So many complainers. Here are the answers.
Everyone stop harvesting. Catch and release everything. Only throw sick or injured fish in the cooler. Eat more bluefish. Extend spring season catch and release to May 16th. Problems solved.:eek: |
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Maybe the CCA met with the Governor to propose that rec fishing be reserved for an elite few. Are they still advocating that? I wouldn't think their greed would show again and be asking to cut out a user group. |
That's why it's called "FISHING" and not "CATCHING". You pays yo' money and takes yo' chances!
The facts are; fishing is cyclical, we have just gone through several of the best years of fishing in the mid bay area that I've ever seen (I've been fishing on the bay since the early 60's, BEFORE fish finders, side scan and the internet). I remember catching fish, bottom bouncing, on Dolly's Lump before it was marked, lining up pilings on the bridge and shore for references (oh, that was the OLD bridge, the new one wasn't there yet).I remember when catching a trophy (over 36") was a big deal and maybe 50 or so total, would be caught in the spring season (there wasn't any fall season). Immediately prior to the moratorium the limit was 5 - 15" fish/person. You had to be VERY good to catch any, let alone 5. Remember the first years after the moratorium? All of the mid 20" to low 30" fish you could catch, and EVERYBODY loaded their boats. Then we had several unbelievable years of fishing where chumming was the "in" thing - The Hill looked like a boat parking lot, and EVERYBODY loaded their boats. The last few years the larger fish were here in huge numbers in the Spring, countless new people got into the fishery spurred by the adundance of big fish and internet reports, and EVERYBODY loaded their boats. The big fish started making brief runs into the bay in the Fall, guess what, it was posted and EVERYBODY loaded their boats. We could be entering into a "dip" in the cycle, it certainly happens based on adundant year classes and fishing pressure. To answer one of your points - yes, there are a lot of crappy fishermen who have been catching because of the huge numbers of fish. When things get a little tougher those people won't be catching as many, or possibly any. A lot of them will complain and drop out of the fishery, some will try to increase their learning curve and become good fishermen. Some will realize when they're in the middle of the "good times" and be thankful they were there. Another of your points - the commercial gill net season was closed for the rest of the year (on 12/9 I believe). It was closed because the remaining quota had been caught. Evidently there is a healthy population of fish available, or the quota wouldn't have been reached. The gill net season is Jan, Feb and Dec of the calendar year. If the quota is caught at any time - the season is over for the year. The other commercial gear types operate under the same rules and each have a separate quota. If the quota is reached early, the season is shut down. It would be in the best interests of everyone involved if there was a valid system in place to keep track of the total recreational catch. Then, if their "target" wasn't reached there may be a justifiable reason to extend the season. |
Reds and Mikie; thanks for your perspective. I'm one of the guys that came into the fishery when times were good. Bought a new boat in 2001 and have been on a learning curve ever since. Like most newcomers, every year was built on the season before. I started with maybe 4 trolling rods. Because fishing was so good, I kept buying more rods and tackle. Soon I was running planer boards and 15 rods. A great day for us was 12-15 fish (mostly C/R). An average day would be 8-10.
My tackle, my technique, and my electronics have been upgraded over the years to the point that they are way more than adequate. Last fall, we were catching plenty of large fish right out of Sandy Point. After Dec. 1st, we had to move south to Chesapeake Beach; not to catch fish, but to avoid the gill nets strung across the bay near Thomas Point:eek:. Over the winter, the new PSCR restrictions were put in place; and fishing stunk. The spring C/K season was no better. Everyone couldn't wait for the return of the big fish this fall. What happend to them? It's puzzleing how in just a couple months (from Dec. 2009 to April 2010) the bottom could have dropped out. I hope it is due to a fish cycle. I hope enough escape the Vir. Beach winter season to give us a good Spring in 2011. 5th (Marty) |
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It must not be in the best interest of the rec fishing clubs to want a precise number to their catch of Striped Bass. If a precise number was in their best interest, they would have been screaming for an accounting years ago. It makes better sense to refute ASMFC numbers as being to high and then, behind the scenes, try to softly stick the knife in to other user groups and attempt to take their quotas. Maryland fishing clubs are attempting to try and take away mine, as well as others living with their back door maneuvers. I hope they are not too surprised when a few things come back to bit them in the a$$. |
nevermind.....
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I'm OK with DNR not extending the season, I think they screwed up 2 years ago when they did extend it. Set the season and leave it alone. Hell as far as I'm concerned they could shorten it. I'd fish the same amount whether it's C&K or C&R. Before I started fishing the bay I fished the upper Potomac and the Susquehanna for smallmouth bass for years and NEVER kept a fish (does anyone even eat smallmouth?). I do enjoy eating rockfish and keep a fair share of the fish I catch, but you know as well as I that's not the reason we fish. I'll agree with Reds that this wasn't a banner year, but I sure won't say it was a bad year either. Sometimes I stayed on the water a little longer to catch fish, but is that really a problem? Well to my wife it was!:D I can deal with the restrictions they put on the PSCR (6 rods,barbless hooks,blah,blah,blah). Kind of brings back memories of when I first started fishing the bay with 6 rods. Still caught fish this spring and didn't have to deal with all the boat traffic. Now if there's talk about taking away C&R......let me know, I'll round up as many as I can to help fight. Good luck in 2011 Jeff |
Thanks Jeff.
5th (Marty) |
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Chesapeake Rock; 1st post?? Welcome to the board:D
5th (Marty) |
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