Why was today the last day of the rockfish season?

[B-Faithful]

It is based on targets for the recreational harvest.. based on our season length, creel, and size limits we should be about the target harvest in lbs under the ASMFC based on previous years and the levels of effort and participation.

[5th Tuition]

Originally Posted by B-Faithful

It is based on targets for the recreational harvest.. based on our season length, creel, and size limits we should be about the target harvest in lbs under the ASMFC based on previous years and the levels of effort and participation.

Greg; I'm a bit confused. The past year is what we should expect to catch in a NORMAL year? We (rec.'s) hit our target number of fish this year?

This is the worst year I can remember for not only myself, but for most of the guys I fish with.

Based on the "cost" it took to try to put a limit on the boat, I wouldn't think about buying a new boat. I won't be buying much additional tackle over the winter (I"ll make do with what I have), and if gas prices either continue to rise, or remain at $3/gallon, the number of trips will be decreasing.

If this year is the new "normal", you will find many anglers who feel the cost/return factor is not enough to stay in the game.

To be perfectly honest, I could care less about eating/harvesting them. I enjoy catching them. Catching was slow this year (on our boats). If the population doesn't rebound soon, less and less rec. fishermen will be on the water. This doesn't bode well for tackle shops or boat builders.

If my livelyhood was based on fishing/boating, I would be screaming for something to be done to improve the stock.

I was looking for validation that "this is the new normal". That's sad.

5th (Marty)

[Skip]

Marty - it's sad but more and more - people are just not going outside.
Kids come home from school and play video games rather then enjoy the outdoors. Parents get home after 8 hours of work and hour each way commute - they plop down on the couch. Some of it is lack of access but most times there is a creek or pond nearby. I can remember riding a bike four miles to get to the upper Severn River - as did most of the kids in my neighborhood.

Guess we are both showing our age. Let's hope 2011 season is better.

[drichitt]

With the MSSA proposal on the table and being seriously considered, I don't think DNR was willing to extend the rec C&K season this year.

[JigStix]

Marty, this is not targeted at you, more for people like, well Skip and his lemmings.

I love you guys that preach conservation while practicing kill all you can within your limit, and then ponder why noone takes you seriously. You hope and wish for a longer season to kill Rockfish, but throw out "put back all fish over 40". Conservation when it's convienient to you, like when they limit Catch and Release. You stand there at meetings and defend actions like trolling through a gannet storm, state that you are for saving the future of the rockfish population, and then in the same breath post on a public message board that you wish you could catch and kill later into the year. If you truly just love fishing, go catch and release and stop hoping for a longer kill season. You want to eat it, go buy it or eat one of the hundreds of fish you kill all year long that have to be overflowing your freezer.

[Hockleyneck]

Originally Posted by JigStix

Marty, this is not targeted at you, more for people like, well Skip and his lemmings.

I love you guys that preach conservation while practicing kill all you can within your limit, and then ponder why noone takes you seriously. You hope and wish for a longer season to kill Rockfish, but throw out "put back all fish over 40". Conservation when it's convienient to you, like when they limit Catch and Release. You stand there at meetings and defend actions like trolling through a gannet storm, state that you are for saving the future of the rockfish population, and then in the same breath post on a public message board that you wish you could catch and kill later into the year. If you truly just love fishing, go catch and release and stop hoping for a longer kill season. You want to eat it, go buy it or eat one of the hundreds of fish you kill all year long that have to be overflowing your freezer.

Where's the icon for the guy eating popcorn?

[Hockleyneck]

Originally Posted by JigStix

Marty, this is not targeted at you, more for people like, well Skip and his lemmings.

I love you guys that preach conservation while practicing kill all you can within your limit, and then ponder why noone takes you seriously. You hope and wish for a longer season to kill Rockfish, but throw out "put back all fish over 40". Conservation when it's convienient to you, like when they limit Catch and Release. You stand there at meetings and defend actions like trolling through a gannet storm, state that you are for saving the future of the rockfish population, and then in the same breath post on a public message board that you wish you could catch and kill later into the year. If you truly just love fishing, go catch and release and stop hoping for a longer kill season. You want to eat it, go buy it or eat one of the hundreds of fish you kill all year long that have to be overflowing your freezer.

Since we are just giving opinions and Marty asked us to be respectful, here is my assessment. The larger fish are targeted and harassed from New England to NC. They are targeted in and on their breeding grounds here in Maryland. How can this be good? I am guilty of targeting the larger fish as well, who in this group is not guilty? I personally would support a longer C&R period in the spring and extend the winter season for the smaller fish. Once the larger fish are gone due to low water temps, who cares if you keep a 20 inch local fish? Those in charge also need to do something about the commercial guys whether netters or hook and liners. While we are at it, it would be nice to limit Omega. It would seem the striped bass is in trouble, let's hope something is done before another moratorium is necessary.

[Mikie]

The season was scheduled to close on Dec 15th - it did. The anomaly was LAST year when it was extended.

[Skip]

JigStix - I've done my best to ignore your constant jabs at me but since you called me out by name this time - I'll reply.

That multiple hook up under the Gannets was a once in a lifetime event - figured someone with your expertise would understand that. So many factors came together and I happened to be right there when it did.

Letting the bigger fish go is my way of conserving fish for the future.

Me taking a legal limit when I fish is not the trouble. You really need to direct your anger at the poachers.

[Breakaway]

Originally Posted by 5th Tuition

Greg; I'm a bit confused. The past year is what we should expect to catch in a NORMAL year? We (rec.'s) hit our target number of fish this year?

This is the worst year I can remember for not only myself, but for most of the guys I fish with.

Based on the "cost" it took to try to put a limit on the boat, I wouldn't think about buying a new boat. I won't be buying much additional tackle over the winter (I"ll make do with what I have), and if gas prices either continue to rise, or remain at $3/gallon, the number of trips will be decreasing.

If this year is the new "normal", you will find many anglers who feel the cost/return factor is not enough to stay in the game.

To be perfectly honest, I could care less about eating/harvesting them. I enjoy catching them. Catching was slow this year (on our boats). If the population doesn't rebound soon, less and less rec. fishermen will be on the water. This doesn't bode well for tackle shops or boat builders.

If my livelyhood was based on fishing/boating, I would be screaming for something to be done to improve the stock.

I was looking for validation that "this is the new normal". That's sad.

5th (Marty)

Marty, so which is it? Are you concerned with how much it cost to put a limit on the boat or are you happy just catching fish? If you truly could care less about "eating/harvesting them" then why start this thread? If you just enjoy fishing, then go fishing.....no one is stopping you.