Originally Posted by Fishfish (Post 344877)

NJFishing.com Regular

" RFA? Senators, & Governor-Who helped?
So couldn't all these fishing advocacy groups and with the NRA come together as The United Sportsmans? I think that already exists? I guess more money goes to the lobbying of keeping guns than to keeping fishing rods. As been said, unity as the largest voting block will be the only means to political clout. The numbers should be there as I believe hunting but especially fishing is recognized as a larger sport / group participation wise, than even baseball. Have not heard any comment or posts from any of our advocacy groups, official or individual. Except Angler Paul - thanks!Thats it? a done deal?."...........

...... and not one reply? First this is all NIMBY. Every individual and group here has a "personal" agenda, of which there is disagreement amongst like mined individuals. All the individual fisherman advocacy groups here have a different specific interests and some in common. At last years meetings in Toms River this was very apparent (the disagreement over size and bag) The NMFS went with the majority - a voting block. So you would think this year our voice would be heard, except it was diluted with the interests of the other states. And Mickrazz you got it right. This is all about money and votes - "pay to play"... and politics...look at what just recently happened to our menhaden quota and Christie: "I want to be president"
As far as this short fluke revolt, I don't think so. Under many forms of government, petitioning must be legally recognized and acted upon as "initiative and referendum". This would possibly help. Consolidation as a lobbying and voting block of all sporting groups is the answer. Money and agenda is the problem. Government controls when apathy and complacency sets in - the ultimate failure and downfall of all democracy/ republic society. So who called NJ Senators Booker and Menendez? Who mailed them all the written comments against regionalization? Comments from our NJ fisherman"s advocacy groups? Haven't heard many? And a lawsuit? on what merit? but thats what it will take! as a start.

Originally Posted by Fishfish (Post 344877)

NJFishing.com Regular

" RFA? Senators, & Governor-Who helped?
So couldn't all these fishing advocacy groups and with the NRA come together as The United Sportsmans? I think that already exists? I guess more money goes to the lobbying of keeping guns than to keeping fishing rods. As been said, unity as the largest voting block will be the only means to political clout. The numbers should be there as I believe hunting but especially fishing is recognized as a larger sport / group participation wise, than even baseball. Have not heard any comment or posts from any of our advocacy groups, official or individual. Except Angler Paul - thanks!Thats it? a done deal?."...........

...... and not one reply? First this is all NIMBY. Every individual and group here has a "personal" agenda, of which there is disagreement amongst like mined individuals. All the individual fisherman advocacy groups here have a different specific interests and some in common. At last years meetings in Toms River this was very apparent (the disagreement over size and bag) The NMFS went with the majority - a voting block. So you would think this year our voice would be heard, except it was diluted with the interests of the other states. And Mickrazz you got it right. This is all about money and votes - "pay to play"... and politics...look at what just recently happened to our menhaden quota and Christie: "I want to be president"
As far as this short fluke revolt, I don't think so. Under many forms of government, petitioning must be legally recognized and acted upon as "initiative and referendum". This would possibly help. Consolidation as a lobbying and voting block of all sporting groups is the answer. Money and agenda is the problem. Government controls when apathy and complacency sets in - the ultimate failure and downfall of all democracy/ republic society. So who called NJ Senators Booker and Menendez? Who mailed them all the written comments against regionalization? Comments from our NJ fisherman"s advocacy groups? Haven't heard many? And a lawsuit? on what merit? but thats what it will take! as a start.

Originally Posted by rumster (Post 344895)

I called both Booker and Menendez for what it was worth... You hit the nail on the head though, in that it`s all about pay to play so that our voice is heard.
I agree, consolidation of the voting block as you mentioned is key towards a long term solution. Thanks for taking the time to voice your opinion it`s a great response.

Originally Posted by The Sinker Man (Post 344934)

RUMSTER,
I don't believe it would be that hard to get these letters to the general public. I'm not talking about just this area, but the whole state, but as you stated we need someone that could put this in motion..Perhaps if the ssfff, rfa and all the others fighting for us could get together they would be able to print up a ton of letters..Mick said to get a petition with 200,00 name, sorry Mick, that's not gonna happen. The letter could also say that unless that this matter is looked into then you can't count on our votes..Votes count .It would be ideal if a printer could be found in every county that relies on the income from the fishing industry. Volunteers could then pick them up and distribute them to other vol.who would drop them off to any store or business that would hand them out.And if the person was really concerned they would take a few to pass out to their family and friends.
Ok, who do you mail them to/
You find out the main man that appointed these people to the council that will not listen to the facts or the public and on a certain day bombard him with 100,000 letters.

Originally Posted by Fishing Dude (Post 345019)

First of all I would like to say ur all going to say I`m CRAZY. Especially since this is my first post on this site. But we need to start looking at things differently. Were not an oil companies, a big bank or auto maker. We can not buy politicians. No one is going to bail us out. We need to find someone who lives in our area. A pillar of the community and a fisherman. Why buy one when you can make one. This person needs to have the right pedigree, has a college degree, has never been arrested ect, ect. Maybe someone who is already involved in some low level of politics, a mayor of a town or something. So we get a jump start. Why 1 person lets make 3 in case the first two fail:eek: These people should be young because its going to take time. But not to young maybe between 40 and 45 years old. Every state from Maine to Fla. should do this. I know this is a NJ site but the regs. should be the same for all of us. Why fight over crumbs with other states when we can all eat from the same pie. United we stand divided we fall. There are more then a million fishermen in NJ its much easier to get someone to vote then it is to get them to dedicate thier time and money. Its even harder to get people to all come together at one time and protest. Maybe I am crazy, Crazy like a fox:D Rumster you wanted ideas here is 1. I don`t think taking short fish is the right way to change things. Unless it`s a 1/8 of an inch short then I just step on its head:D That solves 1 thing, what im eating for dinner.

Originally Posted by Fishing Dude (Post 345027)

Joey maybe ur right. F**K it pass Dah fillet knife :D I can`t wait for spring so I can kill some tog.