Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

We need 10 more to sail........... Is that correct? Plenty of notice on this one guys and gals. Let's fill this one for "FLUKES" sake!!! For our future, for our fisheries future.....

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

unfortunate to say there isnt much of a future. its the beginning of the end. rfa hasnt helped us. here i am basically just lost a third of my income. have a 2 year old son. and all anyone says is maybe itll get better next year. dont waste your money on bs organizations that dont get anything done.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

total disagree... They do a lot. Waste your money??? How about this being a time for more people to get involved.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

We need 10 more!!!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

I will update more on this trip tomorrow. I fully respect all the anger and disappointment related to the recent developments. I like most of you am feeling similar and have opinions on all the threads, posts etc regarding the Fluke situation. Having said that and after being on numerous phone calls all weekend and another meeting tonight I have decided to wait until all the Facts / reasons etc are clear and present before I share them here.

Enough speculation / blame flying around all over right now, some at the right targets, a lot unjustified.

As far as the trip, I think more than ever we could use a day on the water so still planning on moving forward with this trip. There may be a few tweaks to the fundraiser portion but again will update more tomorrow.

I have another 10-12 guys in the mix from my world so pretty sure we will be able to sail.

Thanks

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Dave well said let's not put the cart before the horse.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Dave thank you and everyone else involved for everything that you do

I couldn't agree more that this is the time to show your support and get involved instead of blaming other people and throwing your hands up in the air

Now is the time people , please if you can show your support and get on this trip ,

The funny thing is that I remember when most complained that if the trip was on a Saturday or A Sunday people would come out and fill the trip in minutes???


GDubs-:cool:

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

We had yet another meeting last night. As far as I am concerned the war on fishing regulations just heated up not died off because we lost another battle.
Its a war and again NO ONE is happy with the current situation whatever it may turn out tomorrow. The WAR is Quotas and MSA Reform
After 9 years participating I have learned and am still learning how difficult this is but believe doing something is better than doing nothing, and have seen many doing more than me at their own expense

As disappointing as the recent situation is I cant justify to myself giving up so this TRIP is ON. I WILL find enough to sail and then some. Talked to Capt Ron and he is excited to have us.

Update on fundraising for this trip:
- Because I still believe in the WAR 50% will go RFA-NJ and 50% to SSFFF
- To cover trip expenses as stated we need a minimum of 30 as I never have asked for a discount from our hard working captains, what they charge is what I pay.
- I cant given the current situation ask for raffle prizes from our local NJ businesses as in the past . I am sure you understand but I will try and get something from big industry.
- I personally am donating (1) Bogan Rod and 3 spots on my trips with Capt Jerry on the Fish Monger . (1) Spot each on July 25th , Aug 29 and Sept 5 Fluke trips
- We will do (2) 50/50 's a $20 and a $10 plus a boat pool for the most kept shorts LOL (Just kidding ASMFC and NOAA but by the way GFY)

So we give a NJ Party Boat some business, we fish for fluke, get out on the water, have some fun, maybe even bitch a little, learn more about the war we face, give SSFFF a few bucks and let loose a little.

Support and come if you want, Don't if you don't but we are going

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

I Dont think it could have been said any better.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Pool for the most shorts? At last! One I can win !!!!!
Now throw one in for the most shit fish and I'd be in heaven :D

Thanks Dales for all you do !

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Paid on line - joe the plumber!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Dales sign me up for two spots, might be a third will let you know by Tuesday. Not 100% certain I can make it but will pay you for two spots regardless.

As for everyone's frustration about the regulations, I share those frustration. Personally I feel like NJMFC caved on us but I also realize there's a lot at stake here. Most of us enjoy the benefits of the fishery recreationally, much different situation then if your livelihood depended on it and you had a six or seven figure mortgage on a boat and your earnings depended on this fishery to stay in business. Most here have jobs we wouldn't risk over 2 more fish at 18" and maybe 20 or 25 more days in the season. If we did, our view about the outcome of all this might be slightly altered. Washington knows that and has us by the short hairs in other words. It's not a good situation we find ourselves in but it is the situation nonetheless.

The only way we win this is through the courts, I agree with Dale in that respect. Either MSA is going to be overhauled or the fishery, in the absence of a complete change in NMFS management philosophy, will collapse. And since there's no reason to believe NMFS will suddenly decide to change their management ideologies, we're really looking at legislation to change MSA as our only viable hope. That or an outright Tea Party! Fighting Town Hall is hard enough, fighting the most powerful government in the world is virtually impossible but there are industry groups trying. Most of us, myself included, have no idea how much time and effort these organizations give of themselves to change this situation without personal compensation and they deserve and need our support. Supporting these groups is everyone's personal choice, but if choose not to then either get involved some other way and offer up a different approach to deal with this insanity or don't complain about the work these people are doing on our behalf or the outcomes we have forced down our throats every year. It's disingenuous.

For those who have read my posts, we know what the problems are.

Size limit increases causing the harvest of larger female breeders effectively destroying SSB reproductive capacity. Reproduction strength is down 80% over the last twenty years.

Increased demand for larger sushi grade summer flounder driving higher prices for larger fish at the wholesale level. Secondary issue is unknown impacts of hygrading commercial catch at sea while culling larger more valuable summer flounder.

Continued commercial harvest during offshore migration between September and November, summer flounder's primary spawning period. Inexplicable how NMFS allows this to occur while SSB is being destroyed

Getting the powers to be to acknowledge these facts predicated on their own science and data is another matter all together. Politics at it's worst. It's my hope this ends up in a lawsuit with NMFS's own data used to force change as a result of the negative impacts their policy decisions are causing on the economy which is a direct violation of MSA. Like everyone else, I'm angered having this forced down our throats every year. The only hope we have is that eventually the people working hard representing us will find a way to force the governing bodies to refocus their management efforts on issues confronting the fishery as opposed to managing to benchmarks levels set 41 years ago under MSA. Mandating the same senseless defensive measures year over year will do nothing other than cause continued harm to the fishery.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Tom (Dakota) Thanks and hope you can make it. Your work is appreciated and is helping. Keep it up

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Dave, just paid for 5 spots, might have one more tomorrow will let you know. Look forward to seeing everyone on the trip.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Great Tom. Look forward to fishing with you and your gang!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Added one more yesterday so paid for 6 in total. Are there any spots left or are we full?

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Got you all in Tom.
Plenty of room for more if you need. I have another 6 -10 committed but I have to break them out of the Asylum!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

So is this a go
Richie

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Of course Richie, you had doubts?
We are going

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

YEA BUDDY!!! Let's get outta here! Thank you to all participating thus far! I can't wait for this trip!

Dales......you da man!!!

Dakota.....sounds like your bringing your personal armada!!! Haha!

Thank you!!!:D

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Lets get this shit started!! Anyone who doesnt know me, ill be the one on the bow catching all the fish...:eek::eek::eek::eek: Trip is gonna be a blast as always. Good people and good times. Come on people lets fill this trip up!!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Your dad will be next to you losing all the bucktails. Haha, hope it isn't like three years ago.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

lol

Dont say that! He makes me tie his rigs sometimes:D

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

1st 10 on the boarding order have to fish with rental rods and bait!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

It's great so see that we now have 39 fares :)

It's disappointing to see that less than half are paid :(

Let's fix that please . . . Dave works sooo hard to keep us NJFlukers afloat, please send a check or RFA-paypal gift now :cool:

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

lol

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Got some hand crafted JJ Bitting brew secured for this trip

www.njbrewpubs.com

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Getting close boys! 9 spots left
Lets finish it off.

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Cant wait!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

I'm renting my rod off Glen and he is renting one off me Ladida

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Oh i just heard that on this trip everyone has to use mono and no jigs allowed!:eek::eek:

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Just a Heads up guys, Slater's Deli has come on board and donated Sandwiches for Lunch! Stop by in the AM on the way to the boat to pick up a Breakfast sandwich & coffee or bagel, anything to say thanks to Ralph & Ralph also!!:)

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

That is super nice of them. They make one bad ass breakfast sandwich. Thing is like 6in thick!

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Being that the RFA trip is booking up nicely , considering the quality of anglers on the trip and board bragging rights at stake, the order of boarding and getting a prime spot could factor into which angler ends up being top dog. Our group of six has spots 22 thru 27 boarding. I'd like to trade up to the top ten. After much thought, I'm willing to give up my keys to a 27' Grady White with twin 200 Yamaha outboards if I can interest six people in a trade. Even swap, your spot for my keys to the Grady. Any interested parties?

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Just for that you have to board last....:eek:

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Dave,

I know your post said the fare includes food and beverages but do you need us or is it alright to bring some other food for the trip. There's a place in South Orange that makes some great Sloppy Joe sandwiches, was going to pick up a few for everyone if that's OK. Let me know, look forward to what will be a great trip and meeting people up until now I've only known by their screen names. A worthy cause and I know Capt. Ron will put us on the fish. Going to be a great time for sure!

Tom

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Sandwiches from Slaters!!! Now it's a party! Delicious! 1 week away you fish stick eating Fluke masters! Can't wait to see all you WACKJOBS!!!:D

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Paid up, Dales will let you know if I can piece together a few more:D

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Noble (Not Nobile LOL) gesture by them.. sounds like its shaping up to be a nice trip... I'm still not bringing any gear, Me and Capt Ron gonna smoke Cubans in the wheelhouse and Tap the mic. every time Joey and Dubs swing and miss....

Re: 9th Annual RFA Flukathon Sat June 17th Official Sign Up
 

Gonna take the day off from freshwater fishing and will join the crew. Lefty Reeler has so generously offered to bring an extra lefty for me to fish with.

Mark me paid with paypal.