Let's not harass stripers; future may depend on it

[SilverFox]

I know all you catch and releasers run to post the Baltimore Sun articles when they support your view. I guess in this article from today did not support your view, but it should get posted.

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Let's not harass stripers; future may depend on it
By ON THE OUTDOORS Candus Thomson
November 22, 2009
As meetings go, Monday night's open house about proposed regulations to protect striped bass was a head scratcher.

Members of the group with "conservation" in its name were saying very unconservationlike things. So were other recreational anglers.

Essentially, they want to continue to harass, unencumbered by rules, egg-laden female striped bass as they swim to their spawning grounds in the upper Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in March and April.

Harass is a harsh word, I know. The dictionary says the word means: "to trouble, worry or torment." So harass is exactly the right word.

Here's what happens. A boat spiked with a dozen or so fishing rods slowly trolls the water. When a huge fish strikes, the angler reels it in, most likely hauls it over the gunwales in a net, poses for pictures and then dumps the fish back over the side.

That's catch-and-release, Maryland style.

The Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service will be proposing regulations Tuesday to slow - not halt - the practice. Recreational anglers in favor of retaining the "preseason season" say it doesn't harm the fish and are willing to take a chance with the future. Charter boat captains want to err on the side of conservation.

A compromise is possible if everyone isn't so dug in and in love with the sound of his own voice - more on that in a minute. Protecting the fish should be the bottom line here.

Female striped bass cruise the Eastern seaboard all year, working their way from the Carolinas to New England, stopping in the Chesapeake on their way north each spring to spawn. Seventy-five percent of the striped bass on the East Coast start their lives here, making Maryland the most important stop in the life cycle.

For that reason, the Department of Natural Resources doesn't allow recreational anglers to catch and keep stripers until the third Saturday in April. Before the season starts, however, an area near the mouth of the Susquehanna River called The Flats has been established to allow catch-and-release fishing.

But anglers with cabin fever have started going out on the main stem of the bay early to knock the rust off their skills and get their boats ready for the opening Saturday in April. The practice has been growing in recent years, though the numbers used by the Fisheries Service are somewhat fuzzy.

One thing is certain: The agency's annual Young-of-the-Year census of year-old stripers that dates to the 1950s shows that the bay in recent years has not been a hospitable nursery.

Exercising caution, the Fisheries Service proposal most likely will eliminate the use of bait and certain kinds of hooks that cause deep wounds, limit the number of rods on each boat to six and reduce the number of fishing days each week to three from March 1 until the third Saturday in April.

To allow fishing to continue unabated, biologist Lynn Fegley says, "would be irresponsible."

It also would draw the attention of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which sets Maryland's striped bass quota and has a history of challenging the state's management policies. (If you have any doubts about regional interest, read a story in last Sunday's Maine Sunday Telegram titled, "As Chesapeake Bay Goes ... So Goes Maine's Striped Bass Population" at pressherald.mainetoday.com.)

But closer to home, there are state lawmakers who would be more than happy to legislatively close the striped bass season until late April or May and claim the title of conservationist.

Here's a compromise: Drop the cap on the number of fishing days each week in favor of a ban on lifting the fish into the boat. It's better for the fish ( Florida does it with tarpon), and it's easily enforceable.

The Sport Fish Advisory Commission gets those harsh political realities and last month voted to back new regulations.

Coastal Conservation Association Maryland likes the status quo, a strange position for an organization that successfully pushed for a yellow perch conservation law to ensure that those fish reached their spawning ground unmolested by commercial nets. Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association is part of the "us, too," chorus.

No one knows whether catching pre-spawn striped bass stresses them so that they don't spawn or to the point that the eggs are not viable. But one look at the YOY survey makes you wonder if something bad is happening on our watch.

"We are concerned about the stock status," acknowledges Tom O'Connell, Fisheries Service director.

If Maryland curbs its fishing appetite, the worst thing that could happen is that we have more fish in years to come.

What's wrong with that?

[Shawn Kimbro]

It's unfortunate that Candy failed to explain that the legislation is aimed at protecting those pre-spawn fish so they can be killed on opening day and following.

That said, I like her compromise: "Here's a compromise: Drop the cap on the number of fishing days each week in favor of a ban on lifting the fish into the boat. It's better for the fish ( Florida does it with tarpon), and it's easily enforceable."

[Francis]

How about we push back the catch and kill season to May 1'st and allow C&R to remain as is?

I certainly think that would have a higher impact ont he fishery and wouldn't drag C&R through the sand as an irresponsible deterimental harassing practice.

[swartj]

I have no problem with that compromise.

[mlag]

Not removing the fish from the water is a reasonable compromise. One of the most senior "well respected" charter captains on the bay made the suggestion that the fish remain in the water...................................Mark

[rhahn427]

How about we push back the catch and kill season to May 1'st and allow C&R to remain as is?

I certainly think that would have a higher impact ont he fishery and wouldn't drag C&R through the sand as an irresponsible deterimental harassing practice.

I agree a later opening day ...... and a ban on catch and kill tournaments in the spring and late fall would save a multitude more than C&R ......... ..........

Also .......... Candy seems to be getting a little out of touch lately ........ wonder what's going on with her ........ hope she's ok .........

[27 sailfish]

Let's see if DNR will listen to other concerned stake holders about all the other things that were brought up.

Funny but DNR allows C/R fishing for Shad and other fish DURING the spawning run.


I think anyone who has followed this whole mess sees it for what it really is.

[Bug Guy]

OK, I was done with this whole mess, but this article has me upset. Not because it opposes my view, but because I feel it is a representation of how the process by which these changes were made is eventually going to bite us all in the ass, Rec's and Comm's alike.

What really got to me is that I see this article as result of what happens when natural resources policy is apparently better based on emotion and inuendo. Admittedly, as the process has gone on, good people have made good points on both sides. But the problem I have is with the process, and this article supports my concerns in my opinion.

First, there are real points to be made about the potential impacts of C&R in the pre-season, pro and con, and this article really didn't hit on many of them. It did however, play on emotional concerns. I mean, the description of a pre-season troller had me imagining a grainy movie, where the evil C&R fisherman with a cigar and black smoke billowing from a pipe of some sort sneaks up on the poor fish, hooks it in some evil way, and pulls it away from it's family while laughing. Then, when on board, who knows what happens to that poor "harassed" fish before being drop kicked back into the bay.

Second (and this is most important in my opinion), this article throws around words that do not necessarily support either side and does work to support those that want to stop fishing all together. The "conservatism" thing really irritates me. The new rules are being made to be "conservative", or "careful" for better or worse. They are not being made in the spirit of "conservation". The MCBA is not a conservation group. Conservation is what CBF and PETA want for fisheries.

Now we have journalists talking about how fisherman are not being "conservation" minded! Thanks Candus, we really appreciate it when many of the rec's point of view is that we need to analyze all the places that mortality is occurring. And your repeated assertion that we are better off limiting fishing for the fish's sake, can easily be extended to support these other logical arguments:

1) cutting back commercial harvest for the sake of the fish
2) cutting back recreational opportunity for the sake of the fish

because, what would be wrong with not "harassing" the fish. Here is what is wrong, by the nature of what we do we "harass the fish". I'm pretty sure those dying in the C&K season feel pretty freak'n "harassed".

You also make the assertion that fisheries should be managed on correlations that do not exist (i.e. YOY and pre-season C&R). So, when CBF shows a correlation of fishing pressure and YOY, are you going to be there saying, yup, I see a pattern, let's stop the fishing? These things happen when policy is based on emotion and innuendo.

Also, you state that protecting the fish should be the bottom line...hhmmmm...hey, I know what protects the fish...not fishing for them...all for the moratorium again to make sure we protect all the fish say "yeah!". Oh wait, this is a fishery that needs to be managed to ensure sustainability and allow some take - it's not to protect the poor, poor, troubled sea kittens from being harassed.

I'm not going to blame Candus because it was the process that has started this. People will write and talk on emotion and in that, the real arguements will be lost and eventually, the entire things will be managed on the emotions of whatever group has the loundest voice or ear of those in charge. However, maybe I'm just a crazy jackass who is wrong. We'll see I guess.

Cheers,

bob

[rick mchale]

sorry candy, the striper population is a lot healthier than the Baltimore sun. why don't you work for free to help to the Young of year I mean cash flow.

[5th Tuition]

Great; nobody knows what the impact is on the C/R fish, but lets use words like "harass". Let's have Brandon talk about putting your pregnant wife on a "roller coaster". All great visuals, if you're against C/R.
Maybe Candy should have put her article in the editoral page. Another good reason I cancled my subscription years ago.
Never thought I'd see the day C/K was promoted over C/R. 5th (Marty)

[Jas]

I think Candy’s description of spring trolling is wrong. I don’t know any responsible angler that uses a net during C&R, why would you? If they do, it’s an opportunity to educate them on a better technique.

Ted

[skipperwork]

What they don't inform the public is that the fish are already egg laden. Does anybody know how long they actually carry the eggs for? Is it a set time, or just some start early?

And a fish with eggs does not compare to a pregnant woman. Not even because the fish is just a fish. It's because the eggs in the fish have not yet been fertalized. So a better comparison would be" would you let your ovulating wife ride a roller coaster".

[jwinds]

I would be in for no cap on fishing days, no live bait or stinger hooks, caught fish must remain in the water, and push back the C & K season to May 1.

[C-Hawk18]

That said, I like her compromise: "Here's a compromise: Drop the cap on the number of fishing days each week in favor of a ban on lifting the fish into the boat. It's better for the fish ( Florida does it with tarpon), and it's easily enforceable."

How do you decide which days? Most of the pressure is on the weekends so if they only allowed it on weekday wouldn't that give the most benefit? I would think so.....but doubt most would want that.

[Alley Cat]

How about we push back the catch and kill season to May 1'st and allow C&R to remain as is?

I certainly think that would have a higher impact ont he fishery and wouldn't drag C&R through the sand as an irresponsible deterimental harassing practice.
I agree with Candus's article and pushing the start date to May 1st!

[Alley Cat]

I think Candy’s description of spring trolling is wrong. I don’t know any responsible angler that uses a net during C&R, why would you? If they do, it’s an opportunity to educate them on a better technique.

Ted Her description sounds correct to me. I was taking a boat across the bay last March and watched several boats with enough lines out to pass for an 1800 ship of the line.

[mburrows870]

I agree with leaving the fish in the water but I don't think limiting the days will do anything. People will just fish on those days. I don't think there is anyone doing C&R 6 or 7 days a week.

[27 sailfish]

Mike - We tried to bring that point up. Most of the C/R anglers go on the nice days. In March and early April - there are many windy or rainy days.
Yes , there will always be the one guy who goes out on a bad day but for the most part - it is a fair weather fishery.

I also took notice of Candus saying the fish are netted. Most C/R guys I know do not use a net. The fish are gently slipped back into the water after a quick photo.

Here's a tough one to prove but I'll toss it out. Many Rock are unhooked at boat side and released without a photo unless it is something special.

IMHO - the entire thing is BS. Limiting the number of days makes no sense at all. The average C/R guy goes fishing 1-2 times a week. If the new laws go into effect - he goes 1-2 times a week :rolleyes:. When does the average guy go - weekend.

Now , let's fast forward to 2011 - the YOY is still low. Maybe then DNR will address the killing of the big Rock.

C/R works - plain/simple.

[skirt chaser]

How about we push back the catch and kill season to May 1'st and allow C&R to remain as is?

I certainly think that would have a higher impact ont he fishery and wouldn't drag C&R through the sand as an irresponsible deterimental harassing practice.

I agree this is in the best interest of the fishery. I know many fish I caught last C&K season were still full of eggs. Lets push the C&K season to March 1st or later!

[joe117]

My boat has high sides. It's hard to net a big fish from my boat.
It isn't possible to reach the fish to unhook it without taking it out of the water.

Doesn't matter though, I'm not going to C&R. I eat the few fish that we catch.

[27 sailfish]

:hysterical::hysterical: - That would make too much sense. Take time to research the people on the DNR boards and the ASMFC - then you'll see why that great idea will never happen.

[swartj]

I agree this is in the best interest of the fishery. I know many fish I caught last C&K season were still full of eggs. Lets push the C&K season to March 1st or later!
My guess is you meant May 1st

[Fish nut]

I am glad this was brought up Silver FOX I think each person should write every sate voting member in the ASMFC and the corresponding Management departments in each state. These departments need to be informed of the current article released by Candus and of the great job Maryland is doing in the name of Conservation and Caution. We should also forward all of the research and concerns that were herd in support of our current path. It is time we air out all of dirty laundry. Let the ASMC know how committed we are to playing politics so we can support killing and continue to exploit the fish.

there is no room for C&R ther are swimming dollars in our bay lets go collect our pay check

[fishinblues]

How about better restrictions on the northern states fisheries.

Looks like they have the opportunity to keep the breeders. NO CLOSED SESON!

Here are Maine’s regulations:
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
OPEN SEASON January 1 through December 31, inclusive (except the Kennebec watershed, see below).
BAG & SIZE LIMITS A person may take and possess 1 fish per day. The fish may be between 20 and 26 inches total length, inclusive, OR 40 inches or greater in total length.

[Francis]

Let's see if DNR will listen to other concerned stake holders about all the other things that were brought up.

Funny but DNR allows C/R fishing for Shad and other fish DURING the spawning run.


I think anyone who has followed this whole mess sees it for what it really is.

Skip: I copied this off of the DNR web site

--------------------------------------
Hickory and American Shad

Changes in regulations may allow catch-and-release fishing on a previously closed fishery. American and hickory shad have been protected in Maryland since 1980 and 1981, respectively, by moratoria because of low population size. During the mid-1990's the numbers of hickory shad returning to spawn in Deer Creek, a tributary to the Susquehanna River, and a few other streams, appeared to be increasing. Along with this apparent increase in population was an increase in angling activity for these fish. In 1996, the regulation that prohibited harvest of these species was changed to allow catch-and-release fishing. To evaluate the effects of this fishery a study was conducted to evaluate the survival of hickory shad caught and released in Deer Creek. Over a four week period in April and May 1996, 150 hickory shad were caught and used as test specimens in ten trials. Participating anglers caught hickory shad using single hooked artificial lures with 6-7 weight fly rods. Fish were transported to holding tanks set up on the shoreline. A pump supplied creek water to the tanks using a flow through system. Survival was monitored 48 hours. No fish died in any of the trials and they appeared healthy and vigorous when released. Hickory shad that were foul hooked were used as well as lip hooked fish when it became apparent that foul hooking was not an uncommon occurrence. Fish were marked at the time of release. Weekly surveys to search for dead fish in the stream were conducted concurrent with the study. These surveys documented a few dead hickory shad in Deer Creek that had physical damage compatible with hooking. None of the observed mortalities had marks indicating they were released test fish.


In April and May of 1997 a similar tank study was conducted which evaluated the survival of American shad caught and released below Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River. Volunteer anglers, who used spinning tackle and artificial lures, caught 309 American shad. These fish were used in 13 trials that ran for 48 hours each. Mortality was less than 1%.


These two studies indicated that the change in regulation to allow catch-and-release fishing for these protected species did not jeopardize stock recovery by causing a high rate of angler induced mortality.

Source: Recreational Catch-and-Release Mortality Research in Maryland (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/articles/crmortalityresearch.html)

[Matt]

C&R trollers are their own worst enemy. Dragging 20 lines with three people on the boat was going to get negative airtime. Unfortunately the dogmatic hypocritical approach taken by opponents is laughable, and the precedent they willing to set is unacceptable.

[bone-a-fide]

Harrassing the fish. Wow, now I've heard it all. Pretty sure every single fish ever caught by hook and line felt pretty harrassed! I think I have a new term. Anyone want to harrass some fish today?

[Francis]

C&R trollers are their own worst enemy. Dragging 20 lines with three people on the boat was going to get negative airtime. Unfortunately the dogmatic hypocritical approach taken by opponents is laughable, and the precedent they willing to set is unacceptable.

Matt, you and I are never going to agree on this and I understand, but I don't see the difference between trolling 20 rods and jigging the fish. I don't think more are killed either way.

[fishinblues]

Yes but that's because there's not a whole lot of fishing going on in Maine between October and May. IT"S TOO COLD

It is not that it is to cold.

The breeders are in Maine duringe the summer months.

Here is another one to chew up, and smoke in your pipe:
Mass. Fishing regulations
Striped Bass - All Year 28 in 2 fish

Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries: Striped Bass - Species Profile (http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/recreationalfishing/stripedbass.htm)

This is a striped bass migration summary:

[Matt]

Matt, you and I are never going to agree on this and I understand, but I don't see the difference between trolling 20 rods and jigging the fish. I don't think more are killed either way.

Trolling allows boats full of unskilled anglers to catch fish in open water conditions where large striped bass can be very difficult to catch jigging. The fisheries management term is "effort" with a 20 rod spread you're applying 19 more rods of effort toward the same goal, and you have to because with only six rods our odds are no longer very good. Ten years ago we only needed 6 rods to get fish. Now we need 20 rods. The monster spread is a classic fishing response to fewer fish, i.e. apply more pressure. Also, trolling is commonly considered meatfishing. As stated, trolling in general is a method of fishing that allows less skilled fishermen to put meat in the box. A boat full of novices can leverage off one guys experience to kill many fish quickly, with only one person having skill equipment experience. In this respect there's no comparison between trolling 20 rods and jigging. Maryland's trolling seasons are all about putting meat in the box. Its all about killing large fish as quickly as possible. Because of this fact, there is virtually no difference between trolling the monster spread and running a longline, except the kind of bait. A rod to angler ratio more than about 2 per angler is commonly considered unsporting abd in many states it is illegal. One guy jigging with one rod and one artificial lure is commonly considered sporting. One guy with one rod releasing fish caught on an artificial single barbless hook is commonly considered the most sporting, most ethical. Other than that, there's no difference between trolling 20 rods and jigging.

[Bug Guy]

C&R trollers are their own worst enemy. Dragging 20 lines with three people on the boat was going to get negative airtime. Unfortunately the dogmatic hypocritical approach taken by opponents is laughable, and the precedent they willing to set is unacceptable.

Matt,

but you have to agree that at some point, someone will be able to make an argument similar to this about commercial fisherman. What happens when the actions of a few commercial guys is perceived as negative by a group with a voice to the DNR and restrictions are put forth without science? Especially now that we are using the word "conservation", which means to conserve, i.e., to not kill (or harass), the precedent has been set. What is troubling is that you are not alone to think that those fishing the pre-season got what they deserved, like it was a personal thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but that sentiment seems common in all this.

And while you have an opinion on what is sporting versus what is not (which you have a right to), we cannot manage a fishery based on what is "sporting". Yes, the "sporting" ways of fishing do often correlate to less fish killed, but not always. What if I had to fight a big cow caught on ultra light tackle for an hour. That's pretty sporting but would likely have impacts to the fish. What about throwing a plug with three treble hooks...we've all been there and know a fish thrashing about can easily hook itself in the gills or eyes. Again, non-trolling methods may be more "sporting", but may not really relate to lower mortality. We need to manage to what will be best for sustaining the population, which relates to mortality, reproduction, and growth.

Again, my point is not that C&R by trolling should be left unchecked, rather it is that this policy is currently based on opinion, innuendo, personal vendettas, and greed, and has set a precedent where fisheries will be managed that way. Time will tell if the groups that really hate fishing will get to partake in this new process.

In addition, I better not hear a peep from the MCBA when people start proposing rule changes such as "circle hooks, year round, for all bait fishing, including live lining" when they've been trumpeting the "conservationlike" approach to the C&R season.

[LY2000]

I don't like the way Candy described MD Rec catch and release as the practice of dumping stripers back in to the water. Every rec I see do it gently revitalizes the fish boat side but I have seen more than a few charters "dump" the fish back over.

If they are so worried about YOY, push the catch and kill season to May 15.

Flawed article on a flawed way to save the resource.

[jhub]

If they are so worried about YOY, push the catch and kill season to May 15.



And limit Rec's & Com's to 1 per person per day 18"-32", that will cut the amount of fish taken by 50%.

[attml]

I want to know what knucklehead took Candace fishing and decided to punch every fish in the stomach that was caught? He is screwing up everything for the rest of us! God knows we don't care about the fish! We are all just a bunch of stomach punchers! What's the fun in catching them if you can't be rough on them? :rolleyes: This is what happens when people who have no idea about how things truely work get their nose into the mix! We could probably close Starbucks if we start throwing around inuendo that pregnant females might be affected in some way by drinking their coffee!

[Matt]

Matt,

but you have to agree that at some point, someone will be able to make an argument similar to this about commercial fisherman. What happens when the actions of a few commercial guys is perceived as negative by a group with a voice to the DNR and restrictions are put forth without science? Especially now that we are using the word "conservation", which means to conserve, i.e., to not kill (or harass), the precedent has been set. What is troubling is that you are not alone to think that those fishing the pre-season got what they deserved, like it was a personal thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but that sentiment seems common in all this.

And while you have an opinion on what is sporting versus what is not (which you have a right to), we cannot manage a fishery based on what is "sporting". Yes, the "sporting" ways of fishing do often correlate to less fish killed, but not always. What if I had to fight a big cow caught on ultra light tackle for an hour. That's pretty sporting but would likely have impacts to the fish. What about throwing a plug with three treble hooks...we've all been there and know a fish thrashing about can easily hook itself in the gills or eyes. Again, non-trolling methods may be more "sporting", but may not really relate to lower mortality. We need to manage to what will be best for sustaining the population, which relates to mortality, reproduction, and growth.

Again, my point is not that C&R by trolling should be left unchecked, rather it is that this policy is currently based on opinion, innuendo, personal vendettas, and greed, and has set a precedent where fisheries will be managed that way. Time will tell if the groups that really hate fishing will get to partake in this new process.

In addition, I better not hear a peep from the MCBA when people start proposing rule changes such as "circle hooks, year round, for all bait fishing, including live lining" when they've been trumpeting the "conservationlike" approach to the C&R season.

A few points. I think any time fishermen make bad decisions, ranging from taking too many fish to breaking the rules, those fishermen cause us all to be perceived negatively. Fishery management agencies can and have placed restrictions on fishing primarily because of perception. We don't always need science. Personally I like the idea that managers will use precaution when risk and uncertainty is not adequately bounded. Good conservation demands it. The word conservation, I think, means wise or careful use to prevent depletion. It does not mean "to not kill." In that light, trolling is fine. Deploying too much gear no matter what kind of fishing, however, becomes troublesome. Whether you're a rec or a comm, there's a limit to how much gear we can all use at the same time and still be within a range of wise or careful. Putting things in terms of wise or careful is not always easy to characterize with complete objectivity. This stuff gets to our system of values, beliefs, and opinions. For example, I value a healthy bay at least as much as I value my privledge to harvest fish. In those terms, I would gladly accept strict harvesting limits. I would love to see Maryland go back to a system of tags, like we had after thhe moratorium. That would be good for fish populations, good for the bay, and good for the future of fishing. I would also strongly support a rule to limit gear. I think gear restrictions are a better healthier way to manage effort, more consistent with time tested, successful fishery strategies. We can characterize this stuff as sporting or ethical or whatever. In the end these are just rules to manage effort. Having a race to see who put the most bait in the water is not good conservation. It’s a good way to deplete the fish. With all that said, until the state attempts the time tested strategies like limits on gear and or tags, I strongly object to untested unfair ambiguous unintelligent strategies like telling me what days I can fish.

[tksmitty]

"Let's not harrass the Stripers" but, lets kill thousands upon thousands of them in starting in mid April. The hipocrasy of this whole situation is really starting to irk me. People continue to paint the picture however they like to support thier position but won't look at the entire picture.

I do whole heartly agree with something Matt posted above. The increased effort (read # of rods and planer boards for everyone) to catch a 1/2 dozen fish has dramatically increased in the last 5 - 10 years and I agree that the increase in effort is a sign of a fishery with less fish. 10 years ago if you would have told people it would take a trolling spread with 20+ rods to catch a few rockfish in 6 hours they would have called you crazy. Now the average rec guy is trolling 12+ rods and charters over 20.

Something needs to be done very soon to correct the situation and PSCR is not what needs to be looked at however, the goal for some is to draw so much attention to it that the ASMFC will actually believe it has a significant impact and in turn some user groups can continue to do the real damage (trophy season) because they threw the ASMFC a bone.

Very Sad.

[one fish]

HI Candy,
Your quote below. I don't think you put a lot of thought into this before coming up with this compromise.

That said, I like her compromise: "Here's a compromise: Drop the cap on the number of fishing days each week in favor of a ban on lifting the fish into the boat. It's better for the fish ( Florida does it with tarpon), and it's easily enforceable."
__________________

"Florida does it with tarpon"??? Does what?? releases 100 lb tarpon while the boat is trolling 3 mph???
I have never tarpon fished, but the shows I have seen the boats are drifting/poleing.

Has Candy ever tried to dehooked a 30-40 lb rock while leaning over a high, or even normal height side of the boat, going 3 mph, with other lines still in the water? Throw in 2-3 foot waves, yeah , that is gonna get someone hurt.

I think her intentions are good, but not practical. I'm leaning over the side for a minute and I'm finished fishing for a month (back). Not to mention the danger of getting the 8 oz parachute hook in your hand. If you net the fish, you're bring it in the boat. If you boga the fish, you're bringing it in the boat. If you grab the lure, you're bringing it to the boat, unless there can be an easy release. But, many times that is not the case.
That leaves leaning over the boat, bent over, hand wrestling a 30-40lb striper at 3 mph.
Not a good situation.
Not a safe situation.

[rhahn427]

Let's see if DNR will listen to other concerned stake holders about all the other things that were brought up.

Funny but DNR allows C/R fishing for Shad and other fish DURING the spawning run.


I think anyone who has followed this whole mess sees it for what it really is.

........ And what about all of the catch and return with all of the bass fishermen ....... the whole industry is based on that ..........

[rhahn427]

HI Candy,
Your quote below. I don't think you put a lot of thought into this before coming up with this compromise.

That said, I like her compromise: "Here's a compromise: Drop the cap on the number of fishing days each week in favor of a ban on lifting the fish into the boat. It's better for the fish ( Florida does it with tarpon), and it's easily enforceable."
__________________

"Florida does it with tarpon"??? Does what?? releases 100 lb tarpon while the boat is trolling 3 mph???
I have never tarpon fished, but the shows I have seen the boats are drifting/poleing.

Has Candy ever tried to dehooked a 30-40 lb rock while leaning over a high, or even normal height side of the boat, going 3 mph, with other lines still in the water? Throw in 2-3 foot waves, yeah , that is gonna get someone hurt.

I think her intentions are good, but not practical. I'm leaning over the side for a minute and I'm finished fishing for a month (back). Not to mention the danger of getting the 8 oz parachute hook in your hand. If you net the fish, you're bring it in the boat. If you boga the fish, you're bringing it in the boat. If you grab the lure, you're bringing it to the boat, unless there can be an easy release. But, many times that is not the case.
That leaves leaning over the boat, bent over, hand wrestling a 30-40lb striper at 3 mph.
Not a good situation.
Not a safe situation.

Have you ever read an article about Candice's fishing trips .......... I don't remember reading any .......... can anyone post one?

[kwk]

One Fish: In Washington State we're not allowed to bring out-of-season salmon "inside the gunwale"; and, yes, this is while trolling in 2-3' waves. And the fish have teeth ... Of course, we're limited to one rod per angler and single-point barbless hooks ...

[blue lou]

It is not that it is to cold.

The breeders are in Maine duringe the summer months.

Here is another one to chew up, and smoke in your pipe:
Mass. Fishing regulations
Striped Bass - All Year 28 in 2 fish

Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries: Striped Bass - Species Profile (http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/recreationalfishing/stripedbass.htm)

This is a striped bass migration summary:

You can't be that obtuse? can you?

[5th Tuition]

OK; this is something I really didn't want to do. I hate to see one rec group go after another. Is 15 rods trolling "sporting"? Is only one rod per angler the only "sporting" method? Those wanting the C/R closed love to see us infighting. I do troll 15 rods, I do PSCR, and I do about 6 trips before the season starts. I have a 22 ft boat so I am looking for good weather. No rain, little wind, and hopefully some sunshine to help heat the plastics lined cockpit to a toasty 50-55 degrees. A great day for me would be to pick up 6 to 8 fish each trip. This lets me know my spread is working and it makes it worth my time to burn some gas left over from the winter. Most every fish is released unharmed. Have I "harassed" this fish (I don't know). Will she refuse to release her UNFERTALIZED eggs (I don't know). Has increased effort been given to this type of fishing (yes). How much increase (I don't know). For every one of the "I don't know's"; DNR also says "I don't know".

But here's something I do know. This summer, I went on a ltj trip with a guide. There were three of us aboard. We chased birds and caught lots of fish. The guide had to report the number of fish caught that day. He turned to us and said, Well boys, what do you think? Is 225 a good number? We all agreed it was a good approximation. We used large poppers with a small trailing fly for topwater action. We used metal lures like stingsilvers for bottom jigging. I know we killed lots of fish that day, even though we did all C/R. Lots of rock "swallowed" the fly and came to the boat bleeding from the gills. Many of them jigged off the bottom were hooked in the head, the belly, or sides. I'm not sure of the number of fish that died, but I know it was many more than I caught during PSCR. Sure, they were 15 - 17 inch fish instead of the 38 - 42 inch fish. But they were fish that would never live long enough to enter the breeding population.

I did that ONCE this summer and didn't like the results. We didn't do it again, and I'm not looking to do it in the future. Would I like to try ltj at the rips, and catching 5- 6 big fish and releaseing them unharmed; you bet!!!! Would I like to learn how to ltj around the bridge pileings to catch a couple over and unders instead of livelinning in the summer; you bet. Are ltj people "sporting"; you bet. Are trollers "sporting"; I think so.

I don't want to see ltj curtailed; and I would hope they wouldn't call for my type of fishing to be curtailed. I only mention this experience because it shows that a single angler with a single rod can do lots of damage. Don't be so quick to call for trolling to be curtailed, because your type of fishing may just be next on the chopping block. 5th (Marty)

[goose70]

One Fish: In Washington State we're not allowed to bring out-of-season salmon "inside the gunwale"; and, yes, this is while trolling in 2-3' waves. And the fish have teeth ... Of course, we're limited to one rod per angler and single-point barbless hooks ...

Spare us your left coast, twisted liberal, fruits & nuts ways.:pp Things operate a little different here in God's Country. I'll bet that you're required to eat only organic-certified granola while trolling, too.;-)

Seriously, the fish over the gunnel rule seems fine with me.

I like Candy, but the primary issue I have with her article is that it's largely based on an incorrect premise. Most late-winter/early Spring C&R anglers aren't simply practicing for the C&K season. Rather, they're enjoying the Bay when the water is clear, the boat traffic is light and -- most importantly -- the water temp and DO levels are such that C&R mortality is likely near zilch. A few restrictions (barbless hooks, no fish in the boat, etc.) seems reasonable, but otherwise going after that group, and that part of the season, in the name of conservation strikes me as truly twisted.

[B-Faithful]

I dont harrass the stripers in the preseason, I molest them. Molest is defined as to disturb, interfere with, or annoy.

Her article uses emotion, defies logic, and doesnt include facts.... First of all the MSSA did not propose status quo and I believe recommended options to ensure a lessened impact as a result of the fishery. She needed to look not further than their website for facts: http://www.mssa.net/newsarticles/news09catchandrel110209.pdf Through her article it is clear she doesnt understand the positions or what really is at stake over this issue. I am glad I dont get the Sun..

[Wild Bill]

What Greg said. This is not one of Candy's better efforts.




I dont harrass the stripers in the preseason, I molest them. Molest is defined as to disturb, interfere with, or annoy.

Her article uses emotion, defies logic, and doesnt include facts.... First of all the MSSA did not propose status quo and I believe recommended options to ensure a lessened impact as a result of the fishery. She needed to look not further than their website for facts: http://www.mssa.net/newsarticles/news09catchandrel110209.pdf Through her article it is clear she doesnt understand the positions or what really is at stake over this issue. I am glad I dont get the Sun..

[Barefoot]

Spare us your left coast, twisted liberal, fruits & nuts ways.:pp Things operate a little different here in God's Country. I'll bet that you're required to eat only organic-certified granola while trolling, too.;-)

Just don't get him started on recycling.

[kwk]

They're also going to prohibit bottom fishing in depths greater than 120' since the rockfish (real rockfish ...) are almost gone. And let me tell you about the recycling ...