Striper Regulations Poll

[Gerry Zagorski]

Although none of these options have been approved to meet our conservation equivalency yet and are not approved by the ASMFC, how are you leaning here?

[ALS Mako]

1 @ 24" to 32" .

[Suckafish]

1@ 24”-34” and One trophy fish with permit and let the fisherman and charter captains decide on ethics. More I think about it people might be right we’ll never get it back once it’s gone!!!!

[hammer4reel]

Stripers are one of the only fish that has has drastic size limit changes that we did give and get back.
Not saying that will happen again .

I think with most states going to 28” to35” that’s what we will end up seeing .

That spreads the fish over a 5 to 6 year span of age class fish.
Also will keep commercial fishing to no quota , which is good for us .

.and only takes 5 years for fish to hit that’s replacement size .

.

[dales529]

Latest as far as I have heard:

Last week the ASMFC considered motions presented for conservation equivalency options to the standard 28" - <35". The majority of state proposals for CE were rejected, including all of NJ's, with a couple of exceptions...VA could go 28" - <36" and RI could consider CE proposals with slot limits with a max size of up to 40". The message from the Board was clear, limit big fish harvest. Keep in mind, however, that having been charged with achieving an 18% reduction, NJ at 28 - <35 would be an approx. 47% reduction for NJ, while many other states by implementing the same measure would be reducing in the single digits.

As the meeting progressed, NJ delegation decided to put forth a motion to be allowed to develop a CE proposal to achieve at least an 18% reduction via a slot limit with a max size no greater than 40". The motion passed.

NJ delegation goals were -
1) Considering measures that were within the guidelines of the required state reductions (18%) for the conservation of the resource;
2) Providing NJ's diverse group of anglers final say on what the 2020 NJ Striped Bass regulations would be; and,
3) Being treated fairly in consideration of allowances afforded other states.

NJ Marine Fisheries Council Striped Bass committee met this week, and it is the belief that they selected a 28" - <38" option to be considered at the Council meeting now scheduled for next Thursday at 5pm in Manahawkin.

So there will be 2 options for consideration, 28" - <35" and 28" - <38", both with 1 fish bag limits and no closures. Additionally, I believe the recommendation will be to keep the bonus program basically unchanged, 24" - <28" fish (no large trophy fish).

[Billfish715]

We are not conceding as much as some may think. If the PB's can still give out bonus tags and we can keep one bass over 28" to 38"or40", we have only conceded much larger bass which many of us never caught last year anyhow. Most of the bass we've caught over the last few years never made it to the "over" category. For our crew, nothing has basically changed no matter what the size limits will be.

Snag and drop with weighted trebles will become a thing of the past. For those fishing on a PB that might mean bringing an extra rod with which to liveline. Netting bass will be imperative unless you can tell the size differences before deciding if a striper makes the slot.

Again, I don't think we're conceding/sacrificing as much as it might appear since the larger bass are fewer in numbers and the majority of bass that were caught last year were under 38". The local marinas' or clubs' monthly or seasonal tournaments might have to be redesigned if stripers over 38"or 40" are off limits.

[Chelsea-Sea]

Keep giving and you might as well sell your boats. Let’s see what they do with the sea bass this year, not even mentioning what scraps we will see for fluke!
The ironic part is they are winning by keeping all of us arguing and fighting over the scraps!

[hammer4reel]

Keep giving and you might as well sell your boats. Let’s see what they do with the sea bass this year, not even mentioning what scraps we will see for fluke!
The ironic part is they are winning by keeping all of us arguing and fighting over the scraps!

Keep killing all the breeding fish in every species both recreationally and commercially there isn’t going to be anything to fish for .

..

[bulletbob]

Keep killing all the breeding fish in every species both recreationally and commercially there isn’t going to be anything to fish for .

..

Pretty much.
Simply too much pressure in the modern age, both recreational and commercial on any species thats good to eat ... bob

[Skolmann]

Keep killing all the breeding fish in every species both recreationally and commercially there isn’t going to be anything to fish for .

..

Winner winner, chicken dinner 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Foul Hook]

Contact this guy ,he is new to the ASMFC and also a NJ state assemblyman. Last time I talked to him he had someone from Lund's fisheries as an adviser:rolleyes:. He a local guy get in his ear.

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=379

[Hanis]

2@ 24" - 28"

[Duffman]

2@ 24" - 28"

X2

[Gerry Zagorski]

2@ 24" - 28"

Not an option because of the assumptions made on how many fish would be landed and kept. We would then be deemed to be out of compliance on meeting our 2020 conservation equivalency and likely pay for that in more stringent regs in 2021.

Also, you'd be hard pressed to be able to catch/keep any 24 -28 inch fish during the spring and fall ocean runs since most of these fish are plus 28.

There is also a 9% morality rate on released Stripers, imagine how many fish you'd have to release to fill your limit @ two 24 - 28 inch fish?

Seems to me we have a big fustercluck on our hands here.... We want to protect the large breeders but the mortality rates work against us since we'd be catching and releasing a lot of fish.

Also interesting to note that the Fluke regs force us to target larger fish but the powers to be don't seem to apply that logic to Stripers...

I wonder why that is??

[Billfish715]

Gerry or someone, please refresh my memory about the striped bass regulations from about 20 years ago. I remember being allowed to keep slot fish from 26" to 28" or somewhere close to that. I'm not sure exactly, but I know the limit was two stripers somewhere in that size range. In fact, there may have even been a bonus fish included making the total 3 stripers.

Can someone refresh my memory, please? My point is that there were liberal regulations during a time when striper numbers were recovering. The stocks did not seem to be affected because we celebrated some phenomenal catches of large stripers years later. Maybe there is a method to allowing fishermen to catch/keep slot fish without destroying future breeder stocks. Again, do we want quality or quantity? But, it's not about what we want, it's about what the AMFC wants for us.

[Gerry Zagorski]

I don't recall the exact regulations that far back but I do recall a point back then where NJ bonus tags were for fish over 48 inches, I think??

Maybe someone else knows, I looked but could not find anything.

And since they are in the same area, NY regulations if I recall were always more stringent then NJs and almost always had larger size limits which forced people to target larger fish.

Not sure where you are going with this, but one important thing to remember... The issue we face now is due in large part to the Chesapeake bay stocks... That's were most of the decline is coming from and why we're all expected to cut back.

[Skolmann]

Gerry or someone, please refresh my memory about the striped bass regulations from about 20 years ago. I remember being allowed to keep slot fish from 26" to 28" or somewhere close to that. I'm not sure exactly, but I know the limit was two stripers somewhere in that size range. In fact, there may have even been a bonus fish included making the total 3 stripers.

Can someone refresh my memory, please? My point is that there were liberal regulations during a time when striper numbers were recovering. The stocks did not seem to be affected because we celebrated some phenomenal catches of large stripers years later. Maybe there is a method to allowing fishermen to catch/keep slot fish without destroying future breeder stocks. Again, do we want quality or quantity? But, it's not about what we want, it's about what the AMFC wants for us.

I do seem to recall there was 1 or 2 years where the NJ striped bass regulations was 1 or 2 between 28-34 or 35”s and 1 at 42 or 43”s or better——or something alone those lines. But I might be mistaken.

[Capt Sal]

Gerry or someone, please refresh my memory about the striped bass regulations from about 20 years ago. I remember being allowed to keep slot fish from 26" to 28" or somewhere close to that. I'm not sure exactly, but I know the limit was two stripers somewhere in that size range. In fact, there may have even been a bonus fish included making the total 3 stripers.

Can someone refresh my memory, please? My point is that there were liberal regulations during a time when striper numbers were recovering. The stocks did not seem to be affected because we celebrated some phenomenal catches of large stripers years later. Maybe there is a method to allowing fishermen to catch/keep slot fish without destroying future breeder stocks. Again, do we want quality or quantity? But, it's not about what we want, it's about what the AMFC wants for us.
2 At 28'' and one 24' but less than 28'' total of three.

[NJ Dave]

Stripers being a "game fish".... why can't every state be on the same size limit ? Just make it one size all around

[Billfish715]

2 At 28'' and one 24' but less than 28'' total of three.

I'm pretty sure it was one between 24"&28" AND one 28" or more. If you had a bonus tag, you could take one more over 28". That was 20 years ago. Those liberal regs did not seem to affect the striper stocks from 10 years ago. Maybe they are worth considering given the abundant slot sized stripers from this past fall.

There is more support for the theory that the YOY ( young of year) might have better survival rates with fewer newly hatched fry with which to compete for food. Those same theorists suggest that too many YOY will actually prevent development of the fry causing bigger mortality rates. The harvest of stripers across various age groups is gaining some momentum.

Gerry's point about release mortality should be considered since releasing larger stripers is far more likely to result in much higher mortality figures. Smaller stripers evidently survive at higher rates upon release.

[AndyS]

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced that recreational striped bass fishing will end on April 1(including a prohibition on trolling). The spring trophy season will begin on May 1 with a 1 fish/day 35-inch minimum limit.

[Billfish715]

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced that recreational striped bass fishing will end on April 1(including a prohibition on trolling). The spring trophy season will begin on May 1 with a 1 fish/day 35-inch minimum limit.


https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2020/02/12/striped-bass-conservation-regulations-set-for-spring-2020/

There are some very stringent measures that have been taken by Maryland. True, they do have a commercial sector which includes licences that can be used by recreational fishermen who want to sell their catch. Lots of fishermen will be affected by some of the regulations such as closures during the spawn, prohibition of trolling gear as well as gaffs. Size and bag limits have been adjusted as well.

Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay area is considered the capital of the striped bass ( rockfish ) world. This will be met with lots of resentment because it is such a sacrifice for the economy and those who make a living from the striped bass fishery.

The regs regarding trophy striped bass seem to indicate that there is more concern to protect the smaller breeders based on the delayed harvest period with their minimum size limit of 35".

Okay, NJ.......what will we be willing to accept? Whatever our regulations are, they will be nothing compared to those of our neighbors to the south. Can you imagine closing Raritan Bay to striped bass fishing for two months?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just spoke to brother Joe who attended the NJ Striper meeting tonight....

Looks like these will be our final regs for NJ in 2020 (subject to ASMFC review)
- 1 @ 28-38 inches
- 1 Bonus Tag fish @ 24-28 inches 5/15 - 12/31

[JeffZ]

Moratorium here we come!

[hammer4reel]

Just spoke to brother Joe who attended the NJ Striper meeting tonight....

Looks like these will be our final regs for NJ in 2020 (subject to ASMFC review)
- 1 @ 28-38 inches
- 1 Bonus Tag fish @ 24-28 inches 5/15 - 12/31


While I’m sure there are a bunch of happy people I think it sucks .

Fish will have to reach 13 years old to get to the release size fish .
If had kept it to 35” would have only had to make it to 10 years old .

Having the bonus season open most of the year will put incredible pressure on local fish on those younger fish .
Would have ratcheted see the bonus tag only good for the fall season .
. Could never understand how those tags put a new worth of 2 bucks on a great fish ..

[reason162]

Ofc NJ managed to squeeze out 3 more inches and continue the bonus tag nonsense. Let us never, ever, err on the side of conservation.

[Billfish715]

While I’m sure there are a bunch of happy people I think it sucks .

Fish will have to reach 13 years old to get to the release size fish .
If had kept it to 35” would have only had to make it to 10 years old .

Having the bonus season open most of the year will put incredible pressure on local fish on those younger fish .
Would have ratcheted see the bonus tag only good for the fall season .
. Could never understand how those tags put a new worth of 2 bucks on a great fish ..

The bonus tag is a single-use item. I don't think it can be exchanged for a new tag until the following year. Except for the price of a postage stamp, the tag was free.

As for the additional 3 years......that is the compromise. It appears that Md. trophy regs allow one fish over 35" to be retained while NJ will have those fish released. At least that's the way I read it. Each state has its own set of needs and constituents to satisfy. Our regs and theirs are therefore not the same.

Get ready to use landing nets and learn how to measure and release fish unharmed. Snag and drop may be a thing of the past when livelining bunker. Lets see the new regs once they are published.

[Capt Sal]

Ofc NJ managed to squeeze out 3 more inches and continue the bonus tag nonsense. Let us never, ever, err on the side of conservation.

The bonus tag nonsense keeps party boats working FYI.Further more i know owners of Party Boats that did not use half the bonus tags they got. If it was up to you what would you do? Close it down?

[Ry609]

Last fall the bonus tag program accounted for 31,239 lbs of the 215,912 lbs "commercial" quota, meaning >180,000 lbs of fish swam free (14.4% of the quota).

I think the only issue with the bonus tag is now changing it to include part of the spring run during spawning, but I would think by 5/15 many of the local Hudson stock fish will have spawned out already and making their way back down river or up the coast by then.

[AndyS]

Jersey Coast Anglers Online:

Last nights meeting with the NJ Marine fisheries council in Manahawkin was intense to say the least. It started out with commercial Black Sea Bass, then Bluefish, then Bass.
For your reference, here is a summary of the Striped Bass regulation for the 2020 season from the Striped Bass committee meeting back on Feb 5th.
I am sharing this photo because after attending this meeting, it was very clear that public input meant absolutely nothing, and the decision was made before hand exactly as shown on this document. If the state wants public angler comment, and we show up, the least they can do is take a vote tally add it up and then make a decision. This did not work that way and it made many people angry.
Attendees were encouraged at the meeting to email any of your other comments that were not on the docket to sbbp@dep.nj.gov
Its very important to note that there were an additional 40 plus people that attempted to attend that were unable to sit and listen inside of the room due to fire regulations. The state failed to communicate the nights agenda to folks outside the room. Many people did not hear that the agenda had been rearranged and left in disgust. Conservation Officers went outside the room and invited in any people that wanted to speak, but it was very disappointing to many people and the state should have expected a heavy turnout and selected a larger venue to begin with.

[Billfish715]

So, when does all of this start and how will it affect the spring striper season that will start in the bays and rivers very soon? What dates are included in the new regulations?

[fishunt]

Bonus tag a joke. I bet 50 to 75 percent of the tag holder don't even sent their tag information in and use it over and over. Now nj gave them all spring and summer to keep using it.

[reason162]

Bonus tag a joke. I bet 50 to 75 percent of the tag holder don't even sent their tag information in and use it over and over. Now nj gave them all spring and summer to keep using it.

The tag system is certainly easy to abuse...opening it up for Spring gives people 2 chances to kill 2015 class fish. I find it hard to fathom how NJ justifies that move.

[Ry609]

Bonus tag a joke. I bet 50 to 75 percent of the tag holder don't even sent their tag information in and use it over and over. Now nj gave them all spring and summer to keep using it.

Unless people are using fake info to fill out the application, I’m pretty sure they don’t give you the permit if you didn’t send your log and trip info in from the previous year.

[fishunt]

Unless people are using fake info to fill out the application, I’m pretty sure they don’t give you the permit if you didn’t send your log and trip info in from the previous year.

Believe me I have seen it several times this year people walking off beach with no tag on the fish. I'm sure they are probably sending in a log in every year with bs info just to keep getting the tag the following year. It gets abuse big time

[Gerry Zagorski]

So, when does all of this start and how will it affect the spring striper season that will start in the bays and rivers very soon? What dates are included in the new regulations?

This is what NJ submitted but is still subject to ASMFC approval... Other states who submitted similar regs got approval so I think it's just a formality...
- 1 @ 28-38 inches no closed season
- 1 Bonus Tag fish @ 24-28 inches 5/15 - 12/31

Important to note the bonus fish we have here in NJ is a result of the Commercial Striper fishing ban we have in NJ so we get that quota on the recreational side.

Until the above measures are approved, we are still under the 2019 regs

1 fish at 28 inches to less than 43 inches no closed season
1 fish at 43 inches or greater
Bonus Tag One fish 24 inches to less than 28"

How will it effect fishing? As you can see, people will no longer be able to harvest anything over 38 inches and only 1 fish instead of 2. The bonus fish remains the same at 24 -28 but will run from 5/15 - 12/31.

[Ry609]

Believe me I have seen it several times this year people walking off beach with no tag on the fish. I'm sure they are probably sending in a log in every year with bs info just to keep getting the tag the following year. It gets abuse big time

True, people suck

[penn50w]

My option would have been:
1 fish from 35" to > 45"
1 fish < 45"
no tags for small fish
protect the young so they can spawn millions of eggs and most normal fisherman & weekend warriors won't catch a lot of the bigger fish so it would have been a WIN - WIN - again, my opinion(no longer even worth 2 cents) :rolleyes:

[Capt Sal]

my option would have been:
1 fish from 35" to > 45"
1 fish < 45"
no tags for small fish
protect the young so they can spawn millions of eggs and most normal fisherman & weekend warriors won't catch a lot of the bigger fish so it would have been a win - win - again, my opinion(no longer even worth 2 cents) :rolleyes:

no ones opinion is worth anything because everyone is an expert and they no nothing!!!!!!!!

[hartattack]

So, when does all of this start and how will it affect the spring striper season that will start in the bays and rivers very soon? What dates are included in the new regulations?

Ocean has no closed season but back-water striper fishery opens 1-March:
- Atlantic Ocean 0-3 miles from shore, no closed season
- Greater than 3 miles from shore, closed
- All other marine waters, open Mar. 1 – Dec. 31

[Gerry Zagorski]

At the end of the day here are a few thoughts to ponder.

- Everything is a compromise and a good compromise is when no one on either side of the compromise gets what they want and it's somewhere in the middle.

- If you are conservation minded like me, you still have the option to fish with your conscious and not keep any or an occasional fish, just nothing over 38 inches.

- 38 or less inch restrictions protect the breeders, which I think we all agree with if your are fore hire or own a private boat..


- There are no closures and this gives everyone access to go out and fish any day you want with the ability to keep one fish under 38 inches if you want to...


Bottom line is because of what happened in the decline of the Chesapeake area stocks we all have to suck it up.