SHBA Fishing Club...Looking for feedback

[wyldbillnj]

On July 17th, we concluded our 2022/40th annual fluke tournament. As it goes every year there are challenges and this year was no different. We see a disturbing trend in our sport – decreased participation. Our numbers this year did not meet expectations. While we can attribute some of this to fuel costs, that doesn’t help explain prior years’ trends. This looks to be the case in all fluke tournaments, not just ours.


Why is interest on the decline?

If you participated in any fluke tournaments in years past, but choose not to do so anymore why?


Your Honest opinion is appreciated. Post here, PM me or email at sandyhookbayanglersfc@gmail.com.

Thank you.
Bill

[FishingSinceIWasThree]

Reduced participation because it is too expensive to fish and you can't keep anything without the fish Nazis Gestapo all over you. Fishermen treated like criminals and criminals are treated like some kind of perverted super heroes.

Too aggravating to fish....which is exactly what they want. I used to take the kids snapper fishing each Fall but can only keep 3 so it is too aggravating and expensive to go.

This is all part of Joe Biden/Phil Murphy/China movement to starve Americans while taking away their rights, recreation and ability to feed themselves.

[Skolmann]

I think (at least for this year) you had two factors working against you;

1-The fact that you are only allowed to keep one fluke over 18”s per person. In years past it was the combined weight of your best 3 (and maybe 5 years back). I don’t think many people feel comfortable/confident in finding/catching that 1 big fish.

2-The price of fuel. With the bay fishery not producing the big fluke it did 10, 15, 20 years ago it’s hard for people to justify making the long run to deep water ocean spots to find that 1 fish.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Skolmann

I think (at least for this year) you had two factors working against you;

1-The fact that you are only allowed to keep one fluke over 18”s per person. In years past it was the combined weight of your best 3 (and maybe 5 years back). I don’t think many people feel comfortable/confident in finding/catching that 1 big fish.

2-The price of fuel. With the bay fishery not producing the big fluke it did 10, 15, 20 years ago it’s hard for people to justify making the long run to deep water ocean spots to find that 1 fish.

Ditto

[jigmup]

No fish left to catch

[wyldbillnj]

Just a quick clarification....in the 40 years of running this event, the SHBA Club has always had a single winning fish. We never deviated from that officially. Unofficially, I think there was something with 2 fish...but can't confirm that.

[dales529]

Personally my opinion and NOT attached to any affiliation.
I believe there has become an unfounded bias towards many fishing groups by the masses that somehow think that these groups have something to do with the regulations.
How mostly volunteer recreational alliances get punished lately with a track record of only helping the sport is astonishing let alone disappointing but it is what it is and when we all disappear due to lack of support I guess the fishing community will band together and come up with a better plan?

Facebook to the rescue LOL.

Tournaments have been run for years with the goal of supporting recreational fishermen, charities, kids to be introduced to the sport, beach access etc , etc and now its pulling teeth due to lack of information and politics by the general public.

We have had Democrat, Republican Presidents, Governors and state officials of both parties forever. Tell me one that made a difference over another? None and we all tried to work with both

Fishing groups with volunteers like RFA NJ , JCAA , SHBA Heroes on the water, Wounded Warriors etc have all tried and now support dwindles to almost extinction with harsh sentiment.

Just my .02 which is going to .0 soon.

I get Gas prices and fishing spots / effort are an issue but an issue we have had before and will have again

Go Fishing if you can for the love of the sport, your friends and just enjoy that time as life is short.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by dales529

.
I believe there has become an unfounded bias towards many fishing groups by the masses that somehow think that these groups have something to do with the regulations.
How mostly volunteer recreational alliances get punished lately with a track record of only helping the sport is astonishing let alone disappointing but it is what it is and when we all disappear due to lack of support I guess the fishing community will band together and come up with a better plan?
.

Dave I get where your coming from. Believe me. But I guarantee the consensus out there is “why donate, why try, why fight against the regs if a ****ing thing hasn’t changed”. For the everyday guy it gets frustrating as hell. I’m sure guys like yourself and Dakota who fight the fight it’s even more so.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Unfortunately I've noticed a few subtle and sobering things change over the years that influence these tournaments and fishing in general besides regulations, weather and money or lack thereof.

A the top of the list is the aging generation of boomers like me that have the time and the money but simply don't have the energy they used to.

Next is a generation behind us, many who have the money but feel like keeping fish for the table or a tournament is practically a crime.

Lastly is a generation of up and coming younger people who have no money like we did when we were young and or have no interest in fishing and God forbid if they have to compete for something.

Take a look around at the traditional clubs, Knights, Moose, etc.. They're starving for members and people to get involved... Memberships dwindle and there is no one behind them to take their place...

Next time you go out on a charter or party boat, look around and what do you see?? Grey haired people like me with no younger people to back fill us unless the grey hairs take them.

Take a kid fishing, get them involved, it's our only chance to leave this legacy we've enjoyed and pass it along to future generations.

[AndyS]

Very few fish to fish for, what's a big fluke these days, maybe 4 or 5 pounds.