VA closes TROPHY striped bass season

[hammer4reel]

https://www.chesapeakebaymagazine.co...ates-to-follow








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[mjz157]

Great news...hopefully other states including NJ follow suit and shut down or put severe restrictions on pre-spawn fish in the bays/rivers.

[AndyS]

What would all the party boats and charter boats do if they did that in New Jersey ?

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by AndyS

What would all the party boats and charter boats do if they did that in New Jersey ?

Same thing the thousands of charter boats in VA are doing .
Wishing they hadn’t pushed so hard about taking fish pre spawn every year .
And had promoted a more catch and release fishery.
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[reason162]

From the article, looks like their rec anglers are on board:

In a letter sent to VMRC two days before the vote, the Virginia Saltwater Sportfishing Association expressed its support for the emergency closure. Apparently 70 percent of the anglers it polled say they’re in favor of the closure.

“As you know striped bass are highly valued by fishermen along the coast and most are willing to reduce their catch if it will help the overall fishery… Some feel that bold action to protect striped bass is overdue.”

[reason162]

Originally Posted by AndyS

What would all the party boats and charter boats do if they did that in New Jersey ?

What would they do if the fishery collapses?

[mjz157]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

Same thing the thousands of charter boats in VA are doing .
Wishing they hadn’t pushed so hard about taking fish pre spawn every year .
And had promoted a more catch and release fishery.
.
.

this...you reap what you sow. hopefully it's not too late.

[mjz157]

Originally Posted by AndyS

What would all the party boats and charter boats do if they did that in New Jersey ?

at some point maybe some of these captains will have some business sense knocked into them and realize that the dollar they are earning today by killing all these breeders will result in the 10 dollars they could have earned in the future going bye bye.

[captmark]

Originally Posted by AndyS

What would all the party boats and charter boats do if they did that in New Jersey ?

Yes we would take a hit but its over due, we are killing the future for what a few dollars, and what about the guys in private boats they are taking just as much as charetrs and party boats

[reason162]

I honestly don't think the fleet will suffer if they go to catch/release for the Spring run. Release mortality is acceptable in 50ish degree water as well.