Why I Don't Fish The Trophy Season

[CharlesM]

I must admit,begrudgingly so that I am now somewhat an old timer here based on the age of many posters on the board. I was fortunate in that my dad always had a boat of some sort that allowed he, my brother and myself access to the bay. I have actively fished the Chesapeake Bay for over 40years now since I was a young child. I remember my dad idling out to the center span of the Bay Bridge when it was a single span and us coming home with a cooler full of fish. The total was often in excess of 100 fish or more depending on how many coolers were on board. I have watched the fishery diminish to levels that I never would have thought possible during this time frame to the point that I choose not to fish for the brooding stock. Each and every one is entitled to fish as they choose, however if we continue to degrade the fishery at the current pace there will be no fishery before you cease your fishing days on the bay. Crabs , Rockfish , Spot are all species that were in abundance when I was a kid and are all now scarce compared to former levels. It is because of this degradation that I refuse to fish during the Trophy season in hopes to do my part . I thought I needed to say this on Earth Day in hopes that others will reflect and consider the choices they make when it comes to keep the brooding stock. The constant decline of the bay combined with overfishing will result in the demise of the fishery in my opinion. I only have the last 40 years as anecdotal evidence .

[5th Tuition]

CharlesM; Thanks for your post. Everyone is intitled to his opinion. I hope noone gives you crap for your viewpoint. Much success to you during the "regular" season. 5th (Marty)

[Mr Noodle]

So, you're bragging about 100 fish days "or more depending on how many coolers you had on board" and bitching about trophy season? I'm no spring chicken, but I get a little fed up with fellow old timers talking about the 1,000's of fish they could kill before and blaming the current generation for the lack of fish in the bay now.

[Baldzilla 2.0]

Bash me if you like, but Good Lord Mr. Noodle, this may have been the first productive thing I have ever heard you say! With 100 fish days and coolers full of fish, does anyone wonder why we had a moratorium, we we blame today's fishing for this problem? I respect the fact that you don't fish Trophy Season Charlie, but I think the 100 fish days were more of a problem than the current one fish limit...I'm a guy that doesn't keep fish himself...but seriously, if conservation had ever come up back in the day we would not be where so many see the state of the fishery now!

[smellslikefish]

MAN!!!!!! I cant even imagine, how many fish would be in this bay, if only everyone only kept there 1 daily fish........from the time of John Smith, till now..............We probally would'nt need a bridge to drive over to O.C.:yes: Just use the fishes back, as a ferry.


Bill

[bebopper]

This reminds me of the "oldtimers" that hunted and killed the big game in Africa and now want the hunt to be with cameras. After you have your fun you want to preach. I'm an oldtimer myself and I saw the wheel barrows of fish coming into Scheible's in the '50's. I thought it was dumb then but now we have controls in place that seem to be working. At least that is what we are told. I don't keep rock myself but I don't begrudge those that do. And I don't pretend a "holier than thou" attitude. A spawner is a spawner no matter what time of the year you catch it.

[SALTRODDER]

Hey Guys,

I think that what Charlie is saying is that in the old days we were all less aware of the importance of limits. But now we need to do whatever it takes to ensure the survival of Rockfish as a viable Bay species. I must say that I am not in complete agreement. I don't think that C&R mortality rate studies show a huge adverse impact which would support closing the C&R season. But don't jump on the guy about 100 fish days. He's not bragging; he's just pointing out how we used to think about the resource being undepletable.

Saltrodder
Annapolis

[CharlesM]

Saltrodder,

I could not have said it better. We did not think at the time there would ever be limits on what could be kept or minimum sizes of most species. If it bit the hook and it wasn't a toadfish, it went in the cooler. That type of thinking is exactly what got us to the point that we are today.

[LY2000]

Good post but mr noodle has a point. Not everyone back then kept every fish or female crabs etc. We were just called wierd.

[Matt]

I thought Charles' point was about how they didn't know what they were doing back then, and how it resulted in something that wasn't expected or desired - killing roe laden fish might something we're doing today that could end up going the wrong way too. If that's his point, I agree.

[rattler]

Back In The Day. That's when I grew up. 60's-70's. NO limits on anything. I have a shoe box full of citations, that do not mean a thing. I eat what I keep. keep what I need. I've seen fish dumped at the dock, and off the piers that looked bigger when they went in to the box. still goes on. most play by the rules, some do not. I do not respect a paper fisherman, but that is MHO. I have a good day, I feel good. I find a good spot, IT"S MINE. If someone else shows up, I help and share unless they are an AH/IDIOT. then I just give BAD INFO.JMHO