Where the bay stripers went last year! Must read!!

[IdidntDoit]

Now you know why the stripers were not in the bay last year. They never made it back from the Hudson river. But NY keeps uping the size limit.

This is something I did not even think was going on in NY effecting NJ waters.



Stripers Forever members – some great news from the State of New York. A4112, a bill to prohibit commercial fishing for striped bass in the Hudson River – effectively making it a game fish there - has already passed the Assembly. S4948, the Senate version of this bill, is coming up for a hearing before the Environmental Conservation Committee on Feb. 23. The bill is sponsored by Senator Antoine M. Thompson, the Chairman of the committee. The Hudson is the second largest spawning ground for striped bass; keeping it free from the pressures of commercial gill netting is vital to the health of the striper population. We all need to get behind this bill now to make sure it takes effect.


Here is what you can do to help:
•If you are a NY State resident you should e-mail or even better, phone, write and e-mail the office of your state senator today and tell him or her that you want their support for S4948, the bill to protect Hudson River striped bass from the pressures of commercial fishing. You should also send a copy of your e-mail or letter to all Senators on the Environmental Conservation committee.
•If you are not a NY State resident you should still e-mail or write the Senators on the committee and tell them that striped bass spawned in the Hudson are important to the whole coastal fishery, and that they should be protected from commercial harvest. If you fish the Hudson for stripers, especially if you travel to get there, stay in a hotel, or fish with a guide, please be sure to point this out in your communication. The economic benefits are key rationale for this bill.

Here are the e-mail links that you will need:
•For NY residents to find their State Senator: http://www.nysenate.gov/

•To find the members of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee: http://www.nysenate.gov/committee/environmental-conservation


Be aware that a handful of shad gill netters on the Hudson are clamoring to be allowed to net stripers now that the shad are gone. They have their supporters; we must make sure that this additional pressure is not put on the already struggling striped bass population. With the fishing pressure and disease issues that persist in the Chesapeake Bay striper stocks, we can’t allow the Hudson to go back to the commercial striper fishing that nearly wiped it out more than 30 years ago.


NY residents, here is a sample letter to copy, paste, and send to your senator. Please feel free to modify it into your own words, and to add whatever additional comments you want. Your letters to senators on the Committee can be essentially the same except for not saying that you live in their district.


Dear Senator (name):


My name is (your name) and I live in your district in the town of ( your town).
The future of striped bass is very important to me. Thirty years ago Hudson River stripers were almost wiped out by commercial fishing pressure. The fishery has been closed to commercial fishing since 1976, and the population has recovered, though breeding age fish are under intense fishing pressure in the ocean. Striped bass support a robust recreational fishery that is very valuable to the economies of the towns from Troy to Manhattan. Senate bill S4948 has been referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee. It is very important to me that you support this bill.


Sincerely,
Your Name, Town, State
your e-mail address and phone number



For those residing outside of NY, here is a sample letter to copy, paste, and send to members of the Environmental Conservation Committee. Please feel free to modify it into your own words, and to add whatever additional comments you want. Please try to send it to every member of the committee.

My name is (your name) and I live (town, state). I am writing to urge you to support S4948, the bill to protect Hudson River striped bass from the resumption of commercial fishing. The Hudson River is one of the major spawning areas for the migratory East coast striped bass stock. This is the most important recreational salt water species in America. Like all saltwater species, stripers are already threatened by intense fishing pressure and pollution. Thirty years ago Hudson River stripers were almost wiped out by commercial fishing pressure. This fishery has been closed to commercial harvest since 1976, and the population has recovered, though breeding age fish are under heavy fishing pressure in the ocean. Senate bill S4948 has been referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee. It is very important to me that you support this bill.


Sincerely,
Your Name, Town, State
your e-mail address and phone number



Note – A copy of S4948 is available under General News on the Stripers Forever website - just Google up Stripers Forever. We are not including a link to try and keep our e-mails from being caught in spam filters.

[SI Cruiser]

I normally report under a different user name but in this situation I need to report under a different name.

If you want to know where all the Hudson River Stripers went I can tell you.

All the illegal immigrants in Jersey City take home every 14 to 28 inch striper they catch.

Will they ever sign up with NOAA? No
Will they ever abide by any law in the country? No
Will they ever learn to speak English? No

Also, do not trust Stripers Forever. They are a bunch of treehuggers looking to shut down the recreational fisherman. They will rip apart the commercial guys and try to come across as a friend to the recreational guy all on behalf of the striper. Just beware they want to make it a gamefish and limit recreational catches to just one fish.


Enough said!

[IdidntDoit]

I normally report under a different user name but in this situation I need to report under a different name.

If you want to know where all the Hudson River Stripers went I can tell you.

All the illegal immigrants in Jersey City take home every 14 to 28 inch striper they catch.

Will they ever sign up with NOAA? No
Will they ever abide by any law in the country? No
Will they ever learn to speak English? No

Also, do not trust Stripers Forever. They are a bunch of treehuggers looking to shut down the recreational fisherman. They will rip apart the commercial guys and try to come across as a friend to the recreational guy all on behalf of the striper. Just beware they want to make it a gamefish and limit recreational catches to just one fish.


Enough said!

Why can't you use your own name are you not telling the truth??

When you can't put your name to it then is it the truth or???? Other agenda?

It to inform people not to tell people what to think!

I wish cat ron would respond to the post i know he speaks his true mind and words!

[IdidntDoit]

I normally report under a different user name but in this situation I need to report under a different name.

If you want to know where all the Hudson River Stripers went I can tell you.

All the illegal immigrants in Jersey City take home every 14 to 28 inch striper they catch.

Will they ever sign up with NOAA? No
Will they ever abide by any law in the country? No
Will they ever learn to speak English? No

Also, do not trust Stripers Forever. They are a bunch of treehuggers looking to shut down the recreational fisherman. They will rip apart the commercial guys and try to come across as a friend to the recreational guy all on behalf of the striper. Just beware they want to make it a gamefish and limit recreational catches to just one fish.


Enough said!

Looking at your past post i get the feeling you are one of the commercial guys?
And if you are what size fish do you keep?

No name ....

[SI Cruiser]

I am 100% recreational.

I only keep legal fish and as I fish every week, I limit my keepers to only those which I plan on eating that week.

The reason for the pseudonym is to keep my professional association with a major firm free of any criticism.

[SI Cruiser]

I am sure that Captain Ron would be opposed to the Stripers Forever push to limit the recreational catch to one bass per day at a minimum much higher than 28 inches. It would put him out of business.

[JoeLongo]

You should never have to post under a false name. Are you kidding me? Man up. Not that it really matters. A name like BlackSluggo isnt really going to let people know where you live.

[Fishguts]

[QUOTE=IdidntDoit]Now you know why the stripers were not in the bay last year. They never made it back from the Hudson river. But NY keeps uping the size limit.

This is something I did not even think was going on in NY effecting NJ waters.



I found the article a must read and thanks for posting:) I find it unbelievable that there is not more outrage. This is the second time in a week that I read on this site that a fishing organization is calling for the restriction or exclusion of a fishery just because they thinks so. No science no landing data......just call and write your politician to restrict fishing. Unreal. I will be going to Washington to protest less injustice against fisherman. Do you think our politicians may get a little confused when they get called by the same people and are asked to support a bill to close one fishery and then called the following week to fight to reopen seabass and if they dont they have lost your vote:confused: Things will improve for all when real science ,real landings, and real quotas are used to manage our fisheries. BTW The NY commercial season was originally closed due to pollution(PCB) and not overfishing.

[Slacker]

I normally report under a different user name but in this situation I need to report under a different name.

If you want to know where all the Hudson River Stripers went I can tell you.

All the illegal immigrants in Jersey City take home every 14 to 28 inch striper they catch.

Will they ever sign up with NOAA? No
Will they ever abide by any law in the country? No
Will they ever learn to speak English? No

Also, do not trust Stripers Forever. They are a bunch of treehuggers looking to shut down the recreational fisherman. They will rip apart the commercial guys and try to come across as a friend to the recreational guy all on behalf of the striper. Just beware they want to make it a gamefish and limit recreational catches to just one fish.


Enough said!

I doubt that illegal immigrants are putting a massive dent in the population... not having access to boats limits their catch. On the rec side, years of killing 30-50# breeders is where the big damage happens - most guys catching those are fully legal and well equipped.

Stripers Forever agenda is just fine with me. Stripers are simply too valuable a resource to be a commercial food fish... commercial guys should find a market for sea robins and feel free to take all the pout you want.

On the rec side, there is absolutely no reason anybody needs to keep more than 1 bass a day. Putting the 36" minimum back up would help regain a little of the fish's mystique... we've managed them like they are panfish.

I feel bad that folks think a 28" fish is a STRIPED BASS... you haven't really experienced what it feels like to catch a striper until you've broke 40"s.

[Capt Sal]

I doubt that illegal immigrants are putting a massive dent in the population... not having access to boats limits their catch. On the rec side, years of killing 30-50# breeders is where the big damage happens - most guys catching those are fully legal and well equipped.

Stripers Forever agenda is just fine with me. Stripers are simply too valuable a resource to be a commercial food fish... commercial guys should find a market for sea robins and feel free to take all the pout you want.

On the rec side, there is absolutely no reason anybody needs to keep more than 1 bass a day. Putting the 36" minimum back up would help regain a little of the fish's mystique... we've managed them like they are panfish.

I feel bad that folks think a 28" fish is a STRIPED BASS... you haven't really experienced what it feels like to catch a striper until you've broke 40"s.
i agree that stripers are a game fish.1 bass per day works for some people.i eat mine fresh so one fish is enough.now here is the problem.if the bass are 28 to30inches and i have a charter what do i do.how many charters can i book with a bag limit of 1?how about all of the party boats that make a living with school size stripers.the agenda of stripers forever in no way reflects the needs or the reality of the for hire industry.we do not need to harvest millions of bass but we need a reasonable bag limit to stay in bussines.

[1captainron]

Good point Sal. At the last council meeting a couple weeks ago, an idea was put out there on the Stripers.....1 fish at 24 inches, the second 34 and over!!
This is the same thing we had 4 years ago and it was a joke!
Mind you, it was just a presentation, food for thought and impute from the public.

The 24 would certainly help me, the 34 would kill us and a whole lot of bass in between, with way too many stressed out fish going back.
It never makes any sense does it!!

[Fishguts]

I doubt that illegal immigrants are putting a massive dent in the population... not having access to boats limits their catch. On the rec side, years of killing 30-50# breeders is where the big damage happens - most guys catching those are fully legal and well equipped.

Stripers Forever agenda is just fine with me. Stripers are simply too valuable a resource to be a commercial food fish... commercial guys should find a market for sea robins and feel free to take all the pout you want.

On the rec side, there is absolutely no reason anybody needs to keep more than 1 bass a day. Putting the 36" minimum back up would help regain a little of the fish's mystique... we've managed them like they are panfish.

I feel bad that folks think a 28" fish is a STRIPED BASS... you haven't really experienced what it feels like to catch a striper until you've broke 40"s.

How would you feel if people started saying the same statements about fluke ,blacks or seabass? 1 ten pound fluke is plenty, them little 22inchers hardly stretch the line.........Put a 19" size limit on seabass so it has some mystique....... dont keep a blackfish just give it a nice hug and take a picture:D Maximum sustainable yield should be the goal. Take what can be harvested and protect what can not. I feel bad that there are groups out there that want to take away my rights to harvest fish for no real reason (mortality,stock assessments,etc ) other than their personal preferences.

[Slacker]

i agree that stripers are a game fish.1 bass per day works for some people.i eat mine fresh so one fish is enough.now here is the problem.if the bass are 28 to30inches and i have a charter what do i do.how many charters can i book with a bag limit of 1?how about all of the party boats that make a living with school size stripers.the agenda of stripers forever in no way reflects the needs or the reality of the for hire industry.we do not need to harvest millions of bass but we need a reasonable bag limit to stay in bussines.

I hear your concerns, Capt. I'm not in the business, so I will defer to your opinion on this question... "Would telling a 6 pack charter that they can only keep 6 bass significantly cut down on your bookings?".

Ultimately, the question is as a recreational captain, could you make more money if this fish is treated as a trophy or as a meat fish. For a 6 pack charter operation, with tighter limits, I think you'd have a better chance of getting fares into 35-36" fish day in and day out, rather than the current drill of relatively small fish.

Personally, I think you'd get more charters if bigger fish were a more realistic possibility. People drop $400-500 for the experience, the feel and sound of a big fish pulling drag, the trophy photo, etc... not for 4 fillets of a marginal tasting fish.

A friend of mine runs charters in Montauk. Doesn't keep a fish all Fall and is booked every day.

Party boats are a thornier issue. They can't be as flexible as a 6 pack in where and how they fish for bass. They have been forced to treat bass like meat fish due to getting regularly hosed on flounder, fluke, seabass, porgies, etc. The bass season gets longer and longer because the fluke season gets shorter and shorter. I don't want to put them out of business with regulations... I also don't want to see them put out of business because the bottom falls out of the fishery.

[Slacker]

How would you feel if people started saying the same statements about fluke ,blacks or seabass? 1 ten pound fluke is plenty, them little 22inchers hardly stretch the line.........Put a 19" size limit on seabass so it has some mystique....... dont keep a blackfish just give it a nice hug and take a picture:D Maximum sustainable yield should be the goal. Take what can be harvested and protect what can not. I feel bad that there are groups out there that want to take away my rights to harvest fish for no real reason (mortality,stock assessments,etc ) other than their personal preferences.


Fluke and seabass have always been panfish. I do think that the fluke fishery has actually improved drastically under the increased regs, however.

WRT blackfish, I fish those a lot and have watched the stock quality decrease. I would be more than happy to see size limits bounced up to 16 or 17" and quantity kept at 4... slot limit would also get applause from me.

Again, I have no financial stake in the game... which makes me different from a charter/party boat operation. My interest is quality of the fishery.

[mitch]

I haven't posted in awhile but do read almost everyday. My 2 cents is yes many not just illegals, are fishing and keeping though not sure how anyone can know each person fishing from public piers and docks are not legal citizens, many of us do at one time or another, my wife works in Hoboken and she as well as I walk the new park/pier their and do see many who fish that spot, many old timers many regulars, and many who yes keep small fish, I can guarrentee they all are not illegals as thought! But the police are always around and I'm sure the state knows about these waterfront fishing holes. I can attest to more short fish are being taken from private boats then private people off the shores, wish I had a nickle for everytime we were given the "salute" for yelling at somebody throwing a baby into the cooler!
I personally would like to see the slot bass come back the smaller bass are by far the better tasting, a 26" or 28" is nicer meat than a 34" or 40" by far, better taste better quality. And the bigger breeders are getting few and far between more because "I think" they are smarter than the smaller fish and realize, why keep going back to the spot we're harrassed each year, so I think they just find different, safer, quieter habitats to live and breed, a.k.a. why the upper Hudson is seeing less and less right?.
Give us the 2 slot size again and maybe the bonus tag fish could be a 30" or 34"+ instead of just a 3rd fish. That may cover both sides of the issue maybe?.
As for loosing customers, yes it's location, location, location, Montouge will always have that fan base just like here in Jersey, if you want say Bluefish you'll go to shark river or Pt. P not A.H. though they all go to the same basic spots, that's just how it is. The same as even getting down to what type of fishing you want will depend on what boat you go on, back bay verses channel fishing, and so on. Bottom line the economy weather anyone wants to admit it or not has hurt all aspects of our lives, many more than the lucky few, God bless those few. A good day for us and the PB Capts use to be 50-60 fares, the last couple years, now 20-30 fares the Capts are you know what in their you know whats!
We all have to give and bend and stand up for our rights or else all of our boats will look like those NY PB as 2 days a week out with 5-6 fares on a 90ft boat! that is a sin!!!
We all must do our part or nobody will be around! store owners, gas stations, rental owners, nobody, do we want to look like Sheepshead bay?? or some of these other towns? Yes we feel it because we live in Jersey but it's all over and fishing will become a thing of the past for most of us as did sports and seeing games live. I use to have season tickets for the Mets (in '86), i'd have to sell my house for 1 season of my old seats now.
It's not an easy fight but we do have to adjust somewhere in the middle or we all will loose!

[Capt Sal]

I hear your concerns, Capt. I'm not in the business, so I will defer to your opinion on this question... "Would telling a 6 pack charter that they can only keep 6 bass significantly cut down on your bookings?".

Ultimately, the question is as a recreational captain, could you make more money if this fish is treated as a trophy or as a meat fish. For a 6 pack charter operation, with tighter limits, I think you'd have a better chance of getting fares into 35-36" fish day in and day out, rather than the current drill of relatively small fish.

Personally, I think you'd get more charters if bigger fish were a more realistic possibility. People drop $400-500 for the experience, the feel and sound of a big fish pulling drag, the trophy photo, etc... not for 4 fillets of a marginal tasting fish.

A friend of mine runs charters in Montauk. Doesn't keep a fish all Fall and is booked every day.

Party boats are a thornier issue. They can't be as flexible as a 6 pack in where and how they fish for bass. They have been forced to treat bass like meat fish due to getting regularly hosed on flounder, fluke, seabass, porgies, etc. The bass season gets longer and longer because the fluke season gets shorter and shorter. I don't want to put them out of business with regulations... I also don't want to see them put out of business because the bottom falls out of the fishery.
i don't know what you you do for a living.i know what i do.i could care less what 1 charter boat out of montauk does.i know what works here and every other state on the east coast that has a striper run.stick to what you do and leave the for hire industry to us capts.i think i said that as politely as i can.

[w_b]

keep it simple, at 2 @28"
add a slot fish if the best avail science warrants (I don't think it does yet)
keep the NJ bonus tag program, it's your option to participate or not
as has been said the 34" rule will result in more dead from improper C&R

[Slacker]

as has been said the 34" rule will result in more dead from improper C&R

I was about done with this thread, but the logic gap in this thought process dragged me back in.

The idea that a larger size limit results in more dead fish is total bunk... and here is why. The number of fish hooked in a trip is not impacted by size limits.

No one stops fishing just because they caught their limit. They can catch their limit in 10 minutes and then they keep fishing and releasing fish all day until the trip is over.

If you catch 10 bass and
(example 1) release all 10 OR
(example 2) release 8 & put 2 in the cooler,
you still have hooked 10 bass.

So, if your hook mortality (fish that unintentionally die due to being hooked) is 10%:

in example 1, you will have statistically sent away 1 floater (killed 1 fish).

In example 2, you will have statistically sent away .8 floaters (gotta treat this as a dead one 'cause your either alive or dead - regardless of what the math might say;)) and have 2 dead ones in the box (killed 3 fish - your 2 in the box and 1 due to hook mortality).

The idea that a smaller size limit actually SAVES fish would hold water ONLY if people caught their limit and then had to go sit in the cabin.

[IdidntDoit]

I also fish on many party boats and come home with nothing but do catch fish that go back.. like 27 1/2" too small and crindge each time. If i am on my buddies boat the same thing happens also with the fluke!!! I only keep whats legal and I close my eyes when putting a 17 7/8" flike over the side/ I dod not support the report but only did not know they were taking bass out of the river. Also the shad is alsmost gone due to pressuers and also in the Delawere river where thousand of our dollare went to bring the shad back in that river but are takine in the ocean... So where does it all stop when there is no fish to get? Our rec money goes to bring the fish back and the rec fisherman are the ones that keep taking it on the chin! So are the conercial guys also taking the fish out of the Hudson where it hit the bay also?

We all got to keep informed on what NY is doing because it sttects NJ waters also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

keeping informed is the olly way we can stop the dum crap the special groups restrict us all!

[IdidntDoit]

Why is the post not coning up as being posted today????

[Capt Sal]

I was about done with this thread, but the logic gap in this thought process dragged me back in.

The idea that a larger size limit results in more dead fish is total bunk... and here is why. The number of fish hooked in a trip is not impacted by size limits.

No one stops fishing just because they caught their limit. They can catch their limit in 10 minutes and then they keep fishing and releasing fish all day until the trip is over.

If you catch 10 bass and
(example 1) release all 10 OR
(example 2) release 8 & put 2 in the cooler,
you still have hooked 10 bass.

So, if your hook mortality (fish that unintentionally die due to being hooked) is 10%:

in example 1, you will have statistically sent away 1 floater (killed 1 fish).

In example 2, you will have statistically sent away .8 floaters (gotta treat this as a dead one 'cause your either alive or dead - regardless of what the math might say;)) and have 2 dead ones in the box (killed 3 fish - your 2 in the box and 1 due to hook mortality).

The idea that a smaller size limit actually SAVES fish would hold water ONLY if people caught their limit and then had to go sit in the cabin.
is this in your''expert'' opinion.your data is as flawed as noaa!!!!:confused:

[Slacker]

Did I make a math error? If so, please explain.

There's no "data" in my post, so that can't be the problem. I put up a simple math problem. The 10% mortality was hypothetical for the purpose of the example.

If you're arguing that the thought process of the post is wrong, then how about you explain how a higher size limit kills more fish than a smaller size limit. I like to learn new things. I'm looking forward to your explanation.
:)

[Slacker]

Oh, and if anyone cares, catch and release hook mortality on striped bass was found to be 6.4% in a study performed on the Roanoke River, in NC.

The percentage varies based on how deep the fish is hooked, water temp, air temp, etc.

[mickrazz]

#1. You guys can thank the liberals that were placed in the NOAA by our darling president for the mess we are in.

#2. Seems to me that for the past few years anyone who could spell "bass" could jump on a charter and catch 30-40 lb fish...and plenty of them. I'm only going by the pictures that are posted...limits out the wazoo. Why someone needs to keep that many big, off tasting stripers is beyond me.

#3. I know we are all aware of the tens of thousands of people out of work..alot of them with 20-25 years of service with their company..they come in one day and they are gone...by by...see you later...and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. I guess they have to find ANOTHER way to make a living if they want to survive.

#4. The mortality rate for a striper laying on the dock is 100%. That math can't be wrong.

#5. Please don't take this post the wrong way. I like to take my daughter out in my boat in the bay for some striper fishing. I'll keep one or two to eat and to give to my family. Thats if I'm lucky enought to catch any..the past few years in the BAY have been terrible for me. I think we caught 3 last year.

[Capt Sal]

when we get into a catch and release situation we use circle hooks!you are entitled to your opinion.this is not an argument.i am looking at it from the perspective of a charter captain.if we had laws that would fit your thinking we for hire boats would go out of business.charter and party boats are entitled to harvest a reasonable amount of bass.as far as a private recreational boat goes,do what you think is the right thing.catch 1 bass and go home.i have many friends with private boats that would disagree with you.bottom line, we need 2 fish to make a living.

[IdidntDoit]

Capt Sal I agree i use also use the same hooks as soon as I started using them 99% of the fish were all hooked above their gills. Not hard to take out and back in the water in less than one minute! there will alsways be fish that get gut hooked by the fishermen that just let the fish inhale the bait. I was taught how to fish by my father doing fresh water trout fihing in NJ waters. He alsways told me anyone can catch a fish when then gut hook them but the real fishermean had the perfict hook up where they were hooked in the mouth. I STILL HOLD THIS TO BE TRUE! But then again not all on the party boats fish that much to become a good fisherman. I put 98% of the fish I catch back in the water. So soon it will be a law to put them all back or not fish at all! let the comerical guys keep all they want then soon they will be all out of service, like what they have done with ever thing in the ocean.

[Tony Cav]

Unfortunately, to talk about catch and release mortality will only give the tree huggers ammo.



Aren't stripers already listed as a "Game Fish" in New Jersey?

[eagleyankfan]

I agree, stripers should be a game fish to stop the comms from killing them at an alarming rate. The side affect of that will be a limit on rec fisherman. All that aside ....

that IS not the reason there were fewer fish in the bay. It's a nice idea to tie the two together, but its not accurate.

[Fishguts]

I agree, stripers should be a game fish to stop the comms from killing them at an alarming rate. The side affect of that will be a limit on rec fisherman. All that aside ....

that IS not the reason there were fewer fish in the bay. It's a nice idea to tie the two together, but its not accurate.

Can you please inform me at were this alarming rate is occurring? The original poster was blaming the lack of fish in the bay on netting that did not even happen. We as fisherman are fishing under quotas and or mortality rates. Commercial fisherman fish under quotas. A healthy fully rebuilt fishery can support a maximum sustainable yield of harvest. But as you also point out some people hate to let the facts get in the way when they try to make thier point.

[shresearchdude]

Fishguts...the passion for fishing that some have tends to get in the way of "actual" facts and leans towards opinions that have been become truths since many feel that it's reasonable to believe.
The point of the correlation not being accurate is accurate though and he should get credit for that...

[irishc]

I normally report under a different user name but in this situation I need to report under a different name.

If you want to know where all the Hudson River Stripers went I can tell you.

All the illegal immigrants in Jersey City take home every 14 to 28 inch striper they catch.

Will they ever sign up with NOAA? No
Will they ever abide by any law in the country? No
Will they ever learn to speak English? No

Also, do not trust Stripers Forever. They are a bunch of treehuggers looking to shut down the recreational fisherman. They will rip apart the commercial guys and try to come across as a friend to the recreational guy all on behalf of the striper. Just beware they want to make it a gamefish and limit recreational catches to just one fish.


Enough said!


Talk about opinnions that become truths... SI Criuser, I don't know about illegals in Jersey City but your comment about Stripers Forever, a group of which I am a member, got me thinking so I emailed the powers that be and here is what they had to say:

Chris - I don't know who is making these comments, but we definitely have our opponents and they come from all corners. Some clubs or groups simply resent anyone but them having an organized voice, some of the national organizations see us as competition, and naturally pro commercial voices hate us. Stripers Forever has about 17,000 members from all kinds of fishing disciplines, and from every state in the U.S. plus several foreign countries. We have no paid staff. We are a totally volunteer organization - though we do hire lobbyists - designed to do one thing, and that is make striped bass a game fish and end its commercial exploitation. We think that is the best way to insure that stripers thrive and provide great recreational fishing opportunities.

Our organization does not suggest particular bag or size limits, and frankly while I know that there is something going on with new size limits in NJ - one larger and one smaller, maybee - we have no position on it of any kind, and in fact we don't even know the details. We have several board members from NJ, and they may know, but it is not a topic at Stripers Forever. NJ is a game fish state and they are free to adapt whatever regulations fit within the ASMFC guidelines.


There may be some of us who are tree huggers, but I don't' know any. Most of our board - that sets our policies - are lovers of the natural world, but are not PETA types or people with unreasonable environmental positions. Most of us are just simply life long sportsmen who just happen to believe that striped bass should be managed for the more socially and economically valuable goals of recreational fishing than for $2.50 a pound. Brad

I don't know but Brad who is I believe the head of the entire 17,000 member organization dosen't sound like a tree hugger who is out to get the recreational fisherman to me...

[Capt Sal]

why don't your board members know what the proposals are?1700 members one of them must have some info.i know your club is not a pro commercial organization!just where does stripers forever stand on bag limits?they must have an opinion.if you guys don't have an opinion why have a club.the charter and head boats need a reasonable bag limit of at least 2 fish per angler.maybe you should get your president to post the views of your members on this site.like you stated ''you'' don't know.let someone that knows and cares and maybe more people will have a better idea what stripers forever is all about.it might make for some interesting conversation.i does not have to be ugly just truthful!!! impo

[IdidntDoit]

Can you please inform me at were this alarming rate is occurring? The original poster was blaming the lack of fish in the bay on netting that did not even happen. We as fisherman are fishing under quotas and or mortality rates. Commercial fisherman fish under quotas. A healthy fully rebuilt fishery can support a maximum sustainable yield of harvest. But as you also point out some people hate to let the facts get in the way when they try to make thier point.


Raed the artical about fish stripers taken in the hudson river! I think that river runs into the bay the last time i was there?

If the fish spawn in the river and there is less fish doing the dirty then there will be less fosh going in and even less coming back in the bay from the river. Sounds like it a idea.

[Harlee Rod]

I work in an area that borders the Hudson River. The small 12 to 18 inch fish reside in the river all year long. Many do not migrate into the bay as they maintain residence along and under the piers.

Many of our customers practice catch and release throughout the winter as this fishery is closed. They feed on nightcrawlers, clams and soft plastic baits. Many of the bass they catch and release are a by-catch generated from their interest in tommy cod or perch.

Contrary to other posts I have read recently on this website, our customers respect the regulations and do not take fish out of season. They respect the fishery and abide by all New Jersey regulations. Yes, they fish to eat, but they will take home a 12 inch bluefish before they take home a 26 inch bass.

They are not the cause of fish failing to make it into the bay.

[irishc]

why don't your board members know what the proposals are?1700 members one of them must have some info.i know your club is not a pro commercial organization!just where does stripers forever stand on bag limits?they must have an opinion.if you guys don't have an opinion why have a club.the charter and head boats need a reasonable bag limit of at least 2 fish per angler.maybe you should get your president to post the views of your members on this site.like you stated ''you'' don't know.let someone that knows and cares and maybe more people will have a better idea what stripers forever is all about.it might make for some interesting conversation.i does not have to be ugly just truthful!!! impo

I think Brad laid out where Stripers Forever stands very clearly in the email he sent me. Stripers Forever’s stance is that the resource should not be wasted and that the fishery should foster economic growth that goes beyond being able to buy Striped Bass in a fish market. Brad is not talking about the proposals, He is saying that he doesn’t know if the current regulations will be actually be changed in the future or what they will be changed to, do you? Thing is, I just don’t understand how anyone can start bad mouthing that organization when they had a major part in getting game fish status for Striped Bass in NJ which was a big win for recreational angler’s & charter boat & party boat captains. The quota that would have gone to the commercial fishermen (something like 320,000 lbs.) has been assigned to the bonus tag program for recreational fishermen (aka – your customers). That means your fares can keep more fish and that’s good for your business.

[eagleyankfan]

A healthy fully rebuilt fishery can support a maximum sustainable yield of harvest.

What a crock of bullsh*t. It's a never ending battle with comm. fishery and rec fisherman. And I get the whole "we have a family to support" thing. But that statement, is pure, 100 percent bull. I'll make a deal with you, I'll go 100 percent catch and release if you go build a fish factory to breed fish to harvest like they do catfish. Why take from our oceans? I mean, catfish are done that way. Be an innovator. Be a leader in market where a market doesn't exist. What you shouldn't do though, is spew garbage sentences like that.

My comment was made in general, not just stripers so please don't keep blinders on and only see what YOU want to see/read.

Yes, I know. There are never waves of dead fish deemed as "by catch". And the Jersey "reefs" are NOT being flattened by draggers :rolleyes: . Those ARE things I SEE and KNOW as fact. Perhaps you're smart enough to explain WHY/WHERE whiting went? I mean, they were a full healthy fishery. I know, the rec. fisherman fished them all out! Right? But that's another thread.

Hudson River, I have no idea about. My point, as researchdude said, was the original post was off base. To figure out where the "Raritan Bay" stripers went, a starting point is to read Frank Daignault books. Follow that up with "where did the bunker go".

[Capt Sal]

the stripers have to go up the hudson to spawn.they stage in the bay before going up to spawn.they eat the migrate up.they follow the bunker eat as much as they can and go and spawn in fresh water.we catch them on return trip also.the last few springs the bunker run left something to be desired.when we should have been fishing close in the bay we were on the ocean side.WHY?because the bunker were there .a big movement of bunker went towards jamaica bay,the bass followed.the month of june the ocean run was good.WHY?because the bunker were there.the stripers are still here i8n good numbers and will go up the hudson to spawn.we need lots of schools of bunker to be in the area of raritan and princess bay to hold these fish.
reduction bunker boats are to blame.it is a simple equation bunker =bass.all game fish follow the food.why did we catch bluefin tuna this year?sand eels that is why.if the the bunker come in heavy to the bay the stripers will be on them.this is what I KNOW and i do it every day and have been for many years.the answer to the question is the bay stripers are still here just in different areas.the arhur kill had bunker last spring and we caught bass there.great kills saw the worst run of bunkers in years so did ah.so it is is said let it be written!

[Fishguts]

Raed the artical about fish stripers taken in the hudson river! I think that river runs into the bay the last time i was there?

If the fish spawn in the river and there is less fish doing the dirty then there will be less fosh going in and even less coming back in the bay from the river. Sounds like it a idea.

What was the commercial landings for striped bass taken from the Hudson last season? Is commercial harvest allowed in the Hudson? Is all NY waters closed to commercial stripe bass harvest from Jan1 to July 15. These are just a few questions that came to mind when I read the first post....Then I thought..... What if the season is closed during the whole spawning season..........what if harvest is banned above the GW bridge......what if the landings where 0 lbs, would it still be ok to blame some fisherman's poor bay catches on a few shad netters? Any help with pointing me in the right direction on finding these answers would be much appreciated thanks

[Fishguts]

[QUOTE=eagleyankfan]What a crock of bullsh*t. It's a never ending battle with comm. fishery and rec fisherman. And I get the whole "we have a family to support" thing. But that statement, is pure, 100 percent bull. I'll make a deal with you, I'll go 100 percent catch and release if you go build a fish factory to breed fish to harvest like they do catfish. Why take from our oceans? I mean, catfish are done that way. Be an innovator. Be a leader in market where a market doesn't exist. What you shouldn't do though, is spew garbage sentences like that.

Not sure about your post and not trying to to get personal with anybody.Garbage sentence? Bull?..... So I see that you seem to disagree that a "healthy fully rebuilt fishery can support a maximum sustainable yield". Is that what you call spewing:) LOL. Lets see how far fetch this concept is. Let fisherman be able have quotas and bag limits that give them the opportunity to harvest the most possible fish with out doing harm too the over all health of the fishery. Wow some crazy stuff... Not real sure about your points or lack there off with the rest of your post. Do you like catfish?

[mboy]

1st of all, their were a TON of bass in the bay Last April/May as we crushed them troilling 4-8' diving plugs on light tackle and others CRUSHED them on clams (100 fish days).
The problem came when the water warmed up and their were very little to NO bunker for them to feed on in the bay.

SO, they left andheaded down the coast where their was a GREAT run from Deal South.

NO bunker in the bay was the reason why the stripers left the bay mid-end of may last year PERIOD

Not illegals, not keeping larger bass (altho that will take it's toll eventually to a degree).

[eagleyankfan]

the stripers have to go up the hudson to spawn.they stage in the bay before going up to spawn.they eat the migrate up.they follow the bunker eat as much as they can and go and spawn in fresh water.we catch them on return trip also.the last few springs the bunker run left something to be desired.when we should have been fishing close in the bay we were on the ocean side.WHY?because the bunker were there .a big movement of bunker went towards jamaica bay,the bass followed.the month of june the ocean run was good.WHY?because the bunker were there.the stripers are still here i8n good numbers and will go up the hudson to spawn.we need lots of schools of bunker to be in the area of raritan and princess bay to hold these fish.
reduction bunker boats are to blame.it is a simple equation bunker =bass.all game fish follow the food.why did we catch bluefin tuna this year?sand eels that is why.if the the bunker come in heavy to the bay the stripers will be on them.this is what I KNOW and i do it every day and have been for many years.the answer to the question is the bay stripers are still here just in different areas.the arhur kill had bunker last spring and we caught bass there.great kills saw the worst run of bunkers in years so did ah.so it is is said let it be written!

Amen Capt.

[giantfan]

the stripers have to go up the hudson to spawn.they stage in the bay before going up to spawn.they eat the migrate up.they follow the bunker eat as much as they can and go and spawn in fresh water.we catch them on return trip also.the last few springs the bunker run left something to be desired.when we should have been fishing close in the bay we were on the ocean side.WHY?because the bunker were there .a big movement of bunker went towards jamaica bay,the bass followed.the month of june the ocean run was good.WHY?because the bunker were there.the stripers are still here i8n good numbers and will go up the hudson to spawn.we need lots of schools of bunker to be in the area of raritan and princess bay to hold these fish.
reduction bunker boats are to blame.it is a simple equation bunker =bass.all game fish follow the food.why did we catch bluefin tuna this year?sand eels that is why.if the the bunker come in heavy to the bay the stripers will be on them.this is what I KNOW and i do it every day and have been for many years.the answer to the question is the bay stripers are still here just in different areas.the arhur kill had bunker last spring and we caught bass there.great kills saw the worst run of bunkers in years so did ah.so it is is said let it be written!

I didn't read every word in the first 4 pages so I'm sorry if I am wrong, but, I can't believe that it took all the way to page 4 for someone to blame the lack of bass in the bay on the missing bunker. The bunker were in the ocean and so were the big fish. In early April we did pretty well in the bay with bait and bass but then they were gone.

I have also read in the past that the bass usually run on a 7 year cycle. I don't know if there is any truth in that but if there is.... it should have been a little slow last year. Think about the stupid fishing in the bay 7 years ago, and not only in the spring, the fall run kicked a$$ as well. I haven't seen a good fall run in the bay since 2002/2003

[IdidntDoit]

This post has gotten many ideas of the stripers and fishing in general. I live along the delawere river and was a shad fisherman. The last 5 years has seen the shad go from 25 to 30 hook ups in 6 hours to 3 if your lucky. large size of 25" to being lucky to get into the tourament min of 22". They still are comm fishing the fish and taking million of eggs from the river to stock other places in Pa. Everyone says that there not the problem!! I do not keep one shad because they are not good eating but one hell of a fighter! So as a rec fisherman I dont reduce the numbers but some how they get lower and lower runs!!!! I use to see the river raining with fry going down the river in sept/oct now i am lucky to see one 8' diameter of them floating down. The small stripers feed on this run and also sea gulls. Hundreds of them are in the Easton are to also feed on the fry. Now the Hudson river is also seeing a decline in shad numbers. Stripers also feed on the fry also not just bunker!!

Its all connected together and one or more out of place then something has to go down.

Solutions to the problem is more than one answer but a combo!

just hope this year I get more than one keep from going out 10 times for them paying 55 per trip. Maybe I'll bring my pole to Wegmans and catch the ones they have it would be lots cheeper but not as fun and seeing the sun rise or set!

happy fishing all!

[IdidntDoit]

PSSSSS: I love this message board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Capt Sal]

going out 10 times times and catching 1 keeper is a a good way to help the striper biomass lol:) :)