Is it legal??

[a/c steve]

cant you just fillet and release

[a/c steve]

cant you just fillet and release????

[lunkertaker]

in this state, if it is not expressly stated as legal, I would consider it illegal to error on the side of caution, just saying, that if not clearly stated then you run the risk of interpretation by you know who!

[RussA]

I know I will be crucified for this but, fish for them. This closed season is bullhockey.

These morons had a 10 year target back in 2001 and literally keep this madness going after it has been proven the stock was rebuilt back in 2007.

I know people will tout it's the law and you need to follow it, well that too is bullhockey.

Look at the striper law, you can have only 2 fish in your possession, but for only $2 more you can have 3, and you keep on buying the extra tag and you keep getting extra fish.

Still think it's about saving fish? Yeah... NO!

Sea Bass are not over fished and reproduce like roaches but they kill you guys with regulation, and you bend over and take it.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one."
-- Thomas Paine

[Angler Paul]

Stevelikes2fish is correct. Striped bass are regulated differently and you cannot target them during a closed season. It is fine to c&r most other species during a closed season.

While I agree that some of our regualtions are not fair, I always abide by them. Get invloved and try to get the regulations changed but don't poach. Poachers are nothing more than thieves who are stealing from a public resource. Who is to say that the short or out of season fish that was kept might not have some day grown into a trophy that one of the many honest fishermen might have caught?

[aruvio]

I have to disagree with you all. Targeting striped bass with gulp on the bottom and bycatching fluke is totally legal. Just dont bring the squid and spearing but even than you can get away with it.

Your target is St. Bass and its open. Period ended

[Arbutis]

When is sea robin and skate season? Can't wait! All year round? Great! I hate when I catch those annoying doormats when I'm focusing on the elusive sea robin and skate.

Bluefish closed season? No??? Hmmm. . . Other than chumming bushels of clams, how many methods are there to catch bass without catching bluefish? And who the heck is going to police the ocean during bluefish season?

Bottom line - if it ain't in season, don't keep it. Stupid laws. They should put more pressure on the commercial fishermen that are depleting the stocks of foodfish by the THOUSANDS OF POUNDS every day and leave the recreational weekend warriors to keep whatever the hell they want to keep. All recreational fishermen combined don't even hold a candle to the amount of fish these draggers and netters and commercial fishermen bring in. Someone else already said it but unfortunately it all comes down to MONEY and big business wins every time over the little guy. Bunch of horsecrap if you ask me. IMHO.

[Angler Paul]

You may not target striped bass during a closed season. You may target, catch and release most other species during their closed seasons. This is the law, I am not making it up or just giving my opinion. Anyone who doubts this should ask a conservation officer or research how the laws are written in title 23.

[DirtyChimneyMan]

I apparently stirred up a lil debate...