NJ Striped Bass Regs.

[Lil' Tunny]

In case anyone wasn't sure of the change, like me!
Here are the NJ Rec. Striped Bass Regulations effective 9/27.
1 fish between 24" and 28" AND 1 fish over 34" per day.
With a Bonus Tag, you're allowed a 3rd fish over 28"

[Admin]

thanks much man ill pin this thread up top so every one can see it !

[thetackletrap]

You guys think this is a good move! I heard that this was the best year for striper reproduction in numbers since the 1970"s!!

[Lil' Tunny]

You guys think this is a good move! I heard that this was the best year for striper reproduction in numbers since the 1970"s!!

I don't know whether it's a good move or not. It still allows you to take 2 big females per day. I make my own regulation! I keep one, when I feel like having it for dinner that night. Out of hundreds of bass caught each year I kill about 5 of them!

[Fish Tale Charters]

In the Asbury Park Press on 1/28/05 there was an article saying that Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R) was going to present a new bill on striped bass. The bill would change the regs from what they are now to 2 stripers @28" or greater. Aparently RFA and NJ ANGLERS etc.are pushing hard for this change for next season. The bill is to be proposed Feb. 7th 2005. If the bill were to be accepted for 2 BASS @ 28" or greater they are saying that the Bonus Tag program may not be lost. I like the idea of 2@28" or greater. Last year that was a pain with that dead zone between 28 and 34. When you fish the rips off Cape May as much as I do, a lot of the bass we catch are in that zone. I don't get that many slot's, some not a lot. As far as bonus tags, beeing a charter boat I have been able to get cards each year. Prior to last year I would use the tags selectivly. If a guy got a nice 3rd fish say around 40" I'd use a tag. So out of my alotment I'd use maybe 4 or 5 for the season. But I did keep the records of all my Bass catches. This is good info for the FISH and GAME COMMISSION. Last year I uased all of my tags because of the way the law was. That dead zone sucked! Keep your eyes and ears open for more.

Capt Craig
www.fishtalechartersoc.com
fishtalecharters@comcast.net

[Fish Tale Charters]

The latest info that I've heard on Striped Bass is that the NJ state Government does not want to consider changing the current Bass regs because the feds will be putting out the new status report in August 2005. Depending on what that report shows, there may be the need to make changes again. The gov. wants to wait and see what the report says. The sources I spoke to, said this report may be an eye opener. The indication I heard is that the report may show that Stripers are being over fished??? Haven't heard any more on the bonus tag program other than we are to have it. They still don't know how they're going to administer the program.

Capt Craig
FISH TALE CHARTERS
www.fishtalechartersoc.com
fishtalecharters@comcast.net
phone 609-391-8230
boat 609-425-6548

[MakoMike]

At the last meeting of the striped bass technical committee of the ASMFC there was some indications in the VPA that the stripers may be being overfished. But the statistics were inconclusive and were contradicted by other statistics. The committee is to mee again sometime this summer to review new data and make a determination. You can get the full story at Http://www.asmfc.org

[sashamy]

Think about it, they also say that there is not enough female dogfish to allow a susutainable fishery...you know what i think, I think it will good when there is a manageable number of dogs and not an ocean over-run with them...by the way they did the striper assessment in a different manner than they ever have before...so don't get too upset, they have no data like it to compare it too! But I do agree one striper is enough, we in Mass are two a day over 28"....one is pplenty, i don't even eat one a year, but for some reason the charters think they are gold!

[Lil' Tunny]

My thoughts exactly, Who in the hell needs 3 bass per day? I can see it being good for charters, and for people that only get out fishing a couple times a year. But I see guys that go out almost everyday, keeping their limit everyday. I don't know..seems like a waste to me. I don't go fishing to supply fish to all the neighbors and co-workers. Wish they could just make it one slot and one over 28, and do away with the bonus tag crap.

[Fish Tale Charters]

Lil' Tunny, I agree with you that 3 fish is too much. Thanks for the pitch for the charter business. Charter fishing is different than rec. fishing. Most anglers that pay for a charter don't get out as often as some fishermen do. I am hired to find them fish, help them catch fish and put fish in the box to take home. With regs as is, the bonus program helps me put fish in the box. This is not necessarily a 3rd fish just "A" fish in the box. All my Striper fishing is done on the Cape May Rips NJ. The majority of the fish caught are between 28" and 34". With out that tag we may catch a lot of fish but have a very clean cooler. How would you like to be the guys that finally talked their wives into taking and paying for the fishing trip, getting the day off from work, promising a fish dinner and arriving home stinky and empty handed. Do you think he is coming out fishing again?? NOT!! Myself it would be best for regs to be 2 @ 28" +. This gives my customer a good chance to take 2 fish home, no tags involved. My thought on the bonus tag is that all the info that is gathered is important. The party/ charter boats that participate, document all fish caught, not just fish in the box. I would like to see the tag be for a true trophy caliber fish. For the guy that luck's into a bigon. Not just one more in the box.

Capt Craig
www.fishtalechartersoc.com
fishtalecharters@comcast.net
phone 609-391-8230
boat 609-425-6548