Fluke Regs.

[pulltaug]

Reading some posts on here I'm a bit confused about why some are upset about this year's Fluke regs.

To me it seems like a fair season. I don't mind the May 18th start and the closing date. The size works well for party boats and private boats. And the limit seems fair.

If anything I would have liked to see a 4 fish limit.

1. I catch my limit - I get 10 nice fillets - how much more do you really need?
2. I usually don't keep fish under 19 anyway
3.Early in the season - Love being able to fish for Striped ones in the AM and then afternoon flukin when the water warms up.

Honestly to me the regulations don't bother me. I'll catch fluke - keep what I eat and put the rest back.

Can someone explain to me why some are upset at these regs?

I would assume folks are worried about the quota and next year's regs?

thoughts?

[chrislars]

a longer season would be a big benefit to the party and charter boats. there is kind of a gap now between the end of fluke season and when the stripers really show up. that's the only thing i see to complain about.

[jmurr711]

a longer season would be a big benefit to the party and charter boats. there is kind of a gap now between the end of fluke season and when the stripers really show up. that's the only thing i see to complain about.

thats all i am worried about. Fluke on the signs brings folks aboard! hopefully they will have seabass to target until november.but hey a few years ago we thought we weren't even going to have a fluke season & talk of 20inches & 1 fish was around. Fluke are only bycatch when sea robin fishing anyway but for some reason ya'll lovem!!!!!!!!!

[PAMonger]

The 17.5" size is IMHO as much or more a help to party boats as the season length. Someone who takes home 2 17.5" fluke with shorts is more likely to return than someone who spends all day throwing back 17.75"s and shorter.

For charters, more often they have the more experienced anglers who would probably understand better throwing back those fish as they are in search of the big ones.

Just my 2 cents... don't know if i'm wrong or right. But, it will help me convince rookies to give it a 2nd shot if they take home a meal or 2.

[Reel Class]

the complaints are (at least from my perspective) are coming on the back end of the season - NOT the size limit & bag limit... After fluke closes you have a gap between fluke and bass - seabass/tog are questionable and you have to fill the boat targeting porgies & triggerfish and/or albies and bluefish... That gap is where the complaints are coming from...

Filling that gap, whether it's with more liberal weakfish regs or the other stuff that was mentioned would help but interest will wane once fluke closes..

[PAMonger]

Maybe someone can help me out with this, but i would think the poundage that we take would be lower for every day added earlier in the season compared to later. It seems like the May/June fluke, even the longer ones, are very thin, compared to an August/September one of the same length. Does that factor into the season considerations for when we get them?

[Pete]

Even if any of the other options won out, there would still be those that will complain. Because there were tradeoffs with all the options. According to the njfishing.com poll, option #3 won. While it's true the poll was by no means scientific it did show a clear majority.

From my perspective it is what it is. The fishing community as a whole is divided, splintered is more like it. If a pile of shyte was placed in front of us it's highly unlikely we'd agree on the color. If there is one thing that is certain it would be, all agree, that there has got to be a better way. God only knows when we'll get there.

I guess we'll have to lick our wounds and hope, that with what little hope remains, we do get the longer season at the next meeting. However, overage real or perceived could be a possibility. If we got the extension and went over; no matter if we believe that it did or not. It could spell disaster next season. But, as Lab and others have stated and I fully agree, September the past five years has been a bust. I count myself amongst the fortunate that I don't earn a living as a party or charter captain. These guys just keep on taking one hit right after the other, be it mother nature or the government. Talk about scratching out a living. I feel for you guys.

Maybe we'll get a bridge season with the sea bass...........YEAH RIGHT!

[PocketFisherman]

Didn't New York keep opting for larger minimum size and reduced bag limits in order to get more days to fish? Curious how that worked out for them?

[Reel Class]

Didn't New York keep opting for larger minimum size and reduced bag limits in order to get more days to fish? Curious how that worked out for them?

Nice job on that Tim, the voice of reason.

+1 on that one :)