Are you happy with the current SB regs?

[tlapinski]

with the current state of our fishery, do you feel that the regulations in place are effective? do you think that regulations should be modified? is the 2 fish at 28"+ good? how could it be better managed?

i am kind of back and forth on this. i feel that it is too easy these days to catch a "keeper". is this really a bad thing or just the product of better management? the water seems to be overflowing with bass in the teen to twenty pound class. i would like to see these fish protected as opposed to being taken advantage of. but, i also do not think that the best thing is not to have any harvest. i liked the "slot" idea that was tried not too long ago. allow the taking of 1 small fish for table fare, and one fish for trophy status. make that trophy fish a real trophy, though. put it at 45"+. i am not looking for a fight with anyone here, just looking for some other opinions and feelings.

[Nebe]

I want a slot... I only take home one fish every once in a while and I'd feel safer only eating a young fish, not an old one full of mercury and pcb's...

I'm more concerned with the menhaden regs though..... no menhaden means lots of sick, skinny bass

[JohnR]

I would like a slot. 1 (or perhaps 2) between 22 and 26 and 1 over 38". Getting the smaller fish at the 22-26 range increases the chance at catching non-breeding males and fish over 38" gives the females (for all practical purpoese almost all fish over 34" are female) several spawning cycles.

I would like to see a 20% reduction in rec & comm catches from current levels. I would also like to see a realistic focus on protecting forage fish...

I added an option to the poll, let me know if you need it pulled.

[striprman]

2 fish @ 28 inches seems reasonable

Most people keep the fish they catch (over 28 inches).

If the scientists/government say that the stocks are recovered, 2 fish a day would be alright.
I really can't see 40 fish for commercial though, thats way to much. 20 fish maybe but 40

I'm just happy to catch 1

[RIROCKHOUND]

I agree on a slot; one 20-28" fish; one over 40" or more, make it a trophy slot...

[Jenn]

one fish per day

[thefishingfreak]

i liked it when it was one fish at 36",when you actualy had to work to get a keeper.
i feel it's to easy to catch a "keeper" nowadays, so ALOT of people who almost never would have caught keepers in the past, are now killing alot more fish. just because it's a "keeper".
in my opinion there's alot more 28" bass arround now compared to two or three years ago. when it seemed like every fish was 351/2
inches.just under legal.
mike.

[tlapinski]

Originally posted by JohnR
I added an option to the poll, let me know if you need it pulled.

no problem. i was trying to think of some wording along those lines. thanks.

I would also like to see a realistic focus on protecting forage fish...

definately! that is a big part of what the CCA-CT is trying to do with the herring in CT.

[bassmaster]

bring it back to 1@36"

[Bigcat]

Yep, bring it back up to 36" that was a major part of the recovery

[Slingah]

1 @ 36"

[macojoe]

I like the slot!! 1 at 24" to 28" 1 over 36"

I don't bass fish for the food, as I like it but don't go nuts over it. And I like the small fish they taste better.

As for commercial, I do commercial and 20 fish a day is fine by me!! 40 fish is to much!! at 20 per day it would greatly extend the season and keep the prices better.

[Rob C.]

I also like the slot idea. When the limit was 1 @ 36" could you continue to fish after ya had a keeper? Back when they were 36 i never brought any home. Now that i can catch a keeper most days the fishing to me is more enjoyable even though i usually throw em all back. Most of the time i just dont feel like cleaning a fish when i get home. Protecting the forage fish is going to be key to keeping our fishery healthy, this managing one species at a time is going to have to end, lets just hope the people that make the dicisions open their eyes a bit more.

[Krispy]

slot or 1 @ 36"

[KLMulder]

Slot of 1 from 20" to 28" and 1 over 36" no fishing after you have your 2 fish.

[BigFish]

I was happy with the one at 28", nobody needs more than one fish a day!

[Raider Ronnie]

I think 1 fish a day and should be 30 or 32 in
not too hard to get a fish 28in !!!
Don't like the fact that a rec. fish is only 28in, but a commercial fish has to be 34in.

[striperjerk1]

1@36

[bart]

one at 36", what length do they usually spawn at, 34"?

[JHABS]

If a 2 fish slot 1 FISH 28 inches and 1 fish at 40 inches or over , If a 1 fish slot 1 fish over 36 inches but 1 fish should be PLENTY..........................Now the ATTACKS

[striprman]

I think current regulations allow everyone to be able to have a chance to take home a "keeper". 28" isn't a big fish, but it is big to someone who rarely fishes, and has only caught fresh water bass or kibbies.
2 fish over 28" a day seems reasonable. I remember when anyone could catch anything over 16" and no limits and was able to sell 100 pounds plus 1 fish without a commercial licence. Not many "novices" are going to get a 36" fish. Should they be excluded from taking a couple 28" fish? Recreational fisherman who seldom fish, or poor people who hope to catch something for supper with a handline should be able to keep a couple 28" fish.
If you want to catch and keep big fish, consistantly, get a commercial licence.

[BigFish]

I must agree with Habs. I do prefer the 1 fish a day, 36" length would be better that the 28". However, I would have no problem with the slot, 1 at 28" and 1 over 40"!

[Mr. Sandman]

IMO, Keep it simple, Rec's don't want more fish to take home ... one fish > 28, no comm activity whatsoever coastwide.... Do something serious about forage fish situation.

[beachwalker]

a slot like a few of you described .

that way I might be able to eat a freshie this month

[CAL]

I think 1 fish a day, maybe 34" or 36" like it used to be. I've never like the 2 per day crap.

[bassmaster]

Originally posted by beachwalker
a slot like a few of you described .

that way I might be able to eat a freshie this month

eat this wood man 36"

[BasicPatrick]

Personally, I prefer 1 fish @ 28" and 1 Fish @ 40"

Stats that are pretty widely accepted show us that the average rec fisher that fishse in the State of MA catches .05 keepers per calendar year.

We (read...more dedicated fishers) are far outnumbered by the very inefficient and and very part time masses. Far more very cheap tackle and low quality gear is sold than the little bit of decent stuff we speak of every day on this site.

No, the system is not perfect, not even close to it, but at least in the SB world, things are better than in just about every other fishery.

Why do I mention these things...because these fish are for everyone, including the masses that can not catch them them way we can here. Even the newest and worst fishers amongst us are probably way better than the average joe (Read Joey G...aka the Lurker )

PS...Hearings are coming next month to reduce the Commercial Bag limit to 10 fish on opening day and every sunday and 20 fish on the other three open days during the week. this proposal is supported by most of the members of the MA SB Advisory Panel and was created by Commercial Rod & Reel Leaders. this proposal will probably extend the Commercial season by 8 fishing days days. Remember that 90% of the quota is landed by fishers that sell less that 10 bass per day.

[Notaro]

One fish a day at 28 inches and I'm contended with it. In Maine, a 20 inches is a keeper... And that was my first out of the state catch. 28 inches seemed reasonable for me.

[theSURF121]

One and 36"- Is fine by me.

[fishsmith]

I like the the idea of a slot rule 1 fish 24 - 28" and one over 40".