2015 Bass regulations: GET ON THE PHONE/WRITE AN EMAIL!

[hammer4reel]

go back and read the new rules.
your bonus fish is one size now, then in the fall the size lowers so you can keep a smaller fish then which is perfect for the fall fishery

The 43" limit was so that for the most part because of the waves of fish you will be able to keep 1 fish , as it will be tough to keep 1 from each slot on a given day.
It makes it that you cant kill 2 twenty pound fish , as well as not killing 2 cows as it now is.

wish they would eliminate the bonus tags , as to me the fish are worth more than the measely 2 bucks.

whats going to happen now is NJ is going to overfish and really get a change next year , since we are the only State locally that didnt go to a 1 fish limit.

[JBird]

I'm just relating, word for word, what the lady at the Nacote Creek office told me. I would hope she knew what she was talking about.
Where are you reading the new rules?

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

go back and read the new rules.
your bonus fish is one size now, then in the fall the size lowers so you can keep a smaller fish then which is perfect for the fall fishery

The 43" limit was so that for the most part because of the waves of fish you will be able to keep 1 fish , as it will be tough to keep 1 from each slot on a given day.
It makes it that you cant kill 2 twenty pound fish , as well as not killing 2 cows as it now is.

wish they would eliminate the bonus tags , as to me the fish are worth more than the measely 2 bucks.

whats going to happen now is NJ is going to overfish and really get a change next year , since we are the only State locally that didnt go to a 1 fish limit.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by JBird

I'm just relating, word for word, what the lady at the Nacote Creek office told me. I would hope she knew what she was talking about.
Where are you reading the new rules?

actually have read 2 different scenarios in the last hour, both having NJ fish and Game logo on them.

1 was as posted by down deep that , the current bonus tag would remain as 1 fish over 28" until september 1 when it would go to a slot fish of 24-28"

The other email says that after this is signed into law the bonus tag would be eliminated until Sept 1 and then go to the 24-28"

seems there are two totally different readings that have come out of the meeting. so as usual until its written in stone who knows the real scenario

[JBird]

That is why I called fish and game directly to clarify.

I wanted to hear it directly from them and what they told me is what I posted.

The number to the Nacote Creek office is 609-748-2020. I encourage everyone who has questions to call.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by JBird

That is why I called fish and game directly to clarify.

I wanted to hear it directly from them and what they told me is what I posted.

The number to the Nacote Creek office is 609-748-2020. I encourage everyone who has questions to call.

should be on the division site in a few days.
loking forward to seeing it in writing there,as many times the workers at F/G give their interpertation of the rule that sometimes is incorrect

[RBC67]

Originally Posted by JBird

Well, I just got off the horn with the NJ Fish and Wildlife so this is straight from the horse's mouth.
We are under 2014 rules UNTIL THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THE NEW REGS INTO LAW. There may be a time limit where it's enacted automatically but they were unsure of this.
The changes are, as many already know, 1 @ 28"-43" and 1 43" or bigger.
THE BONUS PROGRAM WILL BE DEAD IN THE WATER UNTIL SEPT. 1ST 2015 after which we will allowed a bonus tag slot fish 24"-under 28".

So I called the governors office, spoke to an aid and requested that Mr. Christie DELAY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE THE SIGNING OF THIS LAW because it will be terrible for our business.
If we can collectively make enough noise perhaps we can delay the rule changes long enough to get most of the Spring season under our belt before we are forced into what basically amounts to a 1 fish limit.
Am I pissing up a rope? Perhaps, but in the immortal words of R.P. MacMurphy, "I tried, though. Goddammit, I sure as hell did that much, now, didn't I?"

Governor Christie's office 609-292-6000

It goes into law if the governor signs it or not under the new rules. I believe he has 10days left and then its in effect so phone calls will do nothing. Thanks Tom Fote for this mess he's the advisor who wanted the 2 fish.

[joerosa1]

Originally Posted by RBC67

I believe he has 10days left and then its in effect so phone calls will do nothing. Thanks Tom Fote for this mess he's the advisor who wanted the 2 fish.

When a political office receives a volume of calls in a short period of time for or against a specific legislation it brings the matter to the attention of an elected officials for review as a "hot topic" for review. The office staff notes the call and the opinion of the person making the call. I have relatives who work in non-profits for various causes and they speak to senate and legisltative staff and this a real way to influence policy. So if you are for or against this legislation your call can make a difference.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by Invisible Ralph

Unfortunately a one fish limit will hurt the party boat business

Why?

[Dave A]

I attended the meeting this past Thurs along with RBC 67. #1...the Gov has 13 or 14 days left to sign off on the legislation. If he chooses not to, it becomes law anyway. As for the bonus tag; the current reg stays in place UNTIL the Commissioner signs off on the new striper regs. At that point, the old regs including the 28" and over bonus fish become history. After that the bonus program closes and then reopens on Sept 1 and runs thru Dec 31. This process normally takes about 3 - 4 weeks.

[MattRedShirt]

JBird -

Thanks for letting us know that we still have a chance to react to these new regs - I have just voiced my displeasure at the new rules.

Its very easy to do via the email option shown above. I encourage everyone to take 2 minutes to send their own email or call the office.

Matt