bass (actually most species too). Two systems, one in regards to the coastal states and one for the producer states is what is needed. But groups are being too splintered. There also has been a lack of opinion at these meetings. Last year, hardly anyone showed up (including myself – ill at the time) at the Amendment 6 meetings.
My view on what should be done generally pisses everyone off because I’d like to see both com and rec back off their quotas a full third plus major reduction on the forage fish pressure. This won’t help just the bass but other resources as well…
As far as this “common man” crap – I really don’t care about allocating more fish to the “common man” at the expense of another group, whether it’s the superior/elitist anglers like ourselves :P or the “clam tossing tourist”. Protect the fish some more – not the collective asses of this group or that. Get more big fish, get more small fish and allow them to subside on more forage fish in a better environmental setting (like that would ever happen). The people that are fishing striped bass for table fare aren’t doing themselves or their families any good when they go spend 5 smackers on clams and worms to take one or two “Legal Keeper” fish (if they are even respecting current regulations). That 5 bucks would buy far more chicken, ground beef, or rice than 4 tiny bass fillets.
If the “common man” needs to improve his fishing skills in order to be successful in a more protective environment – tough poop. Call it some form of Angling Darwinism. There isn’t going to be a fishery if it keeps crashing. It’ll all be moot. We’ll be distance casting worms 100 yards for a chance at a fluke or scup to keep our obsession in check…
I can’t comment about the success or failure of the slot limit in Jersey or Maine or CT. It’s not much of a slot in Jersey though as there are a lot of Jersey Keepers out there (in what your allowed to keep anyway). So I can’t bitch too much about it as I’m just not up to date on it. Gamefish status? Maybe – but it wouldn’t be necessary if everyone backed off a bit. 36 inch coastwide, rod & reel, no high grading (I’d like to if I had a boat and it was done safely but it just ain’t right, at least right now). No 40 fish bag limits for the Mass Comms and no crazy limits on the little fish for the Chesapeake comms…
Aw dagnabit – I gotta go to work….
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