I recieved this today from Tom Fote of the JCAA...

[schoolie monster]

Don't know anything about this dude, but he is right about one thing.

If all the recreational anglers who for the most part agree that conservation measures are needed were to band together and make their voice heard, we would be very powerful. I would say far more powerful than the small number of commercial fishermen.

The question is:

What can we do? How do we voice our concerns? And to whom?

I'll bet alot of us are in the same boat. I have a full-time job, a full-time family, a full-time house and regardless of my political stance and opinions... those things HAVE to come first. Gotta start with your own yard.

How much time and energy does that leave me? Enough to be a little selfish and go fishing and spend some time for myself. Sure. Enough to storm the whitehouse demanding gamefish status for the striped bass? Nope.

But I know I can and should do more or I should just shut up and deal with a declining fishery. Kinda like voting. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about who's president.

Though I guess I do take action everytime release a fish or everytime I pick up some @$$hole's fishing line or everytime I teach my daughter that litter is bad and that if we let a fish go, it will be there to enjoy tomorrow. Anytime we chose to do these things we are certainly helping, however the reality is that only through a show of power can we influence the mental giants that make the decisions.

I mentioned in the last conservation discussion/rant that we could learn from Florida and use their success as a case study. They worked hard and banded together and are saving several of their prized gamefish. I realize we are talking about influencing over half a dozen states, but there is precedence.

I'm sure that I and alot of others may be surprised at little ways we each can help. Join this organization, sign that pettition, donate $20 (tax deduction) to that group... perhaps this would be some good topics of conversation after the season. I'll bet alot of the crusty veterans out there have some good info on some of these organizations and groups, etc.