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

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.

ThrowingTimber · 07-21-2008, 10:20 AM

Gamefish status and just take the price tag off the fishes head. Theyre worth more alive than they are in a market be it a fair or black market.

I think Maine's slot is the best thing going. BUT it would have to be enforced, with all the double dipping on catches etc and taking of small fish and guys who want to play commercial fisherman because they think they look cute in bibs enforcement would be key.

The new enforcement guy in southern maine hands out his card with 6 contact #'s to the good guys and he says if you see anything I dont care when it is call me. Hit every number until you get me I'll be there in 20minutes.

Enforecement with the type of dedication is what we would need in RI to enforce a slot such as maine currently has in effect.

Rockport24 · 07-21-2008, 10:25 AM

I totally agree, but is redfish as sought after as the striped bass in the culinary world? as we all know, if the demand is there commerically, it will never end

1dozenraw · 07-21-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrowingTimber

Gamefish status and just take the price tag off the fishes head. Theyre worth more alive than they are in a market be it a fair or black market.

I think Maine's slot is the best thing going. BUT it would have to be enforced, with all the double dipping on catches etc and taking of small fish and guys who want to play commercial fisherman because they think they look cute in bibs enforcement would be key.

The new enforcement guy in southern maine hands out his card with 6 contact #'s to the good guys and he says if you see anything I dont care when it is call me. Hit every number until you get me I'll be there in 20minutes.

Enforecement with the type of dedication is what we would need in RI to enforce a slot such as maine currently has in effect.

TT... what is the slot up there.... one 26" or less or one 40" or over?? Can't remember. There is one thing about Maine... a game warden is a serious law enforcement component up there. They take the job very seriously and the state relies heavily on their abilities, especially up north on the land owned by the logging companies. I know that when I have been there, it seemed like a good way to go. I'm headed there next week actually.... Kennebunkport area.

Nevermind... did a search and found it... on this site.

STATEWIDE REGULATIONS OPEN SEASON January 1 through December 31, inclusive (except the Kennebec watershed, see below). BAG & SIZE LIMITS A person may take and possess 1 fish per day. The fish may be between 20 and 26 inches total length, inclusive, OR 40 inches or greater in total length. TOTAL LENGTH Total length is a straight line measurement from the lower jaw to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched together. DISPOSITION Personal use only, sale is prohibited. Fish must remain whole and intact. GENERAL GEAR RESTRICTIONS Hook and line only, no gaffing of striped bass.

Mike P · 07-21-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrowingTimber

Gamefish status and just take the price tag off the fishes head. Theyre worth more alive than they are in a market be it a fair or black market.

I think Maine's slot is the best thing going. BUT it would have to be enforced, with all the double dipping on catches etc and taking of small fish and guys who want to play commercial fisherman because they think they look cute in bibs enforcement would be key.

The new enforcement guy in southern maine hands out his card with 6 contact #'s to the good guys and he says if you see anything I dont care when it is call me. Hit every number until you get me I'll be there in 20minutes.

Enforecement with the type of dedication is what we would need in RI to enforce a slot such as maine currently has in effect.

Gamefish status without a slot limit, or something better than 2 at 28" is elevating symbolism ahead of substance.

Commercials kill 6 million pounds coastwide, per year. Recs are estimated to kill about 28-30 million. No one really knows how much is really harvested by recs. All gamefish will do is save those 6 million pounds from being recorded as dead--it won't do a damn thing to save them from being dead.

It also won't do a damn thing about by-catch.

We have to change people's attitudes about keeping fish "just because they can".

Brian L · 07-22-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrowingTimber

Gamefish status and just take the price tag off the fishes head. Theyre worth more alive than they are in a market be it a fair or black market.

I think Maine's slot is the best thing going. BUT it would have to be enforced, with all the double dipping on catches etc and taking of small fish and guys who want to play commercial fisherman because they think they look cute in bibs enforcement would be key.

The new enforcement guy in southern maine hands out his card with 6 contact #'s to the good guys and he says if you see anything I dont care when it is call me. Hit every number until you get me I'll be there in 20minutes.

Enforecement with the type of dedication is what we would need in RI to enforce a slot such as maine currently has in effect.

RI and Maine are such completely different Striped Bass fisheries. I'm not sure you could or would need to apply the same rules and regulations for both states. There are so many more fish for a much longer period of time in RI.

Does anyone here know the prime breeding ages/size of Stripers?

Disagree w/r/t the price tag as well. You'd just be paying for them another way. More taxes, licenses, etc.. for more enforcement, etc.. Maine's got a high focus on attracting vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts. The state derives a lot of income from it, so they'd spend more dollars and time enforcing fishing and hunting regs because the return on the investment is good.(licenses, fines, tax revenue from vacationers/outdoorsmen, dollars brought into ME economy) Money would still be spent on fish that are caught, it would just be distributed into different areas.