Sad State of affairs

[fishy]

When a guy has to target trigger fish for business just tells you where this is going. I feel bad for you guys I'm getting close to retirement age got my ticket almost 20 years ago thinking i'll maybe be able to do some stuff just to keep working guess that isn't going to happen. This hobby of ours is slowly being taken away. Last time i went fluking was almost $100 a pound for the 1 keeper.

[dakota560]

When a guy has to target trigger fish for business just tells you where this is going. I feel bad for you guys I'm getting close to retirement age got my ticket almost 20 years ago thinking i'll maybe be able to do some stuff just to keep working guess that isn't going to happen. This hobby of ours is slowly being taken away. Last time i went fluking was almost $100 a pound for the 1 keeper.

The consequences of misguided legislation are killing the businesses dependent on these fisheries. Your comments are right on target. Capt. Ron said it before, the days of targeting a specific fish are over, now party and charter boats as well as recreational anglers have to target sea bass, fluke, triggers, porgies, sea robins, miniature blue fish, scad mackerel. maybe a winter flounder or two, some ling, a dink whiting etc. and whatever else they can catch to put some fish in coolers for their patrons spending on average $200 plus for the cost of an entire trip with travel, food, beverages and fare costs all considered. And that assumes seasons are even open for all those species. Won't be long at this pace before sea robins, sun dials and silver eels will be making up a majority of recreational catch. Sad state of affairs indeed.

[Detour66]

There is no lack of decent sized target species. It just lack of fish that are keeper size. Throwing back 17" Fluke all day and coming home with nothing can be discouraging for sure! Especially when you spend $70 for a boat ride. So now everyone is keeping everything that is possibly edible. Before you know it there will regulations on those fish also. It certainly does seem the powers to be are trying to put an end to this sport and way of life and the people who stand to lose the most like boat manufactures, tackle companies, bait suppliers etc etc are just sitting back and doing nothing about it.

[togzilla]

This is all by design to collapse the party & charter boat business

[AndyS]

Fishing is awesome in Massachusetts and North Carolina, you are not a tree, MOVE !!!

[dakota560]

Fishing is awesome in Massachusetts and North Carolina, you are not a tree, MOVE !!!

Think things are rosy in NC, think again. Read article posts in the following two links, sound familiar.

https://obxtoday.com/h2o/marine-fisheries-commission-likely-to-shut-down-flounder-fishing-this-august/

https://www.thehulltruth.com/sportfishing-charters-forum/1016525-closing-recreational-flounder-nc.html

[1captainron]

This is all by design to collapse the party & charter boat business

And they are doing an Excellent job!!:mad:

[Capt Sal]

Fishing is awesome in Massachusetts and North Carolina, you are not a tree, MOVE !!!

You are so far off it is comical!Every state is being hit.From Red Snapper to Cobia .Here in Florida they opened Red Snapper and the limit is ONE!Not worth the fuel.Do you realize how many for hire boats went out of business in Massachusetts?

[Capt Joe]

Yea but don’t we feel safe , Pout is closed year round. Can we all spell *******S!:mad:A-HOLES!

[Capt John]

And they are doing an Excellent job!!:mad:

Totally and emphatically agree Capt.

[NoLimit]

Believe it or not, there are those in Govt that want everyone dependent on them. That’s how they stay in power with ever growing bureaucracies. Catching your own food? Forget about it

[PortlyRedhead]

When a guy has to target trigger fish for business just tells you where this is going. I feel bad for you guys I'm getting close to retirement age got my ticket almost 20 years ago thinking i'll maybe be able to do some stuff just to keep working guess that isn't going to happen. This hobby of ours is slowly being taken away. Last time i went fluking was almost $100 a pound for the 1 keeper.

Thank you for your generous keystrokes. What sacrifices are you willing to make to ensure that there are fish available to subsequent generations?