Ban the Striper Cup now!!!

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by WESTPORTMAFIA

Isn't there a political forum? They one I don't go in because I try not to get into arguments. These posts should be moved there once they are posted. Or move them to another pissandmoan forum or whogivesa#^&#^&#^&#^&whatuthink forum. It sucks having this stuff in the main forum.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Its fish discussion, while I may have feel that this tourney can fished efficiently (and I think we do), I won't squash the discussion and good natured debate in exchange for happy talk. Stripers or Scup, as long as it is honest discussion, its open. As for S-B fishing the cup, that is an annual decision. This year we are in. Next year, depends on stock assessments, regulations, and anything OTW may do to further reduce impact on the fish.

[Raven]

westport mafia has a good point there
cuz it's happier times are here again time

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Raven

westport mafia has a good point there
cuz it's happier times are here again time

Yeh, but its about fishing. If it goes over the top (in my opinion it didn't) it can get bounced to scuppers or round filed.

Besides, today is April 15th. Symbolicaly there can be no "happy times" today

[afterhours]

it's just that some of us who were around back in the 80's are seeing it happen right before our eyes AGAIN. some of us love fishing for the sport of it and are willing to sacrifice the killing for the benefit of the fish at this time. this is not a political rant this is a fishing commentary that belongs front and center. after all isn't catching fish what it's all about...no fish no catch.

[piemma]

So there you have it. Two side of the debate and no resolution to the ever increasing problem of the demise iof the Bass population.

Tell you what, this year will tell the tale. Let's see how many of the the "gray beards" have a banner year. 6 years ago I had a 1000+ fish year (caught not killed). Last year I had a 200 fish year. I am speaking of "keeper" fish which I consider 34" not 28".

Let's see what time brings us this year and, if we have another "down" year, let us reassess our positon supporting the CUP.

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by piemma

So there you have it. Two side of the debate and no resolution to the ever increasing problem of the demise iof the Bass population.

Tell you what, this year will tell the tale. Let's see how many of the the "gray beards" have a banner year. 6 years ago I had a 1000+ fish year (caught not killed). Last year I had a 200 fish year. I am speaking of "keeper" fish which I consider 34" not 28".

Let's see what time brings us this year and, if we have another "down" year, let us reassess our positon supporting the CUP.

Well put. My position has been clear on this since I let my subscription run out when they started the tourny. I am more experienced now, fish harder, and have a harder time finding fish than I did 5, 10, or 15 years ago. That isn't the way it should work. There is a problem and we all know it.

[BigFish]

Problem is deeper than the Striper Cup! Think big......not tiny! People need to look within and begin policing themselves and fishing responsibly........however I am sure most already do that.....its the gluttonous irresponsible pigs that are killing the fishery! I take maybe 8-10 fish a year for myself.........thats far from the 2 a day permitted which, if I did take those would equate to approx. 225 fish???? So....people should take as they need not take as they are permitted!!! I have no issue with a responsibly run tourney like OTW......what more can they do?? I personally do not care to participate in tournaments.

The state permits 2 a day per angler which is far more than anyone needs in a day.....start there and get it dropped back to 1 at 28"!

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by piemma

Tell you what, this year will tell the tale. Let's see how many of the the "gray beards" have a banner year. 6 years ago I had a 1000+ fish year (caught not killed). Last year I had a 200 fish year. I am speaking of "keeper" fish which I consider 34" not 28".

Another quiet May/June in Narragansett Bay will really be telling for me.

For years you couldn't swing the proverbial dead cat out there without hitting a striper in the 24" to 34" range at the start of the season. Long before the adult bunker returned that was how it was.

I don't have the years some do on the water (17 years or so really isn't very long relative to the cyclical nature of fish and bait populations) but it's concerning to see such a large fishery as Narragansett Bay get so quiet.

There's still fish of course, but it's very different compared to anything I can remember.

[Striper_Haven_03]

Dont normally get involved in discussions but I have had my best years in the last 4, although the numbers are slightly down, the fish are still there year after year, large,medium,small. I have seen a decline in huge schools of 16"-24" fish but seems like there are still a ton of larger fish,say in the 32-46" range. I think the location of the schools of small fish vary by locale year after year (storms,bait,water conditions,etc). The larger fish,well they just keep coming back and have there favorite spots. I have seen a huge decline in the bluefish fishing in my area. I think out of 75+ outing last year my log says I caught 5 bluefish. 10 years ago it would have been 50+. Some in different areas say its the opposite.

Who knows? I think we are all guessing at something we know very little about and understand....after all we are all "human".

- Fireman

Originally Posted by piemma

So there you have it. Two side of the debate and no resolution to the ever increasing problem of the demise iof the Bass population.

Tell you what, this year will tell the tale. Let's see how many of the the "gray beards" have a banner year. 6 years ago I had a 1000+ fish year (caught not killed). Last year I had a 200 fish year. I am speaking of "keeper" fish which I consider 34" not 28".

Let's see what time brings us this year and, if we have another "down" year, let us reassess our positon supporting the CUP.