Catch & Release a Go or No?

[Rod Bender II]

I was just on the DNR website, gosh it has been a while. I see they tried to pass a law that there will be no catch and release. Did this get passed? Or is it still in the air? I am just about to get all my stuff put together and ready for March, and sorry if this was asked a couple of weeks ago.

[Hunter]

You can still C&R but with a 'few' restrictions during the spawn run. It has been covered EXTENSIVELY here on this board. Check over on the Conservation and policy board for a few specifics, or do a search.

If you wait awhile, you will find this thread over there:yes:

[B-Faithful]

On Feb. 17 the DNR can adopt proposed regulations (or adopt proposed regulations with slight changes). On Feb. 26 the final decision appears in Maryland Register. Law would go into effect on March 8th.

I personally am hoping that DNR drops the rod restrictions on trolling from the proposal based on the fact that they dont have any evidence that those trolling are catching more fish than those fishing another method, that trolling is more harmful to a fish caught, and that they dont have a level effort that they are trying to achieve. I also dont think they have done an economic impact evaluation of the regulation they are proposing despite the lack of information of the fishery. This at a time of year when local tackle shops are at their slowest. A gear restriction will only further slow their business during this already financially slow time of year. Besides the rod limitation goes beyond just ensuring the lowest mortality rates.

[night nurse]

if we are to go barbless does this lead to alot of tackle being messed up by pinching down the barbs?I don't have the cash to have a C&R set up and then a catch and keep set. I can understant the stinger hooks (just take them off) but, messing up my jigs? I am NOT down with that.

TED

[5th Tuition]

Here's hoping they drop the rod restrictions as well. 5th (Marty)

[night nurse]

I can deal with the rod restriction but not messing with my tackle,,,
the rod thing will just cause us to burn more fule and pay more tax to the govt.
money maker for the govt which ":looks" good envromentaly wise. Just my .2

TED

[crabby and son]

Whatever the final decision is..........you can believe it will have nothing to do with the fish..............Gary

[27 sailfish]

Crushing the barb on the hook won't cost you too many fish as long as tension is kept tight. It might pay to use soft tip rods rather then the real heavy gear.

If the 6 rod limit stays - you are only looking at mashing the barbs on 6 to 12 lures - depending on how many tandems you pull.

Grab some used lures at the upcoming flea markets - mash those barbs down for your C/R lures. Or use your older lures and buy new stuff for the kill season.

I use a Mustad 34007 as a stinger. This hook has a small eye. I often have to mash the lure hook barb in order to slip it over. Most of my lures are barbless already. I'll have to touch them with a file - just to get rid of the nub.

[LILY]

How and the hell are they going to police the barb issue? I don't use stingers until C&K. I'm not going to smash my barbs down for nobody. I will however go with only 6 rods,

Phil(lily)

[Salmo trutta]

The Potomac has had the barbless hook rule during the catch and release season for a while now. They enforce it by pulling you over and checking what rod you were using and if you were jigging, that's easy. Trolling... I guess they''d ask you to pull in all your rods. Got a ticket while jigging with barbs once on the Pot. It wasn't cheap.

[Rod Bender II]

Guys appreciate you bringing me up to par. Both of the proposed regulations (barbs and rod count) sound like pretty reasonable regulations. I mean its only for C&R, but the changing of rigs is a pain in the butt!.....That just gives me an excuse to be out in the garage for hours, having a few cold ones!

[paxfish]

We mash the barbs on all of our jigs and flies with no ill effect. And it just makes sense to reduce damage to the fish

Folks who are new to fishing may lose a few fish here and there, but they quickly learn how to keep pressure on when bringing them to the boat.

[bone-a-fide]

If you remove the barb during C&R, you will still have a barbed stinger during C&K if you use the same baits

[maestro]

On Feb. 17 the DNR can adopt proposed regulations (or adopt proposed regulations with slight changes). On Feb. 26 the final decision appears in Maryland Register. Law would go into effect on March 8th.

I personally am hoping that DNR drops the rod restrictions on trolling from the proposal based on the fact that they dont have any evidence that those trolling are catching more fish than those fishing another method, that trolling is more harmful to a fish caught, and that they dont have a level effort that they are trying to achieve. I also dont think they have done an economic impact evaluation of the regulation they are proposing despite the lack of information of the fishery. This at a time of year when local tackle shops are at their slowest. A gear restriction will only further slow their business during this already financially slow time of year. Besides the rod limitation goes beyond just ensuring the lowest mortality rates.

Was there a final decision on this on Feb 26th? Were these proposed regulations adopted?

[B-Faithful]

Was there a final decision on this on Feb 26th? Were these proposed regulations adopted?

To my understanding, things got pushed back some due to the weather. I havent seen if the regulations were adopted in their proposed form or not. The regulations page does have the effective date of the regulations listed as March 22nd now though.

See here: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/proposedregulations.asp

Just to throw something out there because it amazed me. Some of the biggest supporters of shutting down access to fishing during the preseason with no known science were at the United We Fish rally in DC demanding greater flexability in the MSA so fishing isnt unjustly shut down over the use of bad science.. Ironic or not, you be the judge.

[Alley Cat]

I can deal with the rod restriction but not messing with my tackle,,,
the rod thing will just cause us to burn more fule and pay more tax to the govt.
money maker for the govt which ":looks" good envromentaly wise. Just my .2

TEDHow will this cause you to burn more fuel? You will only be going out for C&R fun anyway and you might save fuel by pulling less drag

[Fish nut]

Just to throw something out there because it amazed me. Some of the biggest supporters of shutting down access to fishing during the preseason with no known science were at the United We Fish rally in DC demanding greater flexability in the MSA so fishing isnt unjustly shut down over the use of bad science.. Ironic or not, you be the judge.


Yes these people are feathering ther own nest. Its all about what in ther best intrest. By the way guys the Potomac is a different fishery no rod restrictions.

[B-Faithful]

Regulation maps for striped bass have been updated

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/sbrecseasons/sbregmap02.html

[BILL H]

Regulation maps for striped bass have been updated

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/sbrecseasons/sbregmap02.html
This link still shows the 2009 regulations. Time warp?

[BILL H]

This link still shows the 2009 regulations. Time warp?

Brain warp actually, I cleared my history, and now see the 2010 maps. Thanks for the link.