Fluke Shout Out To Tom Dakota Smith

[dales529]

Just saying Tom's efforts had an impact and should be recognized here!
Thanks my friend for all your hard work.

[No Keepers]

Agreed. I would look over his old posts to help formulate my comments to fisheries management. I wish he would consider coming back.
Thank you Tom

[shrimpman steve]

Tom knows his shyte

Thank you Tom

[hartattack]

You are missed Tom. NJ would never have considered a slot for Fluke without your detailed analysis and proof that we were clobbering the breeders. Hope to wet a line soon with you again.. Stay well my friend

[frugalfisherman]

Almost single handedly turned a 16% increase in 2022 quota to a 16% decrease. I bet he's getting some real "shout outs". None printable here.


"New York State will continue to work with our coastwide partners to enact conservation measures for summer flounder to ensure an accessible and sustainable fishery for years to come." The New York recreational summer flounder season in 2022 is open May 1 to Oct. 9, 2022, and anglers are allowed four fish at a minimum size limit of 18.5 inches in response to new interstate fishery management plan requirements. Same for Connecticut.

[TomKaye]

I agree with all of the sentiments expressed above, except for yours Frugal,
and especially this one :

"You are missed Tom. NJ would never have considered a slot for Fluke without your detailed analysis and proof that we were clobbering the breeders. Hope to wet a line soon with you again.. Stay well my friend"

Don't know where you fish Frugal nor your experience yet this season,
but on 5/13 I took 2 fat 17.5 inchers for the table which of course would have gone back last year.
Also took an "over" for my barber for whom I promised a meal.
Several 16 + went back to become keepers later this season.

I am not going to engage in any fruitless debate with anyone.
Thanks for reading.
Tight lines and stay safe all.

Thank you Dakota for all your efforts.

[frugalfisherman]

Well, I guess that proves I'm wrong. You caught two 17 1/2 inch fish!!!!

[reason162]

Not sure if Tom deserves the blame for this year's regulation fiasco, but someone is to blame...and so far no one - not RFA, not JCAA - no one has claimed responsibility for pushing through this ludicrous 1" slot limit, an option that wasn't even mentioned as in the running during the final weeks leading up to the board meeting.

[TomKaye]

Well, I guess that proves I'm wrong. You caught two 17 1/2 inch fish!!!!

Suggest you brush up on your reading skills Frugal.
2 slot fish, 1 over and multiple shorts comprised my day.
Would have been ony one in the cooler of course with previous regs.

One day does not a history make. I'll reserve judgment til season ends.
Please also re-read this part of my previous post :

"I am not going to engage in any fruitless debate with anyone.
Thanks for reading.
Tight lines and stay safe all.

Thank you Dakota for all your efforts."

I will probably spend more days fluke fishing in RI & MA than in NJ this year.
We can talk in September. Have a great season.

[frugalfisherman]

On your way to RI and MA be sure to come to a dead stop at all stop streets and not to go one mile over the speed limit because that would be against regulations and is as bad as keeping a 16.5 inch fluke.

[TomKaye]

Thank you Frugal---I just noticed MA. has changed fluke regs to 5 @ 16.5".
Last 3 Summers our charters on Nantucket Shoals have not kept anything less than 19 or 20" except once when were 2 shy of a boat limit in mid afternoon, and at the time minimum was 17.5.
We always release DD's and several times released 7-8 & 9 pounders after an early limit of average 5 pounders.
I'm sure other guys who fish up there regularly will tell you the same.
Not looking for debate. Not braggin' nor complaining.
Just relating' our group's policy and what we've experienced.
Stay safe and tight lines,

[TomKaye]

Sorry to disrupt what was supposed to be a positive Dakota thread.
I apologize.
Frugal you can PM me if you wish a civil conversation, via phone. :)

[frugalfisherman]

5 at 16.5 that makes my day. My # is in the classified message section. Maybe you'll buy some of my jigs.

[dales529]

Want to be clear here. I do not nor do I believe tom agrees with the 1" slot or the option chosen by the council. My shout out is more that the work and data in my opinion helped to change the culture and thought process in fluke management to at least consider other alternatives rather than raise the size and lower the bag we have been dealing with for more than a decade.

While I think this will be an experiment this year and mrip will most likely screw it all up at least it's change in a better direction.

Reason: I know of no fishing group that pushed for this option nor any conspiracy to do so. Earliest season is always on the table each year and pushed hard by the southern nj region always. They spoke the loudest at the meeting and got the early season.