Seabass

How many anglers out there are interested in taking action regarding New Jersey's current Seabass fishery? Only a few years ago we relied on Summer Seabass as a 'plan B' when going out Fluking. As you all know, Fluking is hit or miss at best and one could always come home with a Seabass dinner if the Fluke weren't biting. I'm hearing of so many in-shore anglers resorting to 'filleting-and-releasing' many large Fluke just so that after spending big $$, they would have something to bring home. There are, in reality, very few alternatives to Fluking. The Ling have moved out to the mudhole, a one Tog limit isn't worth the effort, Bluefishing isn't for everybody, and you have a tough time getting past the hoards of jumbo Seabass to get to the Porgys. Are Seabass endangered in New Jersey and not in NY or Delaware? Is an 18" Fluke a realistic minimum size? I am a life-long Jersey Shore fisherman and I, like many others, am tired of taking it on the chin year after year. A little feedback from my fellow fishermen just may go a long way. Captain Ed Piersanti

[tautog]

I also think the rules are ludicrous. Civil disobedience and money are the only two viable answers. As for fishing, you can put me down for some porgy, tog, trigger action if you are going this Sunday.

[Capt.Yasar]

Are Seabass endangered in New Jersey and not in NY or Delaware?

I wonder the same. 3 different governing bodies have their own BS, rules and legalities which create differences in regs and then we have to watch out for the invisible state lines on water. Above all thier "scientific" estimates some times have a sharp contrast to what's being reported by head boats.
More law makers = More rules.

[Capt Joe]

Filet and release works great for six-packs, problem on headboats is it only takes one DICK with a cell phone keyed to Fish and Game, and every boat has at least one.
Time for a little more than civil disobedience.

Was suprised to see capt.eds post but he was right on.The sea bass stock has never been in better shape .I have a group off guys that fish out of new hampshire pretty often,they told me the lobster men are complainingthat the sea bass are so thick they are eating all the juvenile lobsters,HELLLOOOO.ONE GREAT DECISION THE REGULATORS MADE IS TO MAKE THE CONGER EELS A PROTECTED SPECIES,WAY TO GO GUYS.CAPT.TOM JOSEPH

[Flygaff]

I throw back 80 percent of what I catch. I pay my taxes as required. If I want to eat a fish for dinner on a particular night. I don't care if is the rare endangered black sea bass or a 16 inch fluke. I will keep it. I believe in conservation. I don't believe in the government policies.

Sorry Capt. Joe, but fillet and release DOES NOT "WORK GREAT FOR 6-PACKS" or anyone else.
Capt. Ed

[1captainron]

Originally Posted by Rightaway III

Sorry Capt. Joe, but fillet and release DOES NOT "WORK GREAT FOR 6-PACKS" or anyone else.
Capt. Ed

Love your passion Capt. Ed, you sound like me, but if the regulations come down on us again next year for no reason at all, Fillet and release will be the only answer. Just have to get everyone on the same page so we are one together..........YEA RIGHT!

[Capt Joe]

Originally Posted by Rightaway III

Sorry Capt. Joe, but fillet and release DOES NOT "WORK GREAT FOR 6-PACKS" or anyone else.
Capt. Ed

You're right Capt Ed, and we are forced to be pirates and lawbreakers, so be it.

[frugalfisherman]

It's like prohibition. What's your chances of being caught? If you are you pay a fine and get on with your business. If the rule makers had concern for us I would respect the law, but they don't. C'est la vie.