Targeting Striped Bass During Closes Season

[Harpoon]

A thread was posted the other day about a bass that was recently caught and released in closed waters. During the thread there was some question as to the legality of this practice. So I reached out via the official NJ website (not to some friend that I may or may not know) and received this official response. Looks like they interpret the word 'Take' as something different then keeping.

** MESSAGE **
SUBJECT: Catch/Release Striped Bass Closed Season

Good day. A bit of debate going on with some fishing buddies to determine if the following is LEGAL:

Are NJ anglers with proper licenses allowed to fish in the back waters of NJ and purposely target striped bass with the intention of releasing after the catch?

Thank you
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You cannot target the fish if there is a closed season. As found on page 13 of the Marine Digest ( http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/digmar.htm ) you cannot "attempt to take" striped bass during the closed season. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

[SaltLife1980]

Answers that question..

How do you like dem apples nancy corigan? Turns out I did not misinterpret the law but rather YOU DID. You can post your "I'm sorry you were correct" post at any time. As I said in the other thread, proving attempted catch and release is too vague and therefore in the eyes of the law attempting to take includes targeting in any way regardless of intention with the catch

[Harpoon]

Just to add some additional clarification.......
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Take means having one on your hook I believe.

Whenever you have a question you can always contact our law office. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

[aduma1107]

Originally Posted by AustinS

You can post your "I'm sorry you were correct" post at any time.

Don't hold your breath, just expect another aimless response

[RBC67]

Illegal

[007Hookem]

Welp....Looks like that's a closed case. Thanks for clarification harpoon.

[BK_Broiler]

Why can't I target "Bluefish"????? Whose to say that an angler was targeting Bass...

[Harpoon]

Originally Posted by BK_Broiler

Why can't I target "Bluefish"????? Whose to say that an angler was targeting Bass...

Go target bluefish then. The question from the prior thread was in regards to the legality of targeting bass during a closed season.

Originally Posted by BK_Broiler

Why can't I target "Bluefish"????? Whose to say that an angler was targeting Bass...

Go for it. But I would bet you'd still get a ticket if the officer really wanted to write you one. F&G isn't as ignorant as many believe them to be (well maybe nancy corigan's "friends" are).