OK--you're king for a day

[Brian L]

I can definitely see why a slot limit would bring a species back from the brink, as it would protect nearly all of the egg laying size fish. Is a slot limit the right thing for a species not on the brink, though? Who knows?

I'm in total agreement with you in regards to forage species, and I believe a huge piece of the puzzle is clean spawning grounds. This is a more proactive way to manage it, imo. I'm not sure that size limits alone are going to do anything to the fishery.

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by Brian L

I'm in total agreement with you in regards to forage species, and I believe a huge piece of the puzzle is clean spawning grounds. This is a more proactive way to manage it, imo. I'm not sure that size limits alone are going to do anything to the fishery.

No more calls, thank you, we have a winner.

I know quoting oneself as a source is a slippery slope but in another thread I said this in response to Flap:

"The point is, if you want to save striped bass start with they water they live in. Water is important. After all, like WC Fields said, fish f**k in it. Let's try to see to it that they continue to do so".

Water quality is the 3rd side of the triangle.

[Brother Brian]

36" seems like a popular number. How come?

Because at that size, you are at the end size for males, so you are still getting both not just females and at that size both M&F's have spawned since they were approx 14 and 24" respectivley. At an average of 3" per year that gives F the chance to spawn at least 4 to 5 times before the 36" range and since the M reproductive ability is good between age 1 and 12 (the best being age 3) they get a good shot at delivering.

[Brian L]

Interesting.. Makes sense now.

I didn't realize how small the fish that can spawn are, either. I figured it was in the high 20's low 30's.