winter and spring codfishing on big mac!

[BIGMACCHARTERS]

getting ready for winter and spring cod!

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IN mass. our cod fishery is closed till april 16. we are winding down our giant bluefin tuna run, will be putting in a brand new 3208 cat 375 hp. diesel and back ready to go for our jan. 2 winter codfishing out of snug hbr., ri. back home to green harbor, ma. to start late march for our great haddock run and then april 16 our annual spring stellwagen bank cod, haddock and pollock fishery. we will offer both private charters and open boat trips out of snug hbr. our spring stellwagen groundfishery is more private charters with some open boat trips. spring stellwagen trips (late march thru end of june) are 40 % full now. call early or email soon. block island interest does not really peak till mr. whiskers starts flying over the rail. call capt. jim 781 837 0308, e/mail jim@bigmacsportfishing.com or the web at bigmacsportfishing.com, ck. out our daily blog on block island cod starting the first of the year. a few pics of stellwagen groundfish in 2011!. best, capt. jim

[overmodulated]

Would love to try you guys out sometime and will try to schedule it.

Without knowing the specifics of winter cod closure areas, please tell me how it is that a couple of boats manage to continue taking cod through the winter: do they have to travel south of MA, or are they going out really far (georges bank) to get around the closure?

This will be my first winter for NE cod fishing (hopefully on open boats) which is why I ask. Thanks!

[BIGMACCHARTERS]

Would love to try you guys out sometime and will try to schedule it.

Without knowing the specifics of winter cod closure areas, please tell me how it is that a couple of boats manage to continue taking cod through the winter: do they have to travel south of MA, or are they going out really far (georges bank) to get around the closure?

This will be my first winter for NE cod fishing (hopefully on open boats) which is why I ask. Thanks!

backlash king, gulf of maine, mass thru maine closed for cod nov. 1 thru april 16. we move our operation south to snug hbr. ri. fishing the great bottom off of block island from jan. till mid march. the area is open, fish bag limit. send me your address and i will forward all the info. best, capt. jim bag limit is 10 per man.

[On The Edge]

Would love to try you guys out sometime and will try to schedule it.

Without knowing the specifics of winter cod closure areas, please tell me how it is that a couple of boats manage to continue taking cod through the winter: do they have to travel south of MA, or are they going out really far (georges bank) to get around the closure?

This will be my first winter for NE cod fishing (hopefully on open boats) which is why I ask. Thanks!

The GOM closure is the area above the 42 lat Line. Below the 42 line (The back side of the cape East of Chatham area) remains open all season.

Also state water inside 3 miles is also open.

[overmodulated]

Thanks for simplifying it for me. It was not so clear reading all the online regulations.

Capt. Jim - sent you my address for more info. Hope to catch up with you folks.

[Captain Greg Sears]

The GOM closure is the area above the 42 lat Line. Below the 42 line (The back side of the cape East of Chatham area) remains open all season.

Also state water inside 3 miles is also open.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think if we hold federal permits we do not fall under the state rules..?

[Captain Greg Sears]

The GOM closure is the area above the 42 lat Line. Below the 42 line (The back side of the cape East of Chatham area) remains open all season. <br>
<br>
Also state water inside 3 miles is also open.

<br><br>Correct me if I am wrong but I think if we hold federal permits we do not fall under the state rules..?

[On The Edge]

<br><br>Correct me if I am wrong but I think if we hold federal permits we do not fall under the state rules..?

Not sure what you mean Greg.

Are you saying if you hold a fed permit the state regulations do not apply to you?

[Captain Greg Sears]

Not sure what you mean Greg.

Are you saying if you hold a fed permit the state regulations do not apply to you?

no i was saying that "I Think" and have been told the most strict of the rules apply when you hold a federal ground fish permit. for instance if you hold a federal permit.. federal ground fish rules apply. But some States have stricter rules like closed areas and so forth. So in those cases state rules would apply. A guy with a federal permit can not go into state waters where there is no fishing or gear restrictions set forth by the state.. on the other hand for states who have no rules you must follow federal regulations. A recreational angler must follow the rules for what ever waters they are in and can not sell any fish. but any Charter boats who fish further than three miles from shore are required to have federal ground fish permits. And then we must sign a waiver saying we can not sell ground fish if we fish in certain areas like Stellwagen. This means we must follow federal rules even though we are recreational... I know someone will mention federally protected species like striped bass but no one can posses these fish in federal waters even if you are just crossing to go home..