2015 Bass regulations: GET ON THE PHONE/WRITE AN EMAIL!
 

Well, I just got off the horn with the NJ Fish and Wildlife so this is straight from the horse's mouth.
We are under 2014 rules UNTIL THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE NEW REGS INTO LAW. There may be a time limit where it's enacted automatically but they were unsure of this.
The changes are, as many already know, 1 @ 28"-43" and 1 43" or bigger.
THE BONUS PROGRAM WILL BE DEAD IN THE WATER UNTIL SEPT. 1ST 2015 after which we will allowed a bonus tag slot fish 24"-under 28".

So I called the governors office, spoke to an aid and requested that Mr. Christie DELAY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE THE SIGNING OF THIS LAW because it will be terrible for our business.
If we can collectively make enough noise perhaps we can delay the rule changes long enough to get most of the Spring season under our belt before we are forced into what basically amounts to a 1 fish limit.
Am I pissing up a rope? Perhaps, but in the immortal words of R.P. MacMurphy, "I tried, though. Goddammit, I sure as hell did that much, now, didn't I?"

Governor Christie's office 609-292-6000

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im fine with a 1 fish limit, the fluke regs are a joke though.

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I would have been fine with 1 at 28" plus the bonus fish.
The over 43" is just stupid.

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[QUOTE=phil;398582]im fine with a 1 fish limit, the fluke regs are a joke though

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Unfortunately a one fish limit will hurt the party boat business. And one over 43 means a lot of injured or killed fish trying for that 43!

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I thought bonus tag was allowed to be used and it was 28 or over. till the fall when the bonus becomes slot 24-28 inches. I just saw another post on here about same regs I heard. someone please let me know the true regs so nobody gets tickets at the dock

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Read my original post above.

I called the NJ Fish and Wildlife office at Nacote Creek and that is what they told me.

Until Gov. Christie signs the changes into law we are still under 2014 rules.

That is why I'm appealing to anyone that feels the new rules are no good to call his office and delay the signing as long as possible.

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When speaking to Governor's Christie office (609-292-6000) the bill in question is A4146

You could also email his office regarding the bill
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/
Select Topic: Environmental
Sub-Topic: Fishing and Wildlife

New Jersey Legislature Bill A4146
Authorizes DEP and NJ Marine Fisheries Council to regulate taking and management of striped bass; establishes interim taking restrictions.

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/B...llNumber=A4146

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Yes! Somebody who's not a total intenet dummy like me! :p

Thanks, Joe for posting the links and additional info!

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So till he signs I can keep two 28 inch fish

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go back and read the new rules.
your bonus fish is one size now, then in the fall the size lowers so you can keep a smaller fish then which is perfect for the fall fishery

The 43" limit was so that for the most part because of the waves of fish you will be able to keep 1 fish , as it will be tough to keep 1 from each slot on a given day.
It makes it that you cant kill 2 twenty pound fish , as well as not killing 2 cows as it now is.

wish they would eliminate the bonus tags , as to me the fish are worth more than the measely 2 bucks.

whats going to happen now is NJ is going to overfish and really get a change next year , since we are the only State locally that didnt go to a 1 fish limit.

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I'm just relating, word for word, what the lady at the Nacote Creek office told me. I would hope she knew what she was talking about.
Where are you reading the new rules?

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actually have read 2 different scenarios in the last hour, both having NJ fish and Game logo on them.

1 was as posted by down deep that , the current bonus tag would remain as 1 fish over 28" until september 1 when it would go to a slot fish of 24-28"

The other email says that after this is signed into law the bonus tag would be eliminated until Sept 1 and then go to the 24-28"

seems there are two totally different readings that have come out of the meeting. so as usual until its written in stone who knows the real scenario

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That is why I called fish and game directly to clarify.

I wanted to hear it directly from them and what they told me is what I posted.

The number to the Nacote Creek office is 609-748-2020. I encourage everyone who has questions to call.

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should be on the division site in a few days.
loking forward to seeing it in writing there,as many times the workers at F/G give their interpertation of the rule that sometimes is incorrect

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It goes into law if the governor signs it or not under the new rules. I believe he has 10days left and then its in effect so phone calls will do nothing. Thanks Tom Fote for this mess he's the advisor who wanted the 2 fish.

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When a political office receives a volume of calls in a short period of time for or against a specific legislation it brings the matter to the attention of an elected officials for review as a "hot topic" for review. The office staff notes the call and the opinion of the person making the call. I have relatives who work in non-profits for various causes and they speak to senate and legisltative staff and this a real way to influence policy. So if you are for or against this legislation your call can make a difference.

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Why?

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I attended the meeting this past Thurs along with RBC 67. #1...the Gov has 13 or 14 days left to sign off on the legislation. If he chooses not to, it becomes law anyway. As for the bonus tag; the current reg stays in place UNTIL the Commissioner signs off on the new striper regs. At that point, the old regs including the 28" and over bonus fish become history. After that the bonus program closes and then reopens on Sept 1 and runs thru Dec 31. This process normally takes about 3 - 4 weeks.

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JBird -

Thanks for letting us know that we still have a chance to react to these new regs - I have just voiced my displeasure at the new rules.

Its very easy to do via the email option shown above. I encourage everyone to take 2 minutes to send their own email or call the office.

Matt

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quick email I sent hope more do the same. my concern is this will go thru without him even shuffling the papers around

Mr. Christie
I understand that you are a busy man and will not be reading this, but a staff member will. Bill a4146 the new striped bass regulations are completely ridiculous, if you do a little research yourself you will understand that forcing anglers to harvest larger fish 43" or greater is the complete opposite of conservation which the bill was supposedly designed for. The larger fish are the breeding females. The changes awaiting your approval can and will prove negative for the charter and party boat industry, along with tackle shops, marinas, delis, and all the other small and large businesses along our coast who depend on revenue from anglers. Please take the time to make the decision you feel is best for New Jersey, don't just let the bill go into law by default because it wasn't signed or shot down.

Thanks for your time

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So what is the concensus here? Seems like most don't like the 2nd fish to have to be 43 inches or more since that could result in taking of more breeders.

Should we be pushing for 1 fish at 28 or more and a bonus tag fish of the same size all season??

I'm thinking 2 fish at 28 or more with out a tag won't fly since projected landings would put us over our quota??

Thoughts??

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Really guys complaining about not wanting to keep a bass over 43" not being good for the fishery , when the same guys at the current regs will keep 3 cows over that 43" in the spring when that is what is available while using their bonus tags.

the new rules is going to limit most trips to just one bass, that will help the fishery, while also allowing many different age classes of fish to be taken , spreading it out.

really wonder how guys actually think things out, to me seems its all about how Many fish they can take home and nothing else conservated minded.

wanna really help the fishery, C/R is always an option if you want

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Kevin:

This is what I wrote to the governor on the link: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/
and then select: Licensing Board

Governor:
The law that is up for your signature is unrealistic; 1 fish over 28” and one fish over 43” will crush the industry, especially the Head boat/party boat business. I have been fishing on these boats for 50 years and in the last 5 years, there has been few and far between a striper caught 43” or above on the these type of boats, that I have been on. Those fish are special and take a unique way of catching them, which the head boats cannot support.
For the most you have to troll that head boats cannot do, or use live menhaden (Bunker), that you can’t buy, you have to cast net, which the head boats can’t do with the amount of patrons, and being so high off the water.
The only way to save the industry is to implement the Bonus Tag Program (24” – 28”) slot early, not the scheduled time of Sept 01 2015, if this is implemented now and not later would make a world of difference.
I know this might not ever get to you, but I might get luck; like catching a 43” bass of a head boat.

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REALLY Mc , a 43 " fish is about a 27 pound fish.
Head boats catch fish like that ALOT, especially eeling at night.
also many of the head boats from both Belmar and PP have been snag and dropping for some time know , and have done well catching big bass.

Heck on charter boats we catch so many 30-40 pound bass , that something has to change.
Charter boats as well as personal boats have been crushing these fish with reckless abandon for too long.

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Yes, but they are not the norm and if you count on that for patrons or money, you're going to be hurting! Also, you have very few headboats that make the night trip. One or two a port. Plus, I never mentioned charter boats!

And, the snag and dropping is great, try that with 70 people, that is fine for 15 people trips. Seriously; Belmar and PP is not the best example, where to the fish sometimes; the Raritan/NY Bay, is where you show up anyway, you always say we went "north" that means the Raritan/NY Bay! And, for the most your target fish is bluefish, why I don't know.

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Charter boat as well as personal boats NEED to be taken into account.
There are 10 times the guys fishing for bass nitely as were 10 years ago.
and with the current regs are destroying the fishery that took a long time to rebuild.
doing anything to lessen the amount of fish taken is going to help this fishery stay solid, and give pleasure to the thousands of guys who love fighting these fish .

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My personal feelings are to release all the big fish HOWEVER I am against any law that would prohibit the taking of 1 trophy. I have released every large bass I ever caught (and plenty of smaller keepers) with the exception of a tournament situation. That includes my personal best over 40 lbs and some 30's. Maybe one day I'll be able to release a 50+.

That being said I absolutely respect any angler who wishes to take a large fish home and eat it. Hunters and fishermen are the last of the hunter gatherers and I have a deeply held belief in the right of capturing of your own food. BUT when I see guys with 3 dead cows I begin to wonder, "How much is enough?" One 30+ pound bass is a lot of meat. Do you really need to take home 3?

Now, I am absolutely biased because I rely on striped bass to earn a living. But I also reside in a state WITH NO COMMERCIAL FISHERY FOR STRIPED BASS, and feel that because of that we recreational anglers should be able to keep more than 1 bass IF WE CHOOSE TO. If I had the power I would make this fish a gamefish coastwide and our issue would be resolved overnight.

The rules as they are with a second fish over 43" will actually encourage some anglers, not all, to keep that big fish.
It will hurt my industry because some people won't want to pay for the chance to only keep one fish, which is effectively what this rule is going to do.
Why in the wide wide world of sports would they actually encourage people to kill a cow? It makes no sense at all.
If I had the chance to rewrite our regs I would have 1 fish at 28" or better and 1 bonus tag fish over 28". I actually like the bonus fish being switched to a slot in the Fall too. Honestly, I wish I got a tag for every cow I released that authorized me to keep a 18"-24" bass for the table.
So there's my 2 cents.

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J Bird, were def very close to the same page.
Its a hard line we must follow to what is right for the fish as well as the business.
Charter guys are a little luckier as there are guys who will pay to C/R, not as much with the anglers fishing on the head boats that are def there to bring fish home.

I def think the slot fish size is something that has needed to be put back into the fishery and def will be good for the fall fishery.

Just knowing that those big cows will no longer be allowed to use a 2$ tag to take makes me happy as to me that fish is worth way more than that.

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That's all I have been saying!

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You are correct, when they did the study, they only went by tonnage, not the economy or industry. To me that is a flawed study!

See ya next weekend. RJ

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I think it needs to be said that the rules are going to kill fish. Here's how.
Guy goes out on a party boat, catches a 32 inch bass and keeps it. Why wouldn't he? It's a really nice fish.
It's a good day and the guy catches another fish, 36 inches this time. Because he's clamming off a party boat it takes a bit of time to get the fish to the boat as they are anchored and the current is screaming. By the time the mate nets it it's mouth is hanging open from exhaustion.
Then it's in the boat.
Then it gets measured and the mate says, "It's not over 43" so you're supposed to release it."
Then the guy uses some extremely colorful language to describe the regulations he's supposed to follow. (Don't even get me started on how we are supposed to run a pool)
Then he figures he should take a picture with this big fish to prove to his buddies he's not full of s**t.
Then he throws it back. Dead or close to it because it's basically impossible to revive a fish when you can't hold it in the water. Maybe, just maybe, the mate has the time and inclination to attempt revival by lip gaffing the bass and holding it's head into the current until it perks up, but that's a big maybe.
The crabs are going to be happy.

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That will happen all the time.

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This is what happens when you let the tree huggers become politicians and climb that greasy poll and become the DEP and NJ Marine Fisheries Council to regulate!

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their job is to save fisheries, not the economy nor fishing industry.
due to straight greed of take take take , many fisheries have suffered.
Problem is so many are used to the OLD ways of take take take.

The more fish around to catch , the longer the industry will last.
at least if there are fish to catch and release , and take a few home guys will fish.
make the fishery crash , no one will be paying to fish like has happened in the past.

Just look at how long we have not had a winter flounder fishery.
when they are crushed it takes a LONG time for them to recover.
all the years of no limits did that, when guys filled garbage cans daily with fish .

if a limit had been imposed sooner the fish we started off with each spring would still have a sustainable fishery.
and it wouldnt be limited to 2 fish.

.
while NMFS seems to come up with really bad numbers on many of the fisheries, limits to stay on the safe side are def better than reckless abandon

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I respectfully disagree with some of your points.
Recreational hook and line fishing has never put anything on the endangered species list.
Never. Period.
Comparing flounder to bass is comparing apples to oranges.
The flounder have been getting hammered by the draggers for over 100 years and there is still a commercial quota in NJ, unlike stripers.
While I completely agree that the days of unlimited garbage cans full of fish is not the proper way to manage the resource, I think the current bass rules have NJ anglers suffering in spite of the fact that we have ZERO COMMERCIAL HARVEST. If the other states followed NJ's example than this is a non-issue. Every state could have a 2 fish bag and the stock would remain healthy.

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The striped bass issue is DEFINETLY a recreational issue , as WE are theo ones killing the bass, since their isnt a commercial interest in most states.
the amount of fish killed in excess in Virginia, NC and NJ alone has put a severe blow to the stocks.
The amount of roe laden fish that had been being taken each winter in VA was insane.

and I def disagree that recs didnt put a hurting on the winter flounder fishery.
when there were no limits on them the fish were way over fished.

Problem was we always want to blame it on someone else.
Whole reason I stopped running charters was I couldnt stand being part of the problem when it came to stripers.

Got tired of the greed of it becoming more about a dock shot than fishing and having a great day on the water.

and to be honest if you compare the amount of Bonus tag harvests to the amount draggers took I would bet even that portion is over fished.
guys buy a 2$ tag and dont fill it out unless it looks like they are going to get checked.
im sure some are used more than a few times over .
I wouldnt let anyone put a fish in the cooler until that tag was filled out in pen.

I will say there also has to be more limits imposed on ALL the types of fishing, both RECS and Commercial, so that both industries can sustain.


Just ten years ago there used to be about a dozen boats fishing for bass during the week oceanside. now its not uncommon to see 200 boats or more, and three times that on a weekend.
more fisherman means more fish getting pressure,
its in that the numbers go way up on the fish being taken daily

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I never said anything about striped bass not being a recreational issue. I'm saying that hook and line recreational fishing alone has never put a species, stripers included, on the endangered species list. I don't want to talk about flounder anymore. This thread is about bass.
Indeed the recreational landings now exceed the commercial ones, by a lot. Here is where I think we need to shift priorities in managing the resource. The 7 million pounds of bass landed by the commercial sector on an average year coastwide, NONE OF WHICH COMES FROM NEW JERSEY, could be allocated to the recreational sector. Or it could be left alone if alll the other Atlantic states followed New Jersey's lead and made bass a gamefish.
The economic value of the stock to the recreational sector far outweighs the value to the commercial one. It's not even close.
I agree that there are greedy people who want personal glory more than a sustainable fishery. But if we had a 7 million pound cushion we could all have a sustainable 2 fish recreational limit.

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take that 7 million pounds
divide it by 20 pounds ( since at current regs there are prop more 25+ pound fish taken than the 10 pounders , and all the fish bigger than that 30+
you get to catch 350,000 bass
divide that by 10000 boats ( which is way low when you add the coastal states)
that means each boat can catch just 35 bass for the season.

I catch that on 1 good night, what about the other 3 months of fishing I do for bass.

while big numbers look like alot of fish , it really isnt when you have the pressure these fish recieve

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Where did you get your stats? Plus, your discussion is leaned towards a charter boat, and ignoring the head boat industry that doesn't harvest the big fish. They are totally different, neither will benefit from the law, but the charter industry will suffer less. So, now we know how you stand.