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Crafty Angler · 07-13-2008, 11:43 AM

[QUOTE=RIROCKHOUND;604551]I agree, by-catch is a problem, draggers are a problem, but we (rec anglers) have to look in the mirror too!!! We land a lot more than the commercial (I understand landings do not include by-catch!) but rec landings do not count ~8% release mortality on C/R fish. And you can argue that your release mortality is lower, but go watch some average jamoke releasing a fish; it is often not done quickly or easily, with little wear on the fish especially with a 2 or 3 treble hook plug. I bet it averages out close to the 8% I remember reading somewhere.
[QUOTE]

Thanks Bry - you beat me to the punch and saved me the typing - well said.

You know, I can't say I was crazy about the SW license deal but (hopefully) it's great benefit will be to give us all better info on catch rates from the recreational sector during their surveys and institute measures to ensure the continuing health of the fishery. It remains to be seen whether that will come to pass from NMFS or not.

All of this musty stuff I like to shuffle through on 19th and early 20th century club records and catch rates always seems to repeat the same tune. Periods of phenomenal fishing for bass always seem to be followed by a precipitous stock crash. Cause and effect may be hard to establish, but increased catch rates on both sides of the fence are certainly part of it. Sure, other factors are involved too but it's way too obvious to be discounted.

Perhaps when the info is in we'll meet the enemy only to find it is us -that is to say, not the crowd gathered here but the recs who are tonging fish just for the slap on the back from the boys and not their value as damn good table fare put to good use.

Bry, I've gotta get in touch with Dr O'Nitis to see how survey info is used - and I can bait him with the 1861 Agassiz book he wants to borrow from my archives

07-13-2008, 11:43 AM	#11
Crafty Angler Geezer Gone Wild iTrader: (2) Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,397 Blog Entries: 2	[QUOTE=RIROCKHOUND;604551]I agree, by-catch is a problem, draggers are a problem, but we (rec anglers) have to look in the mirror too!!! We land a lot more than the commercial (I understand landings do not include by-catch!) but rec landings do not count ~8% release mortality on C/R fish. And you can argue that your release mortality is lower, but go watch some average jamoke releasing a fish; it is often not done quickly or easily, with little wear on the fish especially with a 2 or 3 treble hook plug. I bet it averages out close to the 8% I remember reading somewhere. [QUOTE] Thanks Bry - you beat me to the punch and saved me the typing - well said. You know, I can't say I was crazy about the SW license deal but (hopefully) it's great benefit will be to give us all better info on catch rates from the recreational sector during their surveys and institute measures to ensure the continuing health of the fishery. It remains to be seen whether that will come to pass from NMFS or not. All of this musty stuff I like to shuffle through on 19th and early 20th century club records and catch rates always seems to repeat the same tune. Periods of phenomenal fishing for bass always seem to be followed by a precipitous stock crash. Cause and effect may be hard to establish, but increased catch rates on both sides of the fence are certainly part of it. Sure, other factors are involved too but it's way too obvious to be discounted. Perhaps when the info is in we'll meet the enemy only to find it is us -that is to say, not the crowd gathered here but the recs who are tonging fish just for the slap on the back from the boys and not their value as damn good table fare put to good use. Bry, I've gotta get in touch with Dr O'Nitis to see how survey info is used - and I can bait him with the 1861 Agassiz book he wants to borrow from my archives
	"There is no royal road to this heavy surf-fishing. With all the appliances for comfort experience can suggest, there is a certain amount of hard work to be done and exposure to be bourne as a part of the price of success." From "Striped Bass," Scribner's Magazine, 1881.