WINTER FLOUNDER MORE LOST$$$$$please read

[sea nymph]

Right on Doug!
Even know the limit is 2, it's still a time to get out, wet the line and enjoy the camaraderie. I probably won't take my boat out, but if my favorite charter captain sails, I'll be on board!
I may only catch 2, but I'll be supporting "my" Captain because I know they work hard everytime and go the extra mile! Plus, I'll just need to get out of the house and you can't put a price on a good time!

[TurboDan]

I would think this will likely affect the charter captains most, as few people will pay the premium to have their pick of two fish. Also, these things are not overly difficult to catch (with potent chum and the correct bait) and keepers are not hard to find, meaning the full-day trip you paid for could be over in an hour or less since limiting out will be relatively easy.

The party boats may be able to do alright still, since they're a cheaper option and 1/2 day.

[TurboDan]

FWIW, the netters' limits were also cut this year. I believe they're down to 38 fish landed per day. In the past, it also didn't help that the fyke netters would take winter flounder from Nov. 1 to Feb. 20, reducing the local population before recs even got a shot at it.

[MartyS]

In the early spring, I'd rather go after ling and blackfish; definitely the case this year.

Last season, even with a reasonable bag limit, I didn't go out for flounder because the reports were so poor. There isn't much doubt that this fishery needs to rebuild.

I really don't mind leaving the flounder alone for a while, as long as the commercials have been constrained as well.

[Topeka Boy]

I agree with Martys I also rather fish for ling and blackfish. Maybe some of the captains could throw in a couple of hours of winter flounder before ling and blackfish. All of our recreational fisherman are going to find different ways to catch fish WE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP!!!

[Life's A Beach]

I'll still fish for them. Cost is ridiculous when you could keep 10; now it's gonna be crazy. But it's fun and tradition. And you rarely gut hook them so the ones you throw back will live.

[Capt. Jerry P]

Good posts by everyone!!!

But even though Blackfish Doug, Brian Sea nymph, and others feel this way(which i am happy to hear) there is still a majority of other anglers who dont...

Its not all about what the angler take home, but most atleast want a chance to put a catch together to eat under reasonable limits... Flounder is a table fish.

I can tell just from our bookings (and other charter boats i talk to from here to ny) which now is mostly Bottomfishing (Blackfish ling cod) for april last year mostly flounder. A Bunch of Groups that fished for flounder last year opted for a bottom fish trip latter in the year. I cant fault them.

We love floundering and we will still sail a few flounder trips... some of our regular still wanna go and if the wind blows its better than sitting home... but with that said it will still only be prob be about 1/4 the amount of trip normal.

Again I agree flounder fishing is not what it once was... But we dont fish at all in the fall... lost 23 days on the spring end... then a bag limit (which i though was good) and now 2 fish...5 fish would have atleast gave us a shot a season

Anyone who knows us knows we give a long day and fish hard... We love to mix it up... never mind trying for another specie even if we already had a great day on another... Its tough times i want our customers $ to go a long way for them.

With that said it wont be easy trying to mix bag Blackfish out in the ocean and still have enough time in the day to flounder fish in the bay at least in our area. Time tides worms chum etc... Not saying it wont or cant be done but for boats in our area it prob wont be an easy task.

i think the point the other capts or atleast my point is it will another regulation that will cut right into the pockets of the partyboats, charterboats, and tackle shops.

Add that to Losing a couple days of fluking, seabass cloure, no weakfish....less porgies etc.
Less days to fish, Less to fish for etc

Stripers and Blackfish will be next because it will all we will be able to target putting alot of added pressure on them.

Washington....Washington!!!

[jmurr711]

one thing i worry about is how much added pressure will this put on the spawning tog in the spring

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by MartyS

In the early spring, I'd rather go after ling and blackfish; definitely the case this year.

Last season, even with a reasonable bag limit, I didn't go out for flounder because the reports were so poor. There isn't much doubt that this fishery needs to rebuild.

I really don't mind leaving the flounder alone for a while, as long as the commercials have been constrained as well.

i do!!it cost me money and raritan still has a run.a few of you guys say would go on a charter even with a 2 fish limit.i believe you.now try to convince 5 of your friends to come and fill the charter.it ain't going to happen.the bait and chum for flounder is expensive,i don't think you will see to many private boats flounder fishing either.going to hurt everyone including tackle shops.i wonder how many tackle shops are not going to be involved feb.24 march on washington.i made some calls and it made me puke.if they don't show don't buy any bait from them all year.i know for a fact they are not working on that day!!!!!! not many worms will be sold this spring.or for weakfish !!!

[Bucktail]

[QUOTE=jmurr711]one thing i worry about is how much added pressure will this put on the spawning tog in the spring
Forget about the blackfish, the bass dont have a chance. We have bin destroying those stocks before all of this BS Regulations an now they are done. 1 bass per person entire coast an F the bonus tag would be nice.