I'm with frank

[bloocrab]

....disagree to some extent


My father has 10 brothers and sisters
My mother has 9 brothers and sisters
I enjoy eating fish while at the same time, not paying for it...but far greater than that...I love helping those who cannot do what I do, for whatever reason.
It's not only the smile on their faces, but more the fact that they gather weekly in large groups for a fish fry, bake or both, the "old country" way,,,,and of course, they invite ME!!! My family is VERY giving. They are very involved in church functions as well as simply helping others out. They DO go door to door with cooked items to families that they KNOW are less fortunate. If I can contribute in some small way, I'm all for it.
Too many people on here (fishing/boards) are very quick to pass judgment on people who decide to keep their legal limit. Almost as if one should feel guilty about it ....

I will continue to keep my legally allotted limit regardless of what others think or say. I'm not going to beat my chest about how many fish I catch or don't catch, but if the walks not too far, and I'm not too lazy that day....my limit is coming home with me.

I understand that every little bit counts, but we are but a mere splinter in this messed up fisheries management debacle. I have no problem with lowering the limit to 1 fish at whatever size, but stop looking at me like I'm a crook when I take a fish home with me.


OK....stepping off the soap box now....

[djlesco]

if those more fortunate then you would stop being gluttons then those like you wouldn't be stereo typed. I got into an all out fist fight with a guy last year...bag full of stripers mostly shirts about ten of them... He was a little guy but I won by 200 yards
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[djlesco]

you sould fry scup. Its better
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Daignault preaching C&R now is right up there with Michael Vick advocating for animal rights.......... although maybe that is a bit unfair to Vick.

yep...good comparison as well, as they both have dog abuse in their background.

on a side note, C&R = yep, unless they gonna die anyways.

[Doublerunner]

Originally Posted by Paul Bunyan

Forgive me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that last year I hardly saw the words catch and release on here. This year its everywhere. As an example, look at the debate that just happened on how to run a C&R tourney here.
That said, I believe "to each his own", and the people who eat the fish because it helps them financially have every right to eat them. We don't have many rights left.
Those who really care about thier survival will limit thier kill when they can. Another thing, shore and boats, what is the percentage they take vs. commercial? I dont know just a point, especially when you take into account the amount of needless/overkill. I just think now, EVERYONE KNOWS what is going on, thats why its a hot topic

I agree with this 100%. I said so last year and I also complained about Striper Cup and I basically got blasted with the exception of a few agreeing posters. Maybe the people here are seeing what I have been preaching or maybe there's some new blood in here. But I hardly ever come back to this forum after what happened last year. Remember that what is legal is not always right.

If people feel they need to keep every legal size striper they catch then they are gluttons. And then what will you do when the stock collapses? Wouldn't it be better to keep 1 now and help? I hear people say if they change the law to one a day then that is what they will keep. If it stays at 2 a day then that is what they will keep. How about thinking for yourself? From past history the fisheries managements typically don't do enough until it is too late. It's up to the people on the water every day to make a difference

If the fish hit the freezer then you know you are taking too many. For those who say it's only me and what difference does one person make. Well that's basically burying your head in the sand. We all can make a difference. I've written letters and sent emails and made phone calls to politicians and fisheries mgt. It feels like you're beating your head against a wall. Change is slow. People in power have certain arrangements that benefit them. Doing the right thing is the harder thing to do sometimes but boy you will feel so good afterwards

[bloocrab]

To each his own.

[djlesco]

I guess I'm the new blood..i didn't come on here to start the presidential striper bite.. bird did I come on here to find "were are they biting" I came here too learn.. The best learning is getting out there and try diffrent things. I fish to free myself of the daily crap that boggs my mind. Things of which I can't control.. The challenge of hooking a fish any fish is what I live for (even though I fish for only stripers). But thus year I am after it all...
I read about the good ol days and..."five years ago this spot and that spot were great" then I look at my daughter who is two and goes fishing at the beach with me (she's almost three) and I think will she one day make the hour ride to search for the fish that no longer exist???. we need to protect this for or future for or children. Look at the cod fisherie??? You use to be able to get then from shore at the breachway... Try that now ... And where will it stop,? No more stripers, then what bluefish, then black fish, then fluke then scup? Theses fisheries are already suffering and I believe if we don't take a stand now Then my daughter is going to really try to bring her dora pole to mystic aquarium again but this time she'll be 40

Originally Posted by Doublerunner

I agree with this 100%. I said so last year and I also complained about Striper Cup and I basically got blasted with the exception of a few agreeing posters. Maybe the people here are seeing what I have been preaching or maybe there's some new blood in here. But I hardly ever come back to this forum after what happened last year. Remember that what is legal is not always right.

If people feel they need to keep every legal size striper they catch then they are gluttons. And then what will you do when the stock collapses? Wouldn't it be better to keep 1 now and help? I hear people say if they change the law to one a day then that is what they will keep. If it stays at 2 a day then that is what they will keep. How about thinking for yourself? From past history the fisheries managements typically don't do enough until it is too late. It's up to the people on the water every day to make a difference

If the fish hit the freezer then you know you are taking too many. For those who say it's only me and what difference does one person make. Well that's basically burying your head in the sand. We all can make a difference. I've written letters and sent emails and made phone calls to politicians and fisheries mgt. It feels like you're beating your head against a wall. Change is slow. People in power have certain arrangements that benefit them. Doing the right thing is the harder thing to do sometimes but boy you will feel so good afterwards

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Plum Crazy]

bloocrab Well said. I agree 100%.
I get skunked enough times to be grateful for my keepers and I will take my limit when and if I can. Every single one gets eaten and sometimes that is all I have in my freezer. I give to those that love it and cannot fish. When I think I have enough in my freezer then and only then do the keepers go back. That happened early last year. I was very fortunate and many fish went back to swim another day.
The only time I feel guilty is when I happen to gut hook a small fish and I have to send it back dead.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

iguess i am another selfish fisher,i keep between 40 and 60 bass a season to eat.usually try to keep small keepers that are a meal or two.if i happen to keep alarger fish i have enough people that i know who love fish but aren't able to fish that are grateful for some fresh fish. during the season i eat fish at least 3 times a week.in the fall i will freeze some up that i will eat up in a few months.i have fished from the late 50's and have seen many types of sea life come and go.personally i have to say if bass stocks are in trouble,it is because spawning success is down,not that there aren't enough bass out there to spawn. i think even if no bass were allowed to be keep that it wouldn't have any effect on future stocks ,the only differance is there would be lots of big fish till theydie of natural causes.find out why there is a decline in spwaning success and fix the problem if it is man made,but i would say it is more a natural cycle than a man made one

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I'll keep them when I feel like keeping them and I'll release them when I feel like releasing them.


and don't need to feel guilty with either choice

I'm a keep your interpretation of ethics outa my fishing kinda guy myself. If I'm having a good time, don't waltz up and try to spoil it for me. I'm with Dad. I fish within the rules.

[Rob Rockcrawler]

While i dont agree with the 2 @ 28, it is the law and im not going to say anything to people that take their 2 fish. 3 fish, then we have a talk, but 2 is the rule.

[bloocrab]

I have to believe that a lot of those people who are 100% C&R or 99.999 whateva, don't love to eat fish or associate with people who love to eat fish...as much as those of us who feel this way, it doesn't mean that we're not concerned or anti-conservative,...to make a "blanket" statement like,...

...if the fish hit the freezer then you know you are taking too many...

... ...Seriously???

Some people would rather buy their nice and clean fish fillets at the market on the day that they plan on eating it, I don't mind getting my hands dirty, I enjoyed the last bag of striper fillets that I thawed out last month, where's the gluttony in that??...and it's a nice feeling knowing that YOU put food on the table, for yourself and others...literally. I don't know...this is a point-less debate for me. For the most part, on days that I catch my limit and plan on keeping it,,,I catch MUCH more than 2 legal fish...again, not chest pounding, but anyone that can consistently catch fish, knows that on days that you catch...you CATCH..(if that makes any sense)

..not making any personal attacks, sorry if it reads that way...like I said, "to each his own".

[Plum Crazy]

I don't understand what the freezer has to do with anything. I have a foodsaver vacuum sealer. I made a striper casserole last week and when I opened that bag it was just like I put it in there. It was awesome and it brought me back. Nothing like it during the winter months.

[Saltheart]

Originally Posted by Paul Bunyan

Forgive me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that last year I hardly saw the words catch and release on here. This year its everywhere. As an example, look at the debate that just happened on how to run a C&R tourney here.
That said, I believe "to each his own", and the people who eat the fish because it helps them financially have every right to eat them. We don't have many rights left.
Those who really care about thier survival will limit thier kill when they can. Another thing, shore and boats, what is the percentage they take vs. commercial? I dont know just a point, especially when you take into account the amount of needless/overkill. I just think now, EVERYONE KNOWS what is going on, thats why its a hot topic

Look back to when the Striper Cup was first announced and its rules. Read about the stink that we here and on other sites put up to let the organizers know they were being irresponsible with the way the tourney was to be run and the changes in the rules that resulted from the bad press generated primarily here on S-B.com and on SOL at that time.

Many people here have caught several thousand fish in their lives but probably have kept less than a hundred. I personally have seen more undersize fish taken by morons than I have kept in legal fish in my lifetime. C+R is often discussed here but its not something we try to ram down peoples throats. Just fish within the law and people here are OK with it. Now would many of us like to see the laws cahnged to reduce the legal take , of course.

Oh . and as far as FD writing about catch and release, all I can do is roll my eyes.

[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

I have to believe that a lot of those people who are 100% C&R or 99.999 whateva, don't love to eat fish or associate with people who love to eat fish...as much as those of us who feel this way, it doesn't mean that we're not concerned or anti-conservative,...to make a "blanket" statement like,...... ...Seriously???

Some people would rather buy their nice and clean fish fillets at the market on the day that they plan on eating it, I don't mind getting my hands dirty, I enjoyed the last bag of striper fillets that I thawed out last month, where's the gluttony in that??...and it's a nice feeling knowing that YOU put food on the table, for yourself and others...literally. I don't know...this is a point-less debate for me. For the most part, on days that I catch my limit and plan on keeping it,,,I catch MUCH more than 2 legal fish...again, not chest pounding, but anyone that can consistently catch fish, knows that on days that you catch...you CATCH..(if that makes any sense)

..not making any personal attacks, sorry if it reads that way...like I said, "to each his own".

Believe me If I ate fish I would be filling my freezer, no one in my house eats fish except my wife and she would rather have Blue fish so That's what I take home if she wants it, also when Me and my family is on Vacation on the cape Fish come home for at least one meal

Gut hooked or dying fish come home also, I believe people fishing with in the law are just fine, Places I fish I don't see anyone taking more then they are aloud

[woodwker99]

I only keep 1 -28" fish a year. the rest go back.

[djlesco]

It's legal is not an excuse.. We all know that.. Seems there is this disconnect from right and legal.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[DZ]

I still find it amazing how many of the old guard still lay blame on FD for writing about the cape but never say a disparaging word about Lyman and Woolner.

DZ

[afterhours]

as far as fd- better late than never...

[bloocrab]

Originally Posted by djlesco

It's legal is not an excuse.. We all know that.. Seems there is this disconnect from right and legal.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

WOW!!.....so now I need an excuse to keep a fish??


This "disconnect" you speak of is the difference between those of you who fish primarily for SPORT and those of us who fish BOTH for sport and personal CONSUMPTION, as I described in my earlier post).
MOST of you started fishing for Sport. As a child growing up, my father & family (immigrants) fished more for table-fare than for amusement, I guess that trait or gene still resides in this fish-eater..Striped-Bass is a strong 2nd to Tautog on my fish menu. Yes, preferred over Tuna, Salmon, etc/// I GUARANTEE that if those of you strongly advocating strictly or 99.9999% C&R enjoyed eating fish or had a similar type of background, you would feel differently. I also do not sell any of what I keep, unlike many others (but again, to each their own).

Seems some of you will never understand. I guess this <<smiley)) was made for those of us who use the "legality" excuse when keeping fish..

[Green Light]

I agree with the observation that striped bass stocks are declining (based on my data and other data). Hence, for this season, like the past three seasons, I am planning to harvest one fish for a family dinner and release the rest after taking a quick measurement and picture.

My $0.01. ;-).

[chrisjoe13]

Frand D. is the man. Some of you are just cranky, get over it.

Releasing is good.

[Doublerunner]

bloocrab if your father hit you to punish you as a child does that make it okay for you to do the same? Look I know the point you are trying to make. But it is you that is not looking at this from any other viewpoint than your own needs/wants. The fishery is more important than any individuals desires/needs/wants

If the stock were strong and vital....like before the moratorium years then that is a different story. But there is a serious issue with the stock declining....for many reasons. And so we all should do our part to conserve and preserve before it is all gone or we get a moratorium again

More than likely your father lived through the moratorium years and survived without taking any stripers during that time. Do we really need to repeat our past mistakes?

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by DZ

I still find it amazing how many of the old guard still lay blame on FD for writing about the cape but never say a disparaging word about Lyman and Woolner.

DZ

I've never met Frank, and personally, I have nothing against the guy.

But, I think there's more to why he's so disliked down-Cape beyond the fact that he wrote about it.

And on the subject at hand, I don't think that Frank has fished commercially since the bass came back, so he can preach C&R nowadays with credibility in my book. My fishing partner has probably sold more bass than Frank did in his life, and fished commercially long after Frank stopped, and while he isn't total C&R, he never keeps a bass over 32" for the table now.

[ratblue]

his jab at the asmfc & seals was pretty humorous

[Jackbass]

I agree RB that was humorous.

I don't know Frank but I have no reason to think he can not change his beliefs unless some one I trust tells me otherwise. I hope he preaches C and R more often and in more publications.

[MikeToole]

While I won't challenge anyone for keeping their limit, especially as long as commercial fishing is allowed for stripers. What I got most from this thread is that we do need to reduce the limit on stripers because we will not self regulate. In reading Frank's article I also agree that as long as there is a price on stripers, illegal sales by both Recs and commercial will continue along with poor catch practices.

The same message is in an article in the May issue of On The Water. Again by a person who used to fish commercially for them. The understanding of what is happening is getting out and to me it doesn't matter who the messenger is as long as it gets out.

[bloocrab]

Originally Posted by Doublerunner

bloocrab if your father hit you to punish you as a child does that make it okay for you to do the same? Look I know the point you are trying to make. But it is you that is not looking at this from any other viewpoint than your own needs/wants. The fishery is more important than any individuals desires/needs/wants

If the stock were strong and vital....like before the moratorium years then that is a different story. But there is a serious issue with the stock declining....for many reasons. And so we all should do our part to conserve and preserve before it is all gone or we get a moratorium again

More than likely your father lived through the moratorium years and survived without taking any stripers during that time. Do we really need to repeat our past mistakes?

99.9% of the time, that my father hit me, I deserved it. Does the 0.1% justify that he never should have? I don't think so. I wasn't disciplined abusively, physically yes...but not abusively (there's a difference). In real-time, I think I'm an o.k. fella, some of the things learned by the belt weren't all that bad. Thick-headed people sometimes need pain in the deliverance of a message or lesson. In relation to your remarks, I guess you could say that the "pain" in my example would be another "moratorium", right?...I agree.

In saying that, I still think 1-2 fish per recreational fisherman is a fair number. (I am perfectly fine with 1fish@whateversize ) I never said that there wasn't a problem. Perhaps the thought of not being able to keep a striped-bass for the table bothers me, which is what I believe most C&R want. Therefore my thoughts on the matter remain the same....and yes, my father and I both lived through the moratorium years. I don't believe the problem is with the recreational side of this equation so why should I agree with accepting it's punishment?

[djlesco]

Would willing to release yours in order to make them realse thiers? (commercial fishermen)
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[bloocrab]

Would willing to release yours in order to make them realse thiers?

Cheek turning doesn't work in that industry... Shut it down for everyone, Mission accomplished. They will never regulate "them" enough to make "THE" difference needed,,, 2much$$$$ involved. Meanwhile, I too...will eat the fruit from the Garden of Eden, less the sin, in my eyes anways...

I have no problem catching them by accident while targeting bluefish (and releasing them) if it were ever to get shut down...