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Originally Posted by Njmat567
Hey Great catch guys it sounds like a blast. Just curious though, those quality size sea bass your catching on the Big J way off shore, are those fish the breeding size fish? Is there a maximum size biscuit you could keep? i am asking because all of the recent bans on sea bass season over the past couple years . Maybe there should be a sea bass "slot limit" for a few years. Instead of taking 15 22" fish, make it something like 15 fish 12" to 18"i think over the long run this would improve quality and numbers of sea bass fishing. Great trip, nice fish and a good friends.... gotta love fishing. let me know if u have any answers
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The recent and previous closures for Sea Bass have nothing to do with problems with the stock, real or perceived. They have been a result of MRIP claiming the coast has exceeded its quota for a given time frame/landings one year vs. quota for the subsequent year, etc.
The stock is considered to be at 110% of its rebuilt level.
Nov and Dec were closed because sea bass are so numerous that we are supposedly catching way above our quota in a short amount of time.
Literally they are so thick we cannot help but catch them but the quota is at historic lows due to the precautionary rule despite the fact that the stock has exceeded its rebuilding target by a sizeable amount.
Also, Sea Bass are female to start. When the dominant male (they are known to have 'harems' of multiple females....lucky dogs) is removed from a group another will take its place. In absence of another local male they will change sex and become the dominant male.
