No stripers in NC yet to speak of - good news for the population and MD fishery?

[Harlan seller]

There is a definite lack of stripers in NC because of the warm water temps and the fish have not moved that far south yet (if at all) - probably YTBD). Will there be a benefit for the MD rec fishery?
Not as many fish will be caught in NC commercially or recreationally this year the way it appears now.
Anyone know what the average NC take is between the 2?

Generally by now Oregon Inlet has multiple charters for stripers going out each day - right now there is nothing.
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/....cfm?ccat_id=1

From my conversations with a charter boat captain out of OC last weekend, alot of the fish are still in northern VA and southern MD waters. He has actually run 2 charters a day for stripers a few times during the last couple of weeks. He said alot of the VA boats are running north to get to the fish.

Obviously the warm winter we're having could negatively impact the MD trophy season as well. If the fish move in here earlier if the Bay warms up more quickly, they'll be gone alot earlier than usual as well.

I am looking at this as a potential positive for the MD trophy season and the population overall. If I am missing any glaring facts that would contradict my opinion, I'm all ears.
Im just hoping for a better trophy season than the last couple we've had.

Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Best,
Jim

[cletus9000]

I doubt it. They are getting hammered in VA right now in the ocean. Best I can tell from the reports on the VA board, no one has ever heard of not keeping a full limit of big fish, even though one will provide plenty of meat for a lot of people. But I hope you're right...

[jumbo1]

Anything that limits the fish kill in the Md spring season is good for the fish...let's hope they spawn and get out of here before the trolling season opens..
As far as NC goes..if warm temps keep them away from the trawlers there...good for everyone..

[Wild Bill]

I think it is a very good thing. I believe the slaughter by trawlers in NC is far more devastating than anything going on in VA or MD. I fish all three states and think mild winters are very good for the fish. I like fishing in NC but it is hard to experience the destruction and waste of striped bass caused by the trawlers.

At any rate there is nothing we can do about the weather--can only be thankful and take advantage of it when it breaks our way.

[rla69]

[QUOTE=jumbo1;1808000]Anything that limits the fish kill in the Md spring season is good for the fish...let's hope they spawn and get out of here before the trolling season opens..
As far as NC goes..if warm temps keep them away from the trawlers there...good for everyone..[/QU



If the rec's in North Carolina want to make the run and fish in Va.i'm fine with that.I hope the trawlers down there never see another school of stripers.

[harmat]

I think it is a very good thing. I believe the slaughter by trawlers in NC is far more devastating than anything going on in VA or MD. I fish all three states and think mild winters are very good for the fish. I like fishing in NC but it is hard to experience the destruction and waste of striped bass caused by the trawlers

X2

[Karl B.]

Anything that limits the fish kill in the Md spring season is good for the fish...let's hope they spawn and get out of here before the trolling season opens..
As far as NC goes..if warm temps keep them away from the trawlers there...good for everyone..

.............That sure would be great for all the charter boats wouldnt it?

[Marcus]

I think it is a very good thing. I believe the slaughter by trawlers in NC is far more devastating than anything going on in VA or MD. I fish all three states and think mild winters are very good for the fish. I like fishing in NC but it is hard to experience the destruction and waste of striped bass caused by the trawlers.

At any rate there is nothing we can do about the weather--can only be thankful and take advantage of it when it breaks our way.

x3 just mentioned that to Pete last week...

[27 sailfish]

IMHO - it's a flip of the coin which is better. Cold weather - Rock get caught by NC trawlers , mild winter they get caught off Va. Beach.

The milder temperatures have kept the Rock inside the 3 mile limit so many more are being caught off Va. Beach then last year.

Check out the Va board - lots of huge Rock being weighed in at tackle shops. Think there were a few over 60lbs just this week.


Really does not if 50,000 big Rock are killed off NC or Va Beach during winter - they are gone for good.

One positive of a mild winter - some big Rock will enter the bay , which is closed to legal harvest. One snag there is illegal nets but hopefully few are doing that this year.

Our trophy season opens April 21st this year - we might see less fish if they spawn earlier and have left the bay when season opens.

[Wild Bill]

Skip-

Have you actually seen three solid miles of floating dead or dying stripers 1/2 mile wide? It leaves a lasting impression. A few poor quality pics do not do it, nor does a verbal description. In no way do I believe the VA Beach boats inside or outside the fence kill anywhere near as many. Neither of us can prove our point, but the NC deal was a nightmare to those who actually saw it firsthand.