SPEARGUNNERS FOR MA STRIPERS!

[Swimmer]

[QUOTE=Fish_Eye;740973]Hooligans, you must be talking about Plymouth or most likely Rockport where there is a lot of daytime bottle diving for lobsters and no spearing allowed. Believe me, stripers don't follow spearos from any distance, they move when you move, but when they are in a state like MA or CT where you can't shoot them, they do behave with a little less caution. As far as offering them "small" (illegal) lobsters...sure you can chum bass where they're already conditioned to follow divers.

I was talking about Plymouth Mike. GGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Sea Flat]

I am sure that there are a lot of really good spear fishermen out there that can "estimate" really well as to whether a fish is legal or not before they spear it. But, that is what it is, an estimate. You do not know for sure until you have it up and dead and measure it. Obviously, with experienced spearfishermen they know, just like us rod and reel guys know. Still, it is a very inexact science as to whether or not a fish is legal before you spear it. Especially to those that first start. I remember spearing what I thought was a world record tautog and could not believe how small it was when I got to the surface. I would hate for this to happen to stripers.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Sea Flat

I am sure that there are a lot of really good spear fishermen out there that can "estimate" really well as to whether a fish is legal or not before they spear it. But, that is what it is, an estimate. You do not know for sure until you have it up and dead and measure it.

No worse than the guys who drag a 26" fish around for a while before measuring it. Lay it on the rocks, take pictures. Rummage through bag and grab tape measure. Bring buddy over, show him bass. Measure again to be sure it isn't actually 28". then 5-10min later, release the fish.

Weigh the number of potential spear guys vs rod and reel guys... it is a really small impact here guys....

[Sea Flat]

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

No worse than the guys who drag a 26" fish around for a while before measuring it. Lay it on the rocks, take pictures. Rummage through bag and grab tape measure. Bring buddy over, show him bass. Measure again to be sure it isn't actually 28". then 5-10min later, release the fish.

Weigh the number of potential spear guys vs rod and reel guys... it is a really small impact here guys....

True enough, good point.

I would only add that eventually the rod and reel guys' fish gets back in the water and most likely lives. Where as, once a spear is through the fish it is dead. Short or not.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Sea Flat

I would only add that eventually the rod and reel guys' fish gets back in the water and most likely lives.

You really believe that?

Think Mid-summer tourist season, 26" bass inhaling a small hook on a catch all rig baited with sand worm or squid strip....

which scenario is a lot more likely? That or one of the few spearfisherman that misjudges a fish?

I know quite a few spearers and they are very respectful of the species... maybe it comes from seeing them in their habitat.. I don't know, I stay above the surface...