Menhaden Bill introduced

[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.

[bobber]

Ebe- I think the idea of protecting bunker as being detrimental to South County fishing is preposterous(!) if you really think the only guys who are gonna benefit are th boaters in Gansett Bay, you're way off....... besides, who says that you aren't the guy whose fishing style has adapted to the "wrong way" of fishing without bunker??

[JohnR]

Mike - thank you & your brother on this. Also, let us know what we can do to support this...

Thanks!