Striped Bass Regs for 2020

[Gerry Zagorski]

So it looks like we are over fishing again and there will be changes recommended to the regulations as a result.. Going through the internal draft stage now and will likely open up for public comment in August.

The stock assessments indicate a decline in the Spawning Stock Biomass which is a leading indicator of what's to come and deemed to be below the predetermined thresholds... In plain English this means there are thought to be not enough spawning Stripers to bring the fishery back to sustainable levels.

The other issue besides the stock assessments that comes into play when setting future regulations are assumed landings. You apply the "Best Science" assumptions which predicts future landings and the regulations are then decided upon that hopefully keep you under your quota and recover the Spawning Stock Biomass to sustainable levels...

Is your head hurting yet Are you still with me

It's assumed the 90% of the recreational fish are caught and released which is the good news. The bad news is they assume a 9% mortality rate (9% die after being released) which is responsible for 49 % removals since the fish are assumed dead and the remaining 51% is what was assumed to be caught and kept/removed.

The 9% mortality rate seems high to me, not sure about others here. I believe it's less since fishermen are a lot more careful about landing and handling Stripers then they used to be... I see very few gut hooked fish partly due to circle hooks and since people are not clamming as much. I've personally revived some big fish I thought we're done only to see them swim away...

Having said that, there are some fairly detailed scientific reports and studies that would dispute my gut feel on this... Like this one https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/D...tyresearch.pdf

Not sure where everyone else is on this fishery but one thing I am sure of is we are going to be looking at more stringent regulations in 2020. And, when public comment comes around and the options to keep us in compliance are presented (bag limits, season length, slot fish etc) you need to be prepared to make your voice heard if you want your opinion to count... Belly aching here does not count

OK..... let's have it!!

[mjz157]

Good...i'd be all for a moratorium. Things are in very bad shape and close to the point of no return.

[AndyS]

With the amount of dead striped bass photos I see posted on here in the spring I am surprised there any striped bass left at all.

[dfish28]

Whiting,Weakfish,Flounder,Flounder??
Gillnets and Draggers out of the game? hmmmm

[WhaleFart]

I’m an avid surf fisherman and practice c&r for striped bass. It’s been really bad for the last 3 years. I know the fish get pounded in staging areas for pre and post spawn as well as on their migration. To have a chance at a fishery in a decade I would support a complete shut down on stripers and or a 1 slot fish limit. Also support the use of circle or barbless hooks only.

[Skolmann]

Keep taking the big girls out for dock shots and of course there will be a decreased in the breeding population.

[tjd24]

Originally Posted by Skolmann

Keep taking the big girls out for dock shots and of course there will be a decreased in the breeding population.

Couldn't agree more.

Never understood why Captains keep the big breeders for a photo op when they rely on these fish to stay in business.

[Skolmann]

Not too many years ago the redfish population from South Carolina to Texas was on the verge of collapse. All this states imposed a strict slot and bag limit on redfish and in a relatively short amount of time the redfish population recovered to record highs levels. The slot limit in and my opinion junction with attitude of angler’s down there of not killing everything they catch-regardless if they are legal size has worked.

[TomKaye]

Agree 100% Skolmann.
Personally, I have taken one 30 something inch striper each month this past April May & June. My cousin is catching them now up in MA.
Have released multiples of same size as well as a couple I believe were over 43". Did not want to measure & stress them anymore.

Anyway, I am not bragging by any means. Maybe a striper moratorium is due. I would certainly abide by same for future fishing generations.
Heard a rumor recently that NC has declared a one year no catch no kill ban on
breeder size fluke. Anyone know details and if any truth to that ?
I can't imagine the damage that would due to our recreational and charter
community.

[WESTWIND]

Making the striper an artificial only fishery for a few years I believe would have a large impact on the biomass...