Holy Crap!!

[Shore Thing]

Agreed. My original point was if they are going to make changes to rec. regs then do something worthwhile that really helps the fishery and dont appease someone's agenda. Which I feel has happened with the slot limit and over 40. Whether it be MSSA or the charter industry. But I guess that's how politics work.

[B-Faithful]

I actually think this slot limit is going to be more effective than what people think. My bet is that it results is far greater than a 25% reduction. Vast majority of fish over the last couple of years will be in that no-take slot this year. Look at the numbers in the link i posted above to see how effective they were the last time too. (There was ~45% reduction over the previous year and participation went up -http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/showthread.php/345081-2013-SB-Stock-Assessment-Summary?p=2039561&viewfull=1#post2039561 )

I dont know about you but the fish over 40" make up a small percentage of what is caught. I think it is great that people will be able to weigh and check in a state citation. The popularity of the trophy season is due to people being able to keep a fish of lifetime.

Where I think the no-take slot will hurt is in recreation violations. DNR is going to have to be real-clear on how fish are measured. For me I have always flat tailed measure just to make sure we are over a mark. What happens if an officer can squeeze a tail a tad more than the boat did. A 35.5" fish can go over 36" with a tail squeeze. A flat ruler vs a tape that curves on the fish can add a 1/4" or more too. DNR noted that there was a significant increase in violations with the last time we had a no-take slot. Hopefully they will do a good job at notifying and education to help reduce that. Also if they are in place multiple years, participants will have a better understanding.

[Shore Thing]

Agree again. Only thing I disagree with is people can still go home with the fish of a lifetime with a picture and a tape measure. The majority of the fish I caught last year were 38-39 inches. I wonder if that is the class of fish they are trying to protect but will be 40 inches this year and kept. Will be interesting to see to say the least.

[B-Faithful]

While I am a big catch and release guy myself, I will argue to look at participation levels of when people can keep big fish from when they cannot. The trophy season has very high levels of participation over the short period of time because people can catch and keep big fish. I see this with my charters too. People are asking when the season opens to keep fish. When I offer earlier season catch and release trips 9/10 say they want to wait until they can keep the fish even if I offer the C&R only trips at a discount. Sportsmen have a long tradition of celebrating the biggest fish. There are a lot of charters who charge more during the trophy season because of the demand to catch and keep big fish.

[B-Faithful]

Originally Posted by B-Faithful

Where I think the no-take slot will hurt is in recreation violations. DNR is going to have to be real-clear on how fish are measured. For me I have always flat tailed measure just to make sure we are over a mark. What happens if an officer can squeeze a tail a tad more than the boat did. A 35.5" fish can go over 36" with a tail squeeze. A flat ruler vs a tape that curves on the fish can add a 1/4" or more too. DNR noted that there was a significant increase in violations with the last time we had a no-take slot. Hopefully they will do a good job at notifying and education to help reduce that. Also if they are in place multiple years, participants will have a better understanding.

I should note that I also fear people screaming about release mortality too. Though I believe the release mortality to be very low (especially in the colder water) and the slot will reduce overall mortality, it is only going to take a few photos of floating big fish to tug at some's heart strings. The battle over C&R will heat up again too.

[reds]

Originally Posted by B-Faithful

I should note that I also fear people screaming about release mortality too. Though I believe the release mortality to be very low (especially in the colder water) and the slot will reduce overall mortality, it is only going to take a few photos of floating big fish to tug at some's heart strings. The battle over C&R will heat up again too.

You may want to call DNR and ask, but I believe a tail squeeze is the correct way to keep yourself out of trouble.

[Skip]

Reds / others - When we had the slot limit before , a good friend of mine was checked at Sandy Point by two DNR officers.

The fish was just a kiss under 36 when on measuring stick but over a kiss when officer pinched the tail.

The two officers were not sure which was correct way to measure. One wanted to give him a citation - other thought fish was legal.

My friend argued the point - sounded like it got ugly real quick , knowing him.

End result - DNR let him keep the fish but told him next time to pinch the tail.

Now it gets better - same guy , week later at Solomons with a pinched tail Rock at 40 1/4. Officer checks and flat tail it is just under 40 inches.

He explained what officers at Sandy Point had told him - this officer said that was wrong.

I agree - the slot makes for honest mistakes. IMHO - 36 flat tail is simple / easy.

With this new slot - I'll likely C/R any just over 35 inches to avoid confusion. Over 40's I usually C/R anyway.

[B-Faithful]

Reds I believe you are correct that it is the pinched tail.

However this all goes to my point that there will be confusion, especially with the occasional weekend warriors, and this will cause more problems than the simplified 36" and up regulations (to which the ASMFC Technical committee and Law Enforcement Committee both recommended)

Either way, I don't care but see where the no take slot may cause more PR problems.

[reds]

Originally Posted by B-Faithful

Reds I believe you are correct that it is the pinched tail.

However this all goes to my point that there will be confusion, especially with the occasional weekend warriors, and this will cause more problems than the simplified 36" and up regulations (to which the ASMFC Technical committee and Law Enforcement Committee both recommended)

Either way, I don't care but see where the no take slot may cause more PR problems.

IIRC< I was at a TFAC meeting when the subject was brought up. The DNR high ranking officer said the tail had to be pinched to measure.

28 to 36" saves the cows and stops the crying from the people who can not catch, but think it's the lack of fish.