Are we going to have a BFT season this winter?

[captnemo]

With the current regulation for the remainder of 2010 at 1 fish under 59" for Recreational angling; that pretty much closes the winter/early spring season for us. I didn't see much caught last winter or spring under 59" off the outer banks.

Our last fish caught under 59" was Dec 5th; from then on it was the 65-75" class fish that hung around from HI to OI from Jan -mid may.

Did anybody else have any luck with sub 59" fish last year?

[Split Bill]

I think it will be highly problematic finding fish under 59", but I'll probably go a few times and try to C&R a few unless the Rockfish are thick.

Ed

[TSM]

Looking forward to getting the jiggs out..No matter what size.

[gmoney]

so you're saying that if you cant find a fish in the size slot to keep you're not gonna go.....?????



so much for SPORTfishing

[Capt. Jon Tennant]

so you're saying that if you cant find a fish in the size slot to keep you're not gonna go.....?????



so much for SPORTfishing

maybe he just wanted one to eat..... not every deer hunter is after a trophy rack for the wall either.... some just want meat in the freezer.

Do you really have a problem with that?


as far as a winter season... the 2011 season starts jan 1st- new season=new quota

[Innovator]

as far as a winter season... the 2011 season starts jan 1st- new season=new quota

I was talking to someone the other day about the NC season and was told the quota runs June 1 to June 1 year to year, can anyone confirm this?

[Parapapam]

Guys,

I have never fished in NC. So I do not know your fishery (other than the video's of the outrageous commercial bite you have over the winter). So take this for what it is worth...

But up here on Ole Cape Cod, we didn't see many sub-59 inch fish last year. We all moaned and cried that the rec guys would not have any fish to eat. But as this year turned out, it was a different story. There were a lot of fish ranging from 50 inches all the way up... We thought it would be a shushi-less summer. But it wasn't.

So take heart. Assuming our fish decided to spend the winter off the Tar Heel State, the rec guys will get the sub-59's and the comm guys will have their share as well.

Mike

[captnemo]

so you're saying that if you cant find a fish in the size slot to keep you're not gonna go.....?????



so much for SPORTfishing

You love putting words in people mouths huh? or keyboards however you want to say it. I never said a word about not going, I will go c&r fish until the cows come home. I just dont think its real good to C&r these fish and assume they are going to survive. We caught a 69" fish last year on light tackle and he was dead as a door nail by the time we got him to the gaff after 2+ hour fight. He was a kill fish anyways, but if the sub 59" rule is in place that fish would have died and floated away as shark food.

I'd like to see them go back to 1 under 73" I think it would be better overall for everyone, even make the season shorter to control total cuaght, but with all the rec and jiggers out there, I think there will be a lot of floaters after the release.

[Sushi50]

Recall the BFT season is now Jan 1 to Dec 31, so the Angling Category quota for BFT will renew on Jan 1 and as always, should allow us to resume recreational catch of BFT 1 per day up to 73" and 1 per year over 73".

The General Category quota for fish over 73" and those holding General or Charter/Headboat Permits, is still open and should remain open through Jan 31 to accomodate the remaining 2010 quota and any quota transfers, as well as the 2011 quotas.

[captnemo]

Recall the BFT season is now Jan 1 to Dec 31, so the Angling Category quota for BFT will renew on Jan 1 and as always, should allow us to resume recreational catch of BFT 1 per day up to 73" and 1 per year over 73".

The General Category quota for fish over 73" and those holding General or Charter/Headboat Permits, is still open and should remain open through Jan 31 to accomodate the remaining 2010 quota and any quota transfers, as well as the 2011 quotas.

Thanks; thats good news, I didn't know it resets on Jan 1st, I'll see you down there in the spring I'm sure.