Menhaden Bill introduced

[JFigliuolo]

I agree, the bait should be protected. I also agree w/Eben though. The Surfacster will see little short term benefit (most likely detriment) as the fish last year were on the pogies in the bay.

[eelman]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

I agree, the bait should be protected. I also agree w/Eben though. The Surfacster will see little short term benefit (most likely detriment) as the fish last year were on the pogies in the bay.

I would think the overall good far outweighs a surfcaster not wanting the fish to follow the bait?? thats ridiculas, surfcasters will have to adapt and learn new places to fish, there is nothing wrong with fishing the bay and there are plenty of places to go, with a little effort and willingness to learn a new spots, the world does not revolve around gansett surf fisherman or from first rock to point judith...If this passes the bay will be like what it was a long time ago and, it was fantastic many many large bass were caught with regularity in the bay. This will change things no doubt but, for the good! From what I saw last year I wouldent move to South County now if I were paid to do so! It was that good, even with the bunker boat in the bay..Imagine without it!! everything has cycles and the pogies are back strong , with a little help they will thrive.

[Krispy]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

I would think the overall good far outweighs a surfcaster not wanting the fish to follow the bait?? thats ridiculas, surfcasters will have to adapt and learn new places to fish, there is nothing wrong with fishing the bay and there are plenty of places to go, with a little effort and willingness to learn a new spots, the world does not revolve around gansett surf fisherman or from first rock to point judith...If this passes the bay will be like what it was a long time ago and, it was fantastic many many large bass were caught with regularity in the bay. This will change things no doubt but, for the good! From what I saw last year I wouldent move to South County now if I were paid to do so! It was that good, even with the bunker boat in the bay..Imagine without it!! everything has cycles and the pogies are back strong , with a little help they will thrive.

I agree 100% w/ what #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& posted above. Although it may somewhat change the way everyone fishes, bringing bunker back in large #'s will outweigh (pun intended) any other effects.
In a few years you would also the see the effects on the ocean beaches

[Springtides]

here we come.
#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& has a good point about getting this to become law. You never know whats going to happen in the legislative process. However, these gents in the House that signed the bill are serious about the issue. They are committeed to getting this done and on the books. How do I know this you ask? I am proud to say that my brother is the co-sponsor. Hold on, this is going to be a good one. Kudo's to RISAA.

[Slinger]

I don`t very often get involved anymore, too many battles fought without a victory. But my wife fights on, heavily involved with local politics. I`ve allready phoned both my Rep and Senator and expressed my opinion and told them that I would be closely following this bill. A personal call is worth a hundred form letter E-mails.
Slinger

[Canalman]

Ahhh.... Finally a winter flame war!

I personally don't attribute the lackluster fishing in SoCo to the abundance of Bunker in the bay. When the guys were slaying fish in the Bay in boats... there were plenty of fish to be had from shore too... just had to look in different places sometimes... they're not always in the same places every year. The summer did SUCK but it has to be because of the outlandishly warm water.. no? The bay was no longer loaded with big fish in the summer or pogies... and then August... brought the fish back... although it seemed like almost no one knew it. The fall was excellent. I'll vote for this one twice if I can...

[zimmy]

Eben,
I really don't think you have to worry about your concerns. All the environmental benefits aside... If bunker were at historic levels, they would be all along the coast, in the salt ponds, etc. They would not be only in the bay. Maybe for the summer, but they would drop out in the fall and you would have blitzes all along the coast. The bunker are with out a doubt a GOOD thing. With the decline in herring, flounder etc. they are critical to sustaining the bass population.

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

I would think the overall good far outweighs a surfcaster not wanting the fish to follow the bait?? thats ridiculas, surfcasters will have to adapt and learn new places to fish, there is nothing wrong with fishing the bay and there are plenty of places to go, with a little effort and willingness to learn a new spots, the world does not revolve around gansett surf fisherman or from first rock to point judith...If this passes the bay will be like what it was a long time ago and, it was fantastic many many large bass were caught with regularity in the bay. This will change things no doubt but, for the good! From what I saw last year I wouldent move to South County now if I were paid to do so! It was that good, even with the bunker boat in the bay..Imagine without it!! everything has cycles and the pogies are back strong , with a little help they will thrive.

I definitely agree w/the good outweighing the bad. I think I said that, or meant to. It just makes things a little more challenging for the shore bound. I don't quite see how you can disagree with that. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of flat water fishing. I prefer the open ocean. Doesn't mean I won't adapt, just means it's not my preference.

[Krispy]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

It just makes things a little more challenging for the shore bound. I don't quite see how you can disagree with that.

I do. Have you ever fished schools of bunker? Where theres bunker, theres fat hungry bass slamming just about anything you can put in front of them.
It makes pros out of goons, just look at me
Only in NE would guys complain about bunker coming back

[Springtides]

House committee members:

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ComMemb...omChoiceR=HENR

[eelman]

Originally Posted by Krispy

I do. Have you ever fished schools of bunker? Where theres bunker, theres fat hungry bass slamming just about anything you can put in front of them.
It makes pros out of goons, just look at me
Only in NE would guys complain about bunker coming back

Have to agree, what a joke complaining about a bunker resurgence, makes me wonder who the heck is really a fisherman.......And your right only in NE....

[eelman]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

I definitely agree w/the good outweighing the bad. I think I said that, or meant to. It just makes things a little more challenging for the shore bound. I don't quite see how you can disagree with that. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of flat water fishing. I prefer the open ocean. Doesn't mean I won't adapt, just means it's not my preference.

You must not have fished all that many years then, the presence of bunker make the shore fishing fantastic, in the 80s areas like fort Varnum were red hot due to all the bunker that were around, also you may want to take a closer look at the bay itself, there are plenty of places that have wave action, the bay goes all the way to its mouth at Beavertail light I would call that Surf in every sense of the word. The bay doesnt end at Conimicutt point...Anyway most of the 50lb fish landed in Rhode Island in the 70s and early 80s came from the bay and many of those came from shore fisherman..

This is a stupid argument and not on the right direction....The bottom line is that This bill is a great step forward and will benefit all fisherman.

[Canalman]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

This is a stupid argument and not on the right direction....The bottom line is that This bill is a great step forward and will benefit all fisherman.

well said

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

You must not have fished all that many years then, the presence of bunker make the shore fishing fantastic, in the 80s areas like fort Varnum were red hot due to all the bunker that were around, also you may want to take a closer look at the bay itself, there are plenty of places that have wave action, the bay goes all the way to its mouth at Beavertail light I would call that Surf in every sense of the word. The bay doesnt end at Conimicutt point...Anyway most of the 50lb fish landed in Rhode Island in the 70s and early 80s came from the bay and many of those came from shore fisherman..

This is a stupid argument and not on the right direction....The bottom line is that This bill is a great step forward and will benefit all fisherman.

Correct, I didn't start until the early 90's. Then I was in NC for 6 years, I've only been back for 6. I didn't think we we're arguing. I agree it will be good for the fishery. My opinion, (and that's all it is) is that the places i currently like to fish will not benefit in the SHORT term. I will adapt if i need to. I am no way opposed to the bill. I would , however, like to see menhaden fishing banned from ALL RI waters, not just the bay.