These are the summer flounder measures approved by the ASMFC Board for 2012

[bostich36]

Any recent news about this years fluke regulations?

[VdubFishinJC]

hope it stays the same!

[Rayman1]

AnglerPaul told me to post this for you guys....


To All,

Below are the summer flounder measures approved by the ASMFC Board for 2012. What they approve is the methodology that come up with these options and more options can be run using this methodology and all these options might not be forward at the advisors for the meeting next week. I have attached the ASMFC file where this is information is located. It also contains other states proposals that were approved for your FYI. This is what will be discussed at next weeks NJMFC Advisors meeting. You can send this out to the club representatives for there input before the meeting but they will have a chance to vote on the options at the next JCAA General meeting since that will happen before the next council meeting. Remember not all these options might be put forward and there could be other options presented.

Whoever goes to the meeting should write up an article for the next JCAA Newspaper. I do not go to these meeting since I see my job as the GA to the ASMFC is to bring back these option for the NJMFC to make a decision.

There were no tables presented for black sea bass since we were not sure what percentage we would be using. The ASMFC Technical Committee will be approving our options in the next couple of weeks before the NJMFC but I will imagine that the Division will have a table reflecting a 57% increase for next weeks advisor meeting. I hope this is helpful.

Tom

New Jersey
2011 Harvest Target: 1,335,000 fish
2011 Landings: 787,234 fish
2012 Harvest Target: 1,090,407 fish
Alteration for 2012: 38% liberalization
2011 Regulations:
Minimum Size: 18�
Possession Limit: 8 fish
Open Season: May 7-September 25
Proposed 2012 Measures:
Option Min Size Bag Limit Open Season Liberalization
1 18� 8 May 7 - September 25 0%
2 18� 8 April 28 - October 14 32%
3 18� 8 April 7 - September 23 32%
4 18� 8 May 5 - October 21 32%
5 17.5� 5 May 5 - September 23 29%
6 17.5� 5 April 29 - September 23 38%
7 17.5� 5 May 5 - September 29 38%

* Liberalization results based on catch per trip from NJ VAS and average coastwide weight per fish of 3.14 pounds
MRIP vs MRFSS Summary:
For 7 out of 8 years, the NJ MRIP landings estimate was less than the NJ MRFSS landings
estimate. From 2004 to 2011 the MRIP annual landings estimate was 10% lower than
MRFSS on average. The 2011 MRIP landings estimate would allow a 50% liberalization vs
a 38% liberalization under MRFSS.
Technical Committee Recommendations: MRFSS and MRIP: Approve
The options for 2012 as proposed are technically valid under MRFSS

[Topeka Boy]

Summer Flounder
(Fluke) May 7 to Sept. 25 18"
See also Fed Regs 8 bag limit;) ;) ;)
See also Fed Regs for 2012

[River Rat]

^^^ subject to change^^^

Lets hope for the better...Season is long enough, a smaller size like 17.5" wood be nice. :cool:

[VdubFishinJC]

18inches and 8 bag limit its fine wit me.. just as long as they keep the season open for a good amount of time..

[VdubFishinJC]

2011 Landings: 787,234 fish.. we got them good!

Either #3 or #4.. They look the best.. 8 fish which is good.. and long season too.. i dont mind the 18in size limit..

[bostich36]

^^^ subject to change^^^

Lets hope for the better...Season is long enough, a smaller size like 17.5" wood be nice. :cool:
I agree

[VdubFishinJC]

18in is fine.. dnt get greedy bc we could end up like New York FORGET TAT!!

[Topeka Boy]

if I remember right I think NY is 19 1/2 and 3 limit:eek: :eek:

[Perfect Drift]

When they offer smaller size (17.5) take it.....mayn never have another chance

[Blackfish Doug]

What about the winter Flounder???:confused: Isn't about time that they change that:confused:

[Foul Hook]

Big fat winter flounder 10miles east in the summer;). Of course they're not in season for us rec guys:mad:

[Knot Guilty]

X2 Doug for President

[Chris G]

#5 imo.

[Solemate]

MRIP landing estimate. Where does that come from?

[Spyke]

#7 I personally think is the best.

[Garone Custom Rods]

Option 2 or 4 please!

[bostich36]

Here are the regulations options:

1.. 18 inch @ 8 *fish...May 7 - September 25 0%
2... 18 inch @ 8 fish... April 28 - October 14 32%
3... 18 inch @ 8 fish....April 7 - September 23 32%
4....18 inch @ 8 fish.... May 5 - October 21 32%
5....17.5 inch @ 5 fish... May 5 - September 23 29%
6 ...17.5 inch @ 5 fish... April 29 - September 23 38%
7 ...17.5 inch @ 5 fish... May 5 - September 29 38%

[drifter33]

#7 works for me, ( of what's listed ). But come on.......trade 3 fish for 1/2 inch?
And offer cold water April fishing? Sept. and October would be way better for some bigger fish gathering up on the lumps.

[VdubFishinJC]

Here are the regulations options:

1.. 18 inch @ 8 *fish...May 7 - September 25 0%
2... 18 inch @ 8 fish... April 28 - October 14 32%
3... 18 inch @ 8 fish....April 7 - September 23 32%
4....18 inch @ 8 fish.... May 5 - October 21 32%
5....17.5 inch @ 5 fish... May 5 - September 23 29%
6 ...17.5 inch @ 5 fish... April 29 - September 23 38%
7 ...17.5 inch @ 5 fish... May 5 - September 29 38%


#3 or #4

[hofnodinstructor]

A chicken and a pig are peering through the dining room window at a family having a breakfast of ham and eggs.

“Doesn’t it make you feel good to know that you can make a contribution to the happiness and well being of a family like that?” the chicken asked.

Making a wry face, the pig replied, “For you it is a contribution, but for me it is total commitment.”

The moral of that story is that decisions on season and size of fish should be made by the people with commitment--the party and charter boat captains. The rest of us are only contributors.

[imhooked]

i like opt #7 i caught a ton of 17 1/2 last season

[LongBallLarry]

I like #2 or #4...

[Dave A]

What about the winter Flounder???:confused: Isn't about time that they change that:confused:

Doug,
I feel your pain but unfortunately winter flounder are managed? by the New England Marine Fisheries Council.

[flukemaster1]

I prefer option #3 or #4. Can't wait! :)

[flukemaster1]

I prefer option #3 or #4. Can't wait! :)

[mikeytheflop]

I'll take a #4 with fries and a small coke!

[frugalfisherman]

A lot would depend on when seabass is closed. If they close it the month of october you would want fluke extended for the sake of party and charter boat captains. That would be #4

[shrimpman steve]

#7 makes most sense to me. although I can see the argument about giving up three fish.

[Gerry Zagorski]

You can bet most of the fish we will be catching will be right under 17.5 but I'd still prefer the longer season with 18 inch fish.

[stevelikes2fish]

No. 4 looks real good.

[TomKat]

Don't give up any fish.For any reasonYou may never get them back again.Would'nt it be nice to have a real winter flounder season again.Man I miss making those chum logs.

[Skolmann]

5 or 7 works for me.

[irishc]

A lot would depend on when seabass is closed. If they close it the month of october you would want fluke extended for the sake of party and charter boat captains. That would be #4
And don't forget Blackfish is closed in Sept and the first three weeks of Oct.

[Fishin Polski]

One vote for #4

[Dollar Bill]

Definitely like option 4 for the late season if the hurricanes don't end it abruptly. # 7 is nice for the half inch but don't like giving up fish. :(

[slammer]

I like #7 but it should be a six fish limit

[bostich36]

I personally like #4 or #7

[hartattack]

:confused:

:confused:

I see conflicting info here: http://www.asmfc.org/meetings/winter2012Mtg/SummerFlounderScupBlackSeaBassBoardSupplemental.pd f

The ASMFC summary for NJ shows a proposed bag limit of FIVE 17.5" fluke (options 5,6,7 on original poster's message). However the earlier memo from NJ's principal biologist (Table 4 on link above) suggests a FOUR fluke limit in 2012 for 17.5" fish :confused:

Is this merely a "typo" on ASMFC's part or are they being overly generous to NJ ? Inquiring minds need to know . . . . . :confused:

[jmurr711]

people eat those things they are flat thats weird. longer season and no drop in bag the pbs and charter boats need something to fish for since sea bass & tog are draconian regulated

[Irish Jigger]

#4

[cool hand fluke]

My vote is to leave it at 18 inches and give us into Sept and Oct for the extended season and shot and the BIG flatties....Al

[arat]

. I think that extra 1/2 inch is nice. especially for guys fishing piers and back bays. I like the option that has 17 1/2 inch from april 29 to sept. 23 or 29

what needs to happen is lighter regs on tog and sea bass and a hopefull return of the porgies

[Togawar]

#4 gets my vote and 8 tog again would be nice

[bostich36]

When does the meeting for the final decision take place.

[Falcon]

Getting around that time to regroup... the longer season would be nice...By that time fuel will be $6.00 gal....

[Angler Paul]

The advisors meeting is on 2/15 and is not open to the public. Representatives from the state as well as various fishing organizations will be there. At that time some of the proposals will be tweaked or deleted while it is also possible that a couple new ones might be added. After the meeting the NJFMC will narrow it down to just a few choices for the public. The regulations for both fluke and sea bass will then be set at the NJMFC meeting on 3/1. This is the one where the general public is allowed to comment before the NJMC makes their final decisions. I will post more info. on the meeting and the final options within the next few days.

Paul Haertel

Jersey Coast Anglers Association - 2nd V.P.
Berkeley Striper Club - Tournament Director
New Jersey Beach Buggy Association - member

[jquincyk]

ny went to two fish at 19, i was told

[fin_s_guy]

8 fish bag limit @ 18" with as long a season as possible....although last years Irene sure shut the door on late season Flukin'!

[Sparky4711]

This to me is a no brainer, I'm a six pack guy when the last time u and yours fishing buddy's caught 8 fish each. 30 fluke is a great day!!!!!

[JBird]

Few people will limit with the 18" size and a lot of big throwbacks are going to become crab food. I don't know about you but 8 fish is a lot. I would be happy with 6 fish AT 17 INCHES.

Even better?

6 fish total, 3 18" or better, 2 between 16"-18" and 1 fish over 24".

Save the perfectly filet-able, edible 16-18in. crab food, a shot at 3 nice big fluke and a shot at keeping a real whopper while encouraging the release of big breeder females.

SO HERE IS THE QUESTION: Under the rules stated above would you as an angler:

A) Release more big fluke (in non-tournament/pool situations) if you already had some meat in the box, especially your 2 slot fish?

B)Release "bigger" fluke (fish that would be the one over 24" but not true doormat size) in the hopes of catching a bigger fish?

C)Kill 'em all.

[Angler Paul]

I don't need to keep 16-18" fluke as there is really not all that much meat on them. I target much larger fluke and prefer to be able to fish for them into October. While I commend those who release the really large fluke, I like to keep them.

[Reel Class]

This to me is a no brainer, I'm a six pack guy when the last time u and yours fishing buddy's caught 8 fish each. 30 fluke is a great day!!!!!

Sparky,

Not tooting my own horn here but we had quite a few days where we had 30+ keepers last summer. Yeah it takes long days but we did it to them when everything was right.

In regards to the question posed here, I'm really torn as to what I want and what I want for my customers. Lowering the minimum size a half inch will probably get us even more keepers, but as always we'd be tossing back loads of 17.499999" fish that are a hair short as we do when we are throwing back the 17.99999" fish that we've tossed back the last few years.

Losing three fish to the bag limit while gaining back a half inch sorta seems like a bit of a stalemate as you are gaining a little in regards to WHAT you can keep, but are losing out on how many fish you can take home. If we give up those 3 fish, it's a sacrifice we're making and we are literally giving up those three fish we may never get back.

To me the debate over the LENGTH of the season is also a tough one. In the last 10 years, with the exception of a season or two, we've had fluke to be caught in September (when it was opened through the month). Usually a late summer Noreaster or as was the case last year, a hurricane will chase the fluke out of our area and for all intents and purposes end the season well before October 1. BUT, with draconian measures being put on seabass and tog we will have little to fish for in "early fall" and having fluke available, at least as a target, can get some bodies on the boats and keep people excited about fishing until bass get back in town and tog/seabass reopens.

So with that said, I think option #4 is probably the best bet for me and my business (the only 17.5" option that I LIKE is #7), but I can see the 17.5" option working well for boats that fish in the bays (both D-Bay and R-Bay) and for the party boats who can probably get a few more fares with a lowered size limit.

Just my $.02 :D

[Sharkyispy]

I'll "weigh" in and go with #4. Unless the tuna run stays later into the season, at least having the chance to get out for a late season fluke would be appreciated. Sounded like quite a few fluke caught after the season this year even with the big storm blowing it all to heck. The half inch on the fish is not going to make the difference in most cases. As allen said, they will miss by that one tenth of an inch under 17.5 vs 18. And, at least then as I did this past year in a few instances, can limit out with a higher number of nice sized fish. There seemed to be plenty this year.....

[GottaGo Joe]

[QUOTE=SaltyAngler]Not sure if this is the real deal or not, but....



Salty, the regs stay at the previous years regs until they are officially changed. The change will come I believe next month, we will then be fishing under the new regs.
If there are no changes for any particular species the previous years regs are to be followed.

[SaltyAngler]

Indeed. I didn't notice the *

Didn't have my morning cup of coffee. :rolleyes:

[GDubya07]

Longest Season Possible

GDubs-:cool:

[Angler Paul]

I expect the sea bass regulations to be more relaxed than last year but I will have a better idea tomorrow.

[SaltyAngler]

May 1 - Oct 31

:D :D :D

[LongBallLarry]

I also believe option #4 is the way to go...

[Knot Guilty]

#4 seems good for now

[Ryan W]

IMO...

I like the last option. Although last summer I only worked fluke 1-2 days a week, I never saw anyone get over 4 fish over 18 inches (keep in mind we are half day). I heard about other customers on other days getting more than 4 or 5 keepers, but it certainly was the rarity rather than the norm.

Although last year was better than the year prior, I still did throw back a lot of 17.5-18 inch fish that were slightly too small. I know we would keep having the "just too small" fish, but it would be nice to hold on to those 17.5 to 18" fish, would give a lot more customers SOMETHING to take home, which I think is the biggest factor for me in terms of money made for me on deck, and I'd guess that the money boat owners make has a strong correlation to the amount I make on deck. We don't lose that many days on the end of the season with this option (and everyone begged for a longer season last year and then irene reared her ugly head and that was the end of that) and from my perspective (and I have some skin in the game, not as much as the full-time fluke guys or boat owners but some) this is the best option. I have no idea what the others I work with think about this option or anything, but from my perspective this is the option I'd most like to see.

[bostich36]

Any News on today's meeting?