New Striper hook rules in Maine - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnnyD · 03-30-2011, 08:00 AM

This is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm or a dam that is forming leaks and about to break.

A bunch of ineffective patchwork that just adds more red tape while never really fixing the larger issue. Mortality is a bigger problem, in need of a broader "solution" than hook choice and number of hooks.

Nebe · 03-30-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

This is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm or a dam that is forming leaks and about to break.

A bunch of ineffective patchwork that just adds more red tape while never really fixing the larger issue. Mortality is a bigger problem, in need of a broader "solution" than hook choice and number of hooks.

Let's see. They have a slot limit and now this.. I'd say they are doing a he'll of a lot more in Maine than anywhere else.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

RIROCKHOUND · 03-30-2011, 08:10 AM

And,

In a state w/ a slot limit, a move to reduce release mortality is a good step in the right direction.

I think the idea has been put before the RIMFC at least as a proposal before....

JohnnyD · 03-30-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

Let's see. They have a slot limit and now this.. I'd say they are doing a he'll of a lot more in Maine than anywhere else.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

If I pick up boxes on one side of the room and move them to the other side, I'm doing a whole lot more than someone that is sitting in the corner. Doesn't mean I actually accomplished anything.

Regulating minute details of how we fish isn't going to fix the broader problem of high mortality.

Sea Flat · 03-30-2011, 09:56 AM

Apparently you have to be a northern state to institute sensible and easy fishing regulations. Alaska has been well documented as one of the leaders in our country and now Maine is doing something to in order to kill less fish needlessly.

Do I think gut hooking occurs a lot, no, but there are a decent amount of sand spike using bait fisherman that are too busy drinking beer to notice that there has been a fish on the end of his line for a good 30 seconds. And, if his fish ends up not being legal to take home he is going to have to put back a dead or dying fish. Circle hooks will help in this situation. I tend to think this type of regulation would be suitable for all fishermen that like to use clams, chum and chunk bait, or use eels.

There are some reports, true or not, that Catch and Release fishing is accountable for a lot of striper mortality. I personally do not believe this statement or NOAA's crappy assertions, but perhaps this is what led Maine to do something. I applaud them for their efforts and even though I do not agree with C & R mortality figures we all know that it does happen and Maine just did something to prevent unnecessary harm to the fish that we all love to catch.

PRBuzz · 03-30-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

If I pick up boxes on one side of the room and move them to the other side, I'm doing a whole lot more than someone that is sitting in the corner. Doesn't mean I actually accomplished anything.

I wondered what you did all day!

fishbones · 03-30-2011, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

This is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm or a dam that is forming leaks and about to break.

A bunch of ineffective patchwork that just adds more red tape while never really fixing the larger issue. Mortality is a bigger problem, in need of a broader "solution" than hook choice and number of hooks.

Geez, JD. Could you be a little more negative? Maine is at least trying to do something. If this saves a few fish, it's worth it. It's a heck of a lot more than other states are doing concerning the SB stock. If you don't feel it's enough, you should start campaigning at the state house and writing letters in every second of your spare time. Or, you could just stop fishing for stripers (although that may have less of an effect than a bandaid on a decapitation

).

I see this as a step in the right direction by some folks who at least are getting something done. Who knows? It may lead to more conservation measures down the line, or other states may follow suit. I definitely don't see it as a bad thing. And the more attention that's brought to the issue, the better.

JohnnyD · 03-30-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbones

Geez, JD. Could you be a little more negative? Maine is at least trying to do something. If this saves a few fish, it's worth it. It's a heck of a lot more than other states are doing concerning the SB stock. If you don't feel it's enough, you should start campaigning at the state house and writing letters in every second of your spare time. Or, you could just stop fishing for stripers (although that may have less of an effect than a bandaid on a decapitation

).

My issue is this micro-managed type of policy making. They regulate for the sake of regulating under the guise of "it should help". If they want to decrease mortality, there are far more effective ways that don't consist of an ineffective patchwork of over-regulating the average fisherman.

Fisheries managers up and down the coast seem to be penny-wise and dollar-foolish when it comes to creating policy. People keep saying "well at least they are doing something" and I think that mentality is dangerous. With this, they will have their foot in the door dictating how to fish. What's next - all treble hooks are made illegal, no more bait, restrictions on gear you can use?

fishbones · 03-30-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

My issue is this micro-managed type of policy making. They regulate for the sake of regulating under the guise of "it should help". If they want to decrease mortality, there are far more effective ways that don't consist of an ineffective patchwork of over-regulating the average fisherman.

Fisheries managers up and down the coast seem to be penny-wise and dollar-foolish when it comes to creating policy. People keep saying "well at least they are doing something" and I think that mentality is dangerous. With this, they will have their foot in the door dictating how to fish. What's next - all treble hooks are made illegal, no more bait, restrictions on gear you can use?

Rome wasn't built in a day.

You have lots of gripes with what they're doing or not doing, but you don't seem to be putting in any effort on your part to improve things.

JohnnyD · 03-30-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbones

Rome wasn't built in a day.

You have lots of gripes with what they're doing or not doing, but you don't seem to be putting in any effort on your part to improve things.

I'll make sure to keep you updated on the phone calls and emails I send out and which meets I've attended to voice my concerns.

bogey · 03-30-2011, 03:03 PM

[QUOTE=JohnnyD;848154]My issue is this micro-managed type of policy making. They regulate for the sake of regulating under the guise of "it should help". If they want to decrease mortality, there are far more effective ways that don't consist of an ineffective patchwork of over-regulating the average fisherman.

What are these "far more effective ways"?

JohnnyD · 03-30-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogey

What are these "far more effective ways"?

1 @ 36"
5 year suspension of your comm or rec license for poaching

fishbones · 03-30-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

1 @ 36"
5 year suspension of your comm or rec license for poaching

I'd love to see 1 @36 coastwide. I'd also like to see the baitfish situation fixed.

As for a 5 year suspension, do you really believe that would have an impact? Probably less than changing hooks in Maine. If someone will poach, they probably won't give much thought to continuing to do it without a license. And you know that enforcing it would be near impossible.

JohnnyD · 03-30-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbones

As for a 5 year suspension, do you really believe that would have an impact? Probably less than changing hooks in Maine. If someone will poach, they probably won't give much thought to continuing to do it without a license. And you know that enforcing it would be near impossible.

I don't think it'd matter for recs, just allow EPs to give out fines for fishing without a license. For comms though, they'll be risking their livelihood by poaching. Either that or hit them where it really hurts - big fine for the first offense and you lose your boat/gear on the second offense.

With the way things are now, the poachers merely get a slap on the write and consider these small fines a cost of doing business.