Striped Bass Size Limits

[Gumada]

When we had the slot, it was deemed “too confusing”.

[june181901]

By releasing any redfish over 28 inches I believe that is what saved that fishery down in the Gulf of Mexico. Perhaps it could help save the striper. Just have to determine what the cutoff size would be.

[Rubberhead]

Hard to revive a fish with a 12/0 treble hook in its gullet. That is all.

[AndyS]

I saw striper photos from down there and the people were holding what looked like 18" striped bass for the cooler.

[Finprof]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I saw striper photos from down there and the people were holding what looked like 18" striped bass for the cooler.

In Chesapeake Bay the minimum size is 19 inches and the limit is 2 fish per day with only one over 28 inches. Chesapeake Bay is a striped bass nursery. The small fish grow there until they are large enough to swim up to Cape Cod for the summer.

[tjd24]

Originally Posted by AndyS

I saw striper photos from down there and the people were holding what looked like 18" striped bass for the cooler.

Last March I made 2 trips on the Roanoke River in NC for stripers. Regs allowed 2 bass per day @ 18" with 1 of those over 27". Two of us caught 60+ and 40+ respectively each day. Released all.

[Billfish715]

Social Media got ahead of this one. Here's an article which explains it further.
There is an affirmation of the decline in the striped bass stocks and that the decline is a coastal concern and not localized to Virginia.



Home Sports Outdoors

Outdoors
Where are the rockfish? Virginia looks to enact tighter striped bass regulations

By Lee Tolliver
Staff writer
Jan 11, 2019 Updated 1 hr ago


After years of chatter about the declining population of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, the state is looking at tightening its regulations for upcoming seasons.

At Wednesday's Finfish Management Advisory Committee, it was announced that the Secretary of Natural Resources has suggested looking at alternatives to current length and bag limits for one of the state's most popular gamefish.

During the recent Chesapeake Bay fall season, anglers could keep two fish a day between 20 and 28 inches, although one fish could be longer than 28. Dozens of fish longer than 40 inches, considered prime breeding stock by biologists, were harvested last fall — far fewer than previous seasons.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission "striped bass committee will look at the stock assessment and consider any changes to regulation when it meets in February, but those changes wouldn't come into play until 2020," said Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler, a recreation angler with a master's degree in marine science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

"We think we should be more proactive and get something in place that will help this tremendous fishery recover."

The commission's preliminary stock assessment for a fishery that extends well up the northeastern coast isn't good. It appears the species is being overfished by commercial and recreational fishermen. So the agency likely would implement tighter restrictions. A couple decades ago, the fishery had been depleted to the point where the agency issued a moratorium on fishing for striped bass.

At Wednesday's advisory meeting, there appeared to be some misunderstanding as to what the secretary was asking for, and social media blew up with talk that he had ordered the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to make changes.

"That is totally incorrect," said Steve Bowman, commissioner of the VMRC. "The secretary and I have talked about striped bass because, obviously from what we're seeing and hearing, the population isn't what it should be.

"Has he ordered a directive? Absolutely not."

A major point of concern for Virginia's anglers would be to have the state work with Maryland fisheries managers so that regulations are equal between the states that share the bay's rockfish population. Bowman gave assurances that the conversation would begin soon. In the meantime, the advisory committee was tasked with coming up with the best possible solution pleasing the most anglers while still meeting the call for changes.

One idea being supported by anglers on Facebook is to adopt size and bag limits similar to those that prevent the taking of big red drum. Since new rules were enacted a couple decades ago, the species has made a remarkable comeback and the population of big trophy fish easily could serve as a benchmark for regulatory success.

Anglers in Virginia can keep three drum a day between 18 and 26 inches. All others must be released. Anglers can earn an award in Virginia for released fish measuring longer than 46 inches. Last year, Virginia waters produced 864 reds that met that standard. In contrast, state waters produced only 192 striped bass that met a 40-pound keeper minimum last year.

The last really good striper season was in 2012, when 906 fish of 40 pounds or more were caught, and 425 measuring at least 44 inches were released.

"We want our pros and the advisory committee to give us some ideas so that we can present them to the angling public to help this fishery," Bowman said. "We want to be proactive and protect this very important fish."

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by tjd24

Last March I made 2 trips on the Roanoke River in NC for stripers. Regs allowed 2 bass per day @ 18" with 1 of those over 27". Two of us caught 60+ and 40+ respectively each day. Released all.

That fishery is the only show in town in Roanoke Rapids. The stripers certainly do spawn there and the confines of the upper river hold lots of small 12-18 inch bass that eventually drop out and into the estuaries. You'll see all kinds of fishing techniques used there, including and often preferred, live bait rigs.

[pectoralfin]

I agree that a slot fishery would be good for the fish and us. But only if the commercials are held to the same size limits as we are. It just annoys the crap out of me that we have to release a fish that someone else can kill.

[bunkatabunka]

Absolutely would be all for this. Sick and tired of the hero shots at the dock with multiple 40 pound dead stripers laid out, that we all know taste like crap and are big breeders. Enough's enough. Take care of the fishery or one day there won't be one.