HRBT 3/5

[Linstad]

Ohhhh yeah!....perfect night at the HRBT! Current flowing, no wind blowin, big fish up in the lights...

First fish was a 32.....I sight casted to this big fattie in the light line, just as I got her against my yak....SNAP! my shock leader broke! I swear my hand never moved so fast, my thumb clamping firmly onto her lower lip, and with a single swift motion I had my biggest striper yet sitting on my lap...after a little photo shoot, I sent her on her way with a kiss and a splash.....the rest of the night was filled with 20-26" schoolies (WOW!) I finished my night with a pig of a 30"....these HRBT fish are FAT! I was so tired on the way home, I ain't really sure how I got there, but I made it with enough time to re-live the nights events over and over in my dreams.......this morning I am dead to the world...my students are taking computer tests...yay!...and through alternating sips of coffee and mountain dew only these words come to my mind.....

I AM SO GLAD I DIDN"T STAY HOME TO WATCH THE ACADEMY AWARDS!!!!!

fish on!----chris

[Cory ruthless Routh]

Nice! Weather Permitting, I am going to go tonight,,,anyone else in?

[kcussick]

what time?

[Linstad]

http://members.cox.net/christonlinstad/Big32.jpg

[dgrim]

Im thinking of trying the HRBT this weekend but Im a little unclear as to the laws pertaining to c&r striper. Is it mandatory that you remove the barbs from your hooks? I read that somewhere but Ive never targeted striper out of season so I'm not sure exactly how that works. I would think a guy throwing storms in early March is only looking for one thing. Thanks in advance.


D

[Fisherman]

Actually, we're targeting oystertoads, those pesky striper keep getting in the way. You can catch and release striper in the bay out of season - even register release citations. No law on barbless hooks but it's not a bad idea.

Ric

[fishfool]

I think the law is written to leave the discretion to the officer. I think is is basicy uninforcable, as everyone is actually fishing for toads and trout. I think it is written as a trump card if they ever really needed to crack down on c&r, such as in the late eightees. Also, it may serve to the officers discretion, like if he were to see someone really being stupid and ripping the hooks out or kicking a striper off a pier into the water (as I have seen with shad) or just for being a dumba$$. I am glad it is written like that.

[Cory ruthless Routh]

In VA waters, it is a possesion law, and to an officer, posession means that it is obvious that you intended to keep the fish (e.g in a cooler, livewell,stringer etc.) It says you cannot possess striped bass, not that you cannot target them. It is pretty easy to enforce.