all these big fish being caught- - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Nebe · 07-21-2008, 08:21 AM

Imagine if fish like this were more plentiful. I keep thinking about how successful the redfish fishery is down south- you can keep one small one, or a huge one and everything inbetween goes back, plus there is no comercial sales of them.. Huge ones are not uncommon because there are so many fish in the 'must release' stocks that they can breed, and grow to be trophies..

Just a thought-

JFigliuolo · 07-21-2008, 08:24 AM

I lived down south before the rebound. It's been amazing since. I'd like to see the same regs for bass up here. I'm a big fan of a slot limit.

JohnR · 07-21-2008, 08:32 AM

Just a thought, IMO there should be a reduction in both recreational and commercial fish takes and an emphasis on protecting the bait. That last part is somewhat being done (herring and menhaden) and hopefully the forage will come back.

The next step is to see where the current regs on Bass go. If that biomas drops, the triggers should kick in with a reduction on the fisheries.

I'm most concerned with missing year classes. How many schoolie range sizes seem to be missing?

Nebe · 07-21-2008, 09:15 AM

I saadlly think that 2 at 28 is going to be very hard to change- lets face it.. the rec fishery is corrupt, as there are so many recreational fishermen who are making money off of these fish.. How do we convince charter captians that a dead fish is worth less than a fish that is alive?? For example a charter of 4, plus a captian and 2 mates goes out and the boat comes back with 14 fish.. the extra fish gets sold at market, the paying people take home their fish.. its a system not of enjoyment, but of paybacks, be it food or money..

the definition of recreation should be looked up by anyone who profits off of this fishery- lure makers, lecturers, writers,charter captains, tackleshop owners.. These are the people who should realize the most that the overall health of the stocks should not be taken for granted.
Sadly when there is a run of large fish like what seems to be happening now, there is a gold rush of sorts to seek and destroy the largest one. jealousy, greed, insecurity all play great rolls when big fish are around, but in rare #'s....

again just a thought. I do not view the killing of the 75 from block island as a bad thing, but what I do view it as is a warning sign, and would only hope that more people grasp the reality of the fact that there could be more of these fish if the regs were changed in the bass's favor...

I agree with you john, protect the bait.. but I dont agree with the way RISAA tried to protect it.. if your going to protect it, protect it... no 'fish grabs'....

likwid · 07-21-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

I saadlly think that 2 at 28 is going to be very hard to change- lets face it.. the rec fishery is corrupt, as there are so many recreational fishermen who are making money off of these fish.. How do we convince charter captians that a dead fish is worth less than a fish that is alive?? For example a charter of 4, plus a captian and 2 mates goes out and the boat comes back with 14 fish.. the extra fish gets sold at market, the paying people take home their fish.. its a system not of enjoyment, but of paybacks, be it food or money..

You don't.
They have their minds set.

I'm sure at least one comm will come on this thread and blow up about how everything is fine and dandy.

The world needs more charter captains like Terry who embrace catch and release for the most part.

Nebe · 07-21-2008, 09:27 AM

There is a saying I like- 'A penny wise and a Pound foolish' Its British, so the translation is 'a penny wise and a dollar foolish'.. The recreational and commercial fishermen who are making $$ from killing bass now are only fooling themselves...

likwid · 07-21-2008, 09:31 AM

Blinders.

PaulS · 07-21-2008, 09:31 AM

The way I look at it is that I have a $1,000 of gear with me. I'd rather spend $20 for some fish in the store, release what I have at the end of my line and catch it again. It wouldn't bother me if they banned ANY keeping of SB.

RIROCKHOUND · 07-21-2008, 10:35 AM

I still have no problem with some commercial take.
it is vastly smaller than rec.

1 fish 36" is my new mantra.
But your right; a lot of the rec community has a hard time catching 36" fish, so they like 2@28!

John; F- SB stickers, lets get one that says 1 @ 36"

lurch · 07-21-2008, 10:41 AM

my understanding is that there is a TON of bait around so with the natural order of things that would tell me that there are less predators to keep the bait in check. I am no expert but is this a sign that the SB stock is in decline?

Brian L · 07-22-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

I still have no problem with some commercial take.
it is vastly smaller than rec.

1 fish 36" is my new mantra.
But your right; a lot of the rec community has a hard time catching 36" fish, so they like 2@28!

John; F- SB stickers, lets get one that says 1 @ 36"

I like 2 @ 28 much better. I've had no problem getting the 36's, it's just that the 28's have better texture, taste better, and are a nicer eating size than the 36's. I'll release bigger fish to be able to keep smaller ones if I'm fishing solely for the dinner table. So, I can't join you in that campaign, unfortunately.

Unless I'm lucky, I get out once, maybe twice a week. I like having two fish in the fridge per week, personally. Some for the grill, some to share with family and friends who enjoy fish, yet don't get the opportunity to go fishing like most of us do.

Agreed completely w-r-t the comm vs. rec take.

striperman36 · 07-22-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

I still have no problem with some commercial take.
it is vastly smaller than rec.

1 fish 36" is my new mantra.
But your right; a lot of the rec community has a hard time catching 36" fish, so they like 2@28!

John; F- SB stickers, lets get one that says 1 @ 36"

That's why I have a 36 at the end of my handle on this site.
The commercial quota in Mass in 1+ million lbs and exceeded that every year since 2004
, I am not sure there is even 1000 permits sold, alot of fish in a small number of peoples hands.

Nebe · 07-21-2008, 11:08 AM

Amen Paul!!

Grapenuts · 07-21-2008, 11:45 AM

Define "gamefish status"...one must be carefull with these two words...you'll have peta joining in ..

I totally agree on the charter boats...no selling of any extra fish period.Back in the water they go.Alive.

I'm on the fence about comm.'s...it's the turd's that don't play by the rules..when caught...they should be stripped of everything/gear/boat/ and no more lisc. for 99 years.

Brian L · 07-22-2008, 08:10 AM

Bycatch is bad for everyone except the crabs and lobsters. :^)

There's no way anyone can tell me that their recreational success is directly related to commercial takes. There just can't be that big of a dent put in them by hook and line comms to wipe out a population. Looks like some of the numbers that guys have posted supports that.

The real shame in the bycatch is that the killed fish aren't used by anyone.

Brian L · 07-22-2008, 05:41 PM

Stricter even though there's more fish? Because?

Goose · 07-22-2008, 06:01 PM

Many years ago the first settlers almost wiped out the deer, they brought the #'ers way way down for trade. So they said no deer hunting for a long time. now thanks to sportsman and laws the deer herd is bigger then when settlers first came here. Now they kill some crazy number of deer every year. Thank you Killers. Biologist can't count in the woods or water but they do know that once pressure is put on fish or deer the schools and herds move.

IMO...most of these response aren't worth much because they are made with your hearts and not with your minds. personely I beleive there is a place for comm and as of now we/they(comm) are a big part of keeping a heathy balance just like the deer hunter.

Nebe · 07-22-2008, 08:56 PM

greed, ego, ignorance, competitiveness, and a dash of excitement Mr. Krinkle.. thats why.