Bunker boats

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Have wiped out huge schools of Bunker overnight and during the day today along with many Bass

We rebuild and for what, for the circle nets to surround and destroy.

This is a Modern Fishing Act of criminal proportion, keep up the good work. :mad:

[BigRock44]

what a damn shame. unbelievable how many fish these operations take. :mad::mad::mad:

[FISHGERE]

this state really sucks party and charter boats will suffer big time for this bullshit. the fish police hide in trucks to catch the little guy keeping a short fish. then at night they allow commercial scum to vacuum the bay. sick

[jbigtime]

It’s always about the $....

[Nancy's Boys]

I agree we were catching bass saw the bunker flipping and watched the bunker boats take and shut it all down in 30 min. Unreal!!!

[JeffZ]

Have wiped out huge schools of Bunker overnight and during the day today along with many Bass

We rebuild and for what, for the circle nets to surround and destroy.

This is a Modern Fishing Act of criminal proportion, keep up the good work. :mad:


I hope this opens up a discussion and this thread doesn't get deleted. It should be stickier to the top.
Lots of questions could be answered here and could be a start of a solution to this insanity.
What happens to all the pregnant bass full of eggs that get caught up in the nets? They aren't released dead because there would be floaters. I've heard they are pitch forked to pop the air bladder so they sink.
Seems there are no ethics when making money is the driving force.

[dakota560]

Same story different day. Politics, money, power and greed........transcends every business. Netting bunkers at the expense of the resource and other fisheries dependent on them in the food chain has been happening for years. Whether it's Omega 3 fish oil or lobster bait, the pillaging of the ocean happens every year. I've always said, the resources of the ocean should be available to recreational and commercial interests alike but not one at the expense of the other and no one individually at the expense of the resource. Commercial netting has no conscience and exploits every fishery they target in addition to the incidental by catch they consume. 5 - 10 years ago reduction boats wiped the ocean clean of bunker for the lobster guys up north because they wiped the ocean clean of herring before that and needed bait so they targeted bunker. Remember seeing boat after boat off loading at the co-op in Pt. Pleasant, massive amounts of bunker. Within days acre after acre of bunker schools you could walk across were literally annihilated. It's amazing how efficient these boats are. As soon as you see the spotter planes, it game over. It's a wonder we have as many stripers around as we do with what's happening with the food chain but it's just a matter of time before that fishery collapses again as well. History says so. This is all driven by politics. Deals are made at a level where recreational interests don't have enough presence. People are working hard to develop that presence but we're not there yet. I remember years ago fishing at the tip of the hook one night and helicopters buzzing around for hours with flood lights on. Thought it was a search and rescue mission. Find out a few days later they had a sting operation for illicit night time dragging. Two boats were caught. Continued to follow the story and both operators were given what amounted to a slap on the wrist in fines. Boats should have been seized, auctioned off and licenses revoked. Until the laws change, enforcement efforts are increased and the risk out weighs the upside benefits of illegal netting, nothing will change. Again history says so. It's a sad state of affairs we end up accepting crumbs every year while Washington and local governments horse trade our public resource at their own discretion which truthfully we have as much if not more rights to than anyone else. Those decisions are not made with our interests in mind, they're made with the politicians interests in mind and under the protection of Magnuson Stevens and Modern Fishing Acts, legislation they enacted to give themselves the protection they need to preempt changes needed to protect and better manage our fisheries. Classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Happens every year unfortunately....

A least it's not not the big reduction boats that used to rape the resource. They got banned from our state waters several years ago.

Not that it makes it right, but these guys are bait boats and from what I understand a lot of what they catch gets used in Lobster traps and the like. With bunker all over the place and practically all year long, perhaps it makes sense to restrict the locations where the bass come in each spring or have their season start after the bass usually leave the area.

Everyone has to make a living but as mentioned above, it shouldn't be at someone else's expense.

[Capt. Debbie]

On this site don't you think it'll be a one sided argument?



Same story different day. Politics, money, power and greed........transcends every business. Netting bunkers at the expense of the resource and other fisheries dependent on them in the food chain has been happening for years. Whether it's Omega 3 fish oil or lobster bait, the pillaging of the ocean happens every year. I've always said, the resources of the ocean should be available to recreational and commercial interests alike but not one at the expense of the other and no one individually at the expense of the resource. Commercial netting has no conscience and exploits every fishery they target in addition to the incidental by catch they consume. 5 - 10 years ago reduction boats wiped the ocean clean of bunker for the lobster guys up north because they wiped the ocean clean of herring before that and needed bait so they targeted bunker. Remember seeing boat after boat off loading at the co-op in Pt. Pleasant, massive amounts of bunker. Within days acre after acre of bunker schools you could walk across were literally annihilated. It's amazing how efficient these boats are. As soon as you see the spotter planes, it game over. It's a wonder we have as many stripers around as we do with what's happening with the food chain but it's just a matter of time before that fishery collapses again as well. History says so. This is all driven by politics. Deals are made at a level where recreational interests don't have enough presence. People are working hard to develop that presence but we're not there yet. I remember years ago fishing at the tip of the hook one night and helicopters buzzing around for hours with flood lights on. Thought it was a search and rescue mission. Find out a few days later they had a sting operation for illicit night time dragging. Two boats were caught. Continued to follow the story and both operators were given what amounted to a slap on the wrist in fines. Boats should have been seized, auctioned off and licenses revoked. Until the laws change, enforcement efforts are increased and the risk out weighs the upside benefits of illegal netting, nothing will change. Again history says so. It's a sad state of affairs we end up accepting crumbs every year while Washington and local governments horse trade our public resource at their own discretion which truthfully we have as much if not more rights to than anyone else. Those decisions are not made with our interests in mind, they're made with the politicians interests in mind and under the protection of Magnuson Stevens and Modern Fishing Acts, legislation they enacted to give themselves the protection they need to preempt changes needed to protect and better manage our fisheries. Classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.

[dakota560]

And your point is?

[a-baum]

I'm so sick of the "gotta make a livin'" argument from their side. I'm sorry but you aren't entitled to a paycheck just because there are resources in the ocean that you are capable of exploiting. Fur trapping used to be a viable profession, and those guys were just "makin' a living" too....until they decimated most species they were trapping. The resource dried up and those folks had to adapt to find a new way of making a living. Why can't some of these commercial fisherman adapt and find something else? They are going to have to soon enough once they have wiped out the resources anyway.

[bbfisherman]

I can't think of an argument for the netting and killing of spawning bass as incidental catch this time of the year in the bay.

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

I can't think of an argument for the netting and killing of spawning bass as incidental catch this time of the year in the bay.

and not to mention the spawning Bunker this time of year. Makes sense don’t it ?

[bigfish1011]

I'm so sick of the "gotta make a livin'" argument from their side. I'm sorry but you aren't entitled to a paycheck just because there are resources in the ocean that you are capable of exploiting. Fur trapping used to be a viable profession, and those guys were just "makin' a living" too....until they decimated most species they were trapping. The resource dried up and those folks had to adapt to find a new way of making a living. Why can't some of these commercial fisherman adapt and find something else? They are going to have to soon enough once they have wiped out the resources anyway.


Perhaps some openings in the COAL business?

[Detour66]

Commercial netting of any fish in the bay should be completely outlawed!

[june181901]

Do not know how many salt water anglers there are in NJ or how many come in from other states.
I do know however that we salt water anglers are very disorganized. A few commercial fishermen have successfully stopped any proposals by the 'sports' to restrict not eliminate these bunker boats. They make the contributions to the powerful members of the state General Assembly and thwart us perennially.
Salt water anglers should become one issue voters in state elections until the anglers of NJ are recognized as a voting bloc. If we don't get organized and make our feelings known these posts will continue to no avail annually.

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Right On June.... the out of state operations bought who they needed and in turn we watch as they rape our bay and ocean. Spotter planes put an X right on the spot. Cash is king and recreational sector are just pawns that have to accept this BS. Rod and reel will never do the damage with nets/netters that have no conscience.

[JeffZ]

Im well aware this happens every year like most everyone else that reads the posts on this site.
Arent people tired of "oh well it happens every year crap".
Can anyone share what happens to all the dead bass caught up in the nets? We arent talking a few fish here.
Do these bass get sold?
Have a heard time believing money gets tossed back into the water.

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Im well aware this happens every year like most everyone else that reads the posts on this site.
Arent people tired of "oh well it happens every year crap".
Can anyone share what happens to all the dead bass caught up in the nets? We arent talking a few fish here.
Do these bass get sold?
Have a heard time believing money gets tossed back into the water.

I’m sure we’re not the only ones who have seen a trial of floating fish over the years that run for miles from the hook out to east weather it be Bunker or something else that had to be dumped perhaps due to a tip off before they could off load enormous hauls.

[Capt John]

Do not know how many salt water anglers there are in NJ or how many come in from other states.
I do know however that we salt water anglers are very disorganized. A few commercial fishermen have successfully stopped any proposals by the 'sports' to restrict not eliminate these bunker boats. They make the contributions to the powerful members of the state General Assembly and thwart us perennially.
Salt water anglers should become one issue voters in state elections until the anglers of NJ are recognized as a voting bloc. If we don't get organized and make our feelings known these posts will continue to no avail annually.

Right on...something I've been saying for a long time. There is "NO" organized effort on the behalf of recreational anglers (party and charters included) in this state NONE.... Wednesday am, Raritan Bay chock full of bunker.....this morning empty. And they're going to check me for short Fluke?....yea right. Recreational fishing community is fractured and they know it. What a shame...only in NJ

[hammer4reel]

Happens every year unfortunately....

A least it's not not the big reduction boats that used to rape the resource. They got banned from our state waters several years ago.

Not that it makes it right, but these guys are bait boats and from what I understand a lot of what they catch gets used in Lobster traps and the like. With bunker all over the place and practically all year long, perhaps it makes sense to restrict the locations where the bass come in each spring or have their season start after the bass usually leave the area.

Everyone has to make a living but as mentioned above, it shouldn't be at someone else's expense.

THAT used to be true, but last year Omega protein was given a permit to come into NJ waters.
and their presence totally shut down the Ocean bite.
wouldn't be surprised if this year it was done again

[acabtp]

:confused: this will probably be unpopular, but as a hunter, i don't understand why commercial fishing still even exists. people realized over a century ago that market hunting with punt guns and the like was destroying our wild stocks of waterfowl and land animals. why does anyone imagine it's different with fish? just like always, recreational (private / charter / PB) harvest isn't the problem... we all want to catch some fish this year, and next year, and the year after that, and so on and so on.
commercial operators sucking the oceans dry trying to maximize their profits each season are the issue. they extract as much as they can from an area and then move on to the next one. they don't care about the fishery collapsing as long as it happens after their holds are filled.

you want a deer or a canvasback? you have to go out and shoot it

you want some fluke, cod or a striper for the table? then go out and catch it

you want to go to the supermarket instead of harvesting it yourself? then you can have chicken, beef, tilapia, salmon, oysters or whatever else they've figured out how to farm

[rwp2101]

:confused: this will probably be unpopular, but as a hunter, i don't understand why commercial fishing still even exists. people realized over a century ago that market hunting with punt guns and the like was destroying our wild stocks of waterfowl and land animals. why does anyone imagine it's different with fish? just like always, recreational (private / charter / PB) harvest isn't the problem... we all want to catch some fish this year, and next year, and the year after that, and so on and so on.
commercial operators sucking the oceans dry trying to maximize their profits each season are the issue. they extract as much as they can from an area and then move on to the next one. they don't care about the fishery collapsing as long as it happens after their holds are filled.

you want a deer or a canvasback? you have to go out and shoot it

you want some fluke, cod or a striper for the table? then go out and catch it

you want to go to the supermarket instead of harvesting it yourself? then you can have chicken, beef, tilapia, salmon, oysters or whatever else they've figured out how to farm

That makes way too much sense. For that to happen though I think you’d need to see boat and tackle manufacturers experience the pain of people giving up on fishing.

[captmark]

Guys I know we have heard it time and time again, but its sad when you call the so-called people that we have in office who is suppose to be helping the little guy that generates more of a cash flow that helps the cycle of fisherman. I have called Menendez, Booker and Pallone's office to hear the same crickets.
We all know that the commercial industry have lobbiest that have very deep pockets and the rec fisherman try's time and time again to get its act together but very few listen. That's my 2 cents god bless the angler who catches a bass in late June with a live Bunker

[Togfather2530]

What I want to know is did anyone actually see ylthe bunker boats in the bay Wednesday night or is everyone assuming since fishing and bait was not good on Thursday. I was actually fishing Thursday and it was terrible. I did not see any bunker boats. Just asking bc I think a lot of people like to jump to conclusions and complain and make excuses on here. I would like to here from someone who actually witnessed bunker boats on Wednesday night or Thursday in the Raritan Bay. Thanks.

[BigRock44]

THAT used to be true, but last year Omega protein was given a permit to come into NJ waters.
and their presence totally shut down the Ocean bite.
wouldn't be surprised if this year it was done again

omega coming back AGAIN to operate in NJ waters? how the hell did that happen??? that would be VERY detrimental to our fishery here.

florida successfully banned large netting operations from state waters back in the 1990's. the sportfishing community came together and put pressure on legislators to act, and they did. i believe there were various programs and incentives to help out the commercial fishermen. mullet was one of the most harvested species and apparently redfish was often a fatal bycatch. from what i understand, after the ban redfish rebounded so well they actually eliminated the closed season for them so they could be caught all year long. i don't know what the answers are here for our area, but i know that when bunker are plentiful the fishing is great. in recent years, with this critically vital forage fish coming back in decent numbers, the fishing has really improved. i've read some of the recent years captains' reports sometimes stating "it's like the good old days again". maybe we could all take some lessons from florida...

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

What I want to know is did anyone actually see ylthe bunker boats in the bay Wednesday night or is everyone assuming since fishing and bait was not good on Thursday. I was actually fishing Thursday and it was terrible. I did not see any bunker boats. Just asking bc I think a lot of people like to jump to conclusions and complain and make excuses on here. I would like to here from someone who actually witnessed bunker boats on Wednesday night or Thursday in the Raritan Bay. Thanks.

Not sure where you’re out of, we and others have seen them in Sandy Hook Bay, around the Ammo Pier as well as on the move when the call comes from the spotter plane for almost a week now.

PS - Good luck captmark

[Skolmann]

What I want to know is did anyone actually see ylthe bunker boats in the bay Wednesday night or is everyone assuming since fishing and bait was not good on Thursday.

I was on the Sea Hunter Wednesday and there was a bunker boat and processor working off the ammo pier that morning.

Coincidentally that area was void of both bass and bunker later that afternoon.

[Togfather2530]

Thanks for the info guys. I just didn’t see any of them when I was out

[Bluefish]

was on the Fishermen Wednesday and saw the bunker boat in the middle off the pier and the net was full of moving silver when it was hauled up, further, just prior to the net being pulled we saw bass on top feeding on the bunker between us and the net boat, the net was hauled in and bass were all gone, gee i wonder where the bass wound up,

[rwp2101]

What I want to know is did anyone actually see ylthe bunker boats in the bay Wednesday night or is everyone assuming since fishing and bait was not good on Thursday. I was actually fishing Thursday and it was terrible. I did not see any bunker boats. Just asking bc I think a lot of people like to jump to conclusions and complain and make excuses on here. I would like to here from someone who actually witnessed bunker boats on Wednesday night or Thursday in the Raritan Bay. Thanks.

Saw them out there behind the hook. Friday late morning as well.

[paulyfish]

THAT used to be true, but last year Omega protein was given a permit to come into NJ waters.
and their presence totally shut down the Ocean bite.
wouldn't be surprised if this year it was done again

This was brought to my attention and needs to be addressed-
Sorry but this permit statement is NOT TRUE.
Yes, they are allowed to fish the EEZ (Beyond the 3 mile line) off of NJ, but they are NOT permitted to REDUCTION fish in STATE waters of NJ.
The ONLY state that REDUCTION fishing is still permitted within state waters is, yes, you guessed it... VIRGINIA, where Omega Protein/Cooke Seafood is located.
Have to say that the trap bait sector, as bad as it looks, especially during prespawn, is NOT the bad actor here. Yes, there are times that localized depletion can shut down our fishery, but for the most part it is sustainable when the smaller vessels are used just like the old days. The vessel in the picture The Kingfisher, photo taken by me, this past Thursday morning, off of the Ammo pier in Sandy Hook Bay, is what is called a carry boat and is supported by a regular catch boat and filled multiple times until full. This is one of the few vessels of its kind in NJ and it is at the max allowed size, 90ft for the state.These fish are shipped via trucks to Maine for lobster bait and the guys that run it are from Mass. The boat is docked on Channel drive in Point until the season limit is met. Note that the incidence in bycatch of striped bass and other game fish during purse seining operations is quite low and they are not allowed to retain any fish other than bunkers on board.When the school is encircled by the net, bass tend to swim downward and the bunker swim upward. This system works best in deeper water. If they do a set in shallower water the bycatch would certainly increase.

Please support www.menhadendefenders.org
we have to sell T shirts and stickers to keep us going. It's not enough.
Our saying is NO BUNKER=NO BASS for a reason! and we have been screaming for angler unification and increased engagement on this topic since 1990. Bitching about this online does nothing, you have to show up and speak and be a part of the system whether you like it or not.
Thanks,
Capt. Paul Eidman
Charter Boat Reel Therapy
Raritan Bay NJ
email me at paulyfish@reeltherapy.com

[Capt Sal]

Here are the facts! Not one politician from New Jersey will back you on banning Bunker from from netting in Raritan Bay.I have been to meetings in NJ and NY.One time i went with Percy the net builder to NY to meet with a state biologist to discuss the bunker problem being on the decline.He blamed it on guys throwing cast nets! Now that is a guy with a Masters degree ? Imagine the idiots that work for Noaa?Corey Booker or Menendez could give two shits about the bunker.Same body of water no netting on the North side but devastate the south side.GO FIGURE????

[paulyfish]

Here are the facts! Not one politician from New Jersey will back you on banning Bunker from from netting in Raritan Bay.I have been to meetings in NJ and NY.One time i went with Percy the net builder to NY to meet with a state biologist to discuss the bunker problem being on the decline.He blamed it on guys throwing cast nets! Now that is a guy with a Masters degree ? Imagine the idiots that work for Noaa?Corey Booker or Menendez could give two shits about the bunker.Same body of water no netting on the North side but devastate the south side.GO FIGURE????


FYI- This species is regulated by the ASMFC which falls under NOAA/NMFS
and ultimately the Department of Commerce.
Yes, the governor of the state can have a say through its commissioner on the ASMFC. Important to note that fisheries management is a non partisan issue.

[Capt John]

This was brought to my attention and needs to be addressed-
Sorry but this permit statement is NOT TRUE.
Yes, they are allowed to fish the EEZ (Beyond the 3 mile line) off of NJ, but they are NOT permitted to REDUCTION fish in STATE waters of NJ.
The ONLY state that REDUCTION fishing is still permitted within state waters is, yes, you guessed it... VIRGINIA, where Omega Protein/Cooke Seafood is located.
Have to say that the trap bait sector, as bad as it looks, especially during prespawn, is NOT the bad actor here. Yes, there are times that localized depletion can shut down our fishery, but for the most part it is sustainable when the smaller vessels are used just like the old days. The vessel in the picture The Kingfisher, photo taken by me, this past Thursday morning, off of the Ammo pier in Sandy Hook Bay, is what is called a carry boat and is supported by a regular catch boat and filled multiple times until full. This is one of the few vessels of its kind in NJ and it is at the max allowed size, 90ft for the state.These fish are shipped via trucks to Maine for lobster bait and the guys that run it are from Mass. The boat is docked on Channel drive in Point until the season limit is met. Note that the incidence in bycatch of striped bass and other game fish during purse seining operations is quite low and they are not allowed to retain any fish other than bunkers on board.When the school is encircled by the net, bass tend to swim downward and the bunker swim upward. This system works best in deeper water. If they do a set in shallower water the bycatch would certainly increase.

Please support www.menhadendefenders.org
we have to sell T shirts and stickers to keep us going. It's not enough.
Our saying is NO BUNKER=NO BASS for a reason! and we have been screaming for angler unification and increased engagement on this topic since 1990. Bitching about this online does nothing, you have to show up and speak and be a part of the system whether you like it or not.
Thanks,
Capt. Paul Eidman
Charter Boat Reel Therapy
Raritan Bay NJ
email me at paulyfish@reeltherapy.com

Paul... a few questions.

You say this boat (picture) is being used to net bait for lobster fishermen in Maine? Then who the hell gave this out of state (Mass) guy permission to do that here in NJ?

Ironic.....there are none of these boats in NY waters of Raritan Bay...I wonder why?

There should be NO commercial netting of bunker within our NJ bays with the exception of NJ commercial netters getting bait for OUR NJ bait and tackle shops and recreational anglers cast netting bunker for a day of fishing....just my 2 cents.

Many "Thanks" for your input. NO BUNKER=NO BASS=NO RECREATIONAL FISHING=NO INCOME FOR NJ...it's that simple.

[paulyfish]

Paul... a few questions.

You say this boat (picture) is being used to net bait for lobster fishermen in Maine? Then who the hell gave this out of state (Mass) guy permission to do that here in NJ?

Ironic.....there are none of these boats in NY waters of Raritan Bay...I wonder why?

There should be NO commercial netting of bunker within our NJ bays with the exception of NJ commercial netters getting bait for OUR NJ bait and tackle shops and recreational anglers cast netting bunker for a day of fishing....just my 2 cents.

Many "Thanks" for your input. NO BUNKER=NO BASS=NO RECREATIONAL FISHING=NO INCOME FOR NJ...it's that simple.

Hi John-
A couple of years ago they grandfathered the NJ registered boats that have been registered and could produce catch records. There are no new entries into this fishery anymore.
Can't purse seine fish for bunker on NY side of the bay.

It's all about moderation, consideration and conservation. There is no reason why we ALL can't use the resource.
We need to leave enough in the water for the ecosystem to maintain sustainability. Unfortunately, the ASMFC voted to maintain the ARCHAIC current single species management system back in Nov 2017. Our next shot at a new, progressive ECOSYSTEM based management system will be in 2019.

[Capt Sal]

FYI- This species is regulated by the ASMFC which falls under NOAA/NMFS
and ultimately the Department of Commerce.
Yes, the governor of the state can have a say through its commissioner on the ASMFC. Important to note that fisheries management is a non partisan issue.

The only thing i care about is having a politiian with enough balls to stop ALL BUNKER NETTING IN ALL THE BAYS IN NJ FYI All the other BS i knew already not my first rodeo been involved in the bunker thing for decades

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Paulyfish, thank you for clarifying, to an extent on what is happening here. We will be making a contribution to your organization. It was our pleasure to have Mr. H Bruce Franklin aboard our boats as he shared his knowledge on the importance of menhaden.

Capt. John, I’m with ya all the way. But as Sal said, they could give two shyts about wiping out the resources in our bay. In the past we have seen these boats on the east side of the base of Old Orchard light. Haven’t seen them on that side yet this year.

[Capt Sal]

The reason the bunker boats are killing massive amounts of bunker and shipping them to Maine is they depleted the herring population up there.So the solution is to come rape NJ, stuff their pockets with cash and the hell with the Stripers and Blues that live on that species.But they have to make a living?At what cost ?As far as very few Stripers getting caught in the net along with giant weakfish Pauly you are wrong. I have watched it many times in Raritan Bay.We are not trying to ban"Bait" bunker boats we just don't want them in Raritan Bay.The Governor could stop this as they did in NY.

[paulyfish]

The reason the bunker boats are killing massive amounts of bunker and shipping them to Maine is they depleted the herring population up there.So the solution is to come rape NJ, stuff their pockets with cash and the hell with the Stripers and Blues that live on that species.But they have to make a living?At what cost ?As far as very few Stripers getting caught in the net along with giant weakfish Pauly you are wrong. I have watched it many times in Raritan Bay.We are not trying to ban"Bait" bunker boats we just don't want them in Raritan Bay.The Governor could stop this as they did in NY.


Glad to see you have the same fire as I do Sal. I have tried like hell to get a picture of a bass or a weakie but havent been as lucky. Please take pictures or video Sal!! Everybody out there should be documenting the crap out of this ...we all have cameras...
P

[hammer4reel]

Paulie fish, it was documented last spring that Omega was working inside the 3 mile line.
Was on many different sites, showing pictures of the boats , not being bait boats or even ear marked as being bait boats.

It was questioned and the answer floating around was they were granted a Federal permit to net here .
When it was questioned how a federal permit out weighed the NJ State rules seemed no one could get a straight answer.

The reason the reason there are no boats working the NY side of the bay is their distance off the Beach is larger than ours,
IF NJ increased the distance from the HT line from 6/10 of a mile to a distance of 1.5 miles there wouldn't be bunker boats inside the bay

a Bait boat is also not allowed to use a fish pump and must be handled by hand, yet it takes just a ride to PP to watch the boats fill totes on the tractor trailers using a fish pump to expedite their loading.
when that was questioned we were told it ws being allowed so FG personal didn't have to spend as much time there watching the loading .

what sense is there to have a law, and it not be enforced due to personel restraints

[1captainron]

Paulie fish, it was documented last spring that Omega was working inside the 3 mile line.
Was on many different sites, showing pictures of the boats , not being bait boats or even ear marked as being bait boats.

It was questioned and the answer floating around was they were granted a Federal permit to net here .
When it was questioned how a federal permit out weighed the NJ State rules seemed no one could get a straight answer.

The reason the reason there are no boats working the NY side of the bay is their distance off the Beach is larger than ours,
IF NJ increased the distance from the HT line from 6/10 of a mile to a distance of 1.5 miles there wouldn't be bunker boats inside the bay

a Bait boat is also not allowed to use a fish pump and must be handled by hand, yet it takes just a ride to PP to watch the boats fill totes on the tractor trailers using a fish pump to expedite their loading.
when that was questioned we were told it ws being allowed so FG personal didn't have to spend as much time there watching the loading .

what sense is there to have a law, and it not be enforced due to personel restraints

Capt. Dan....Try getting a Federal Permit to work "Outside the line" To catch a few Bass" some roll reversal Bullshit here!!

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

So after all this, we get, that in the great state of New Jersey and the financial decisions made to benefit the state and the people of this state that contribute to it’s economic engine, that commercial fisherman in NJ can’t catch enough Bunker in their own state to supply demand elsewhere and need a permit issued to an out of state entity to supply another state with bait, sold from a Mass. company to supply Maine. Really? No one owns the Bunker, they just choose to reside here. It’s easy to create a problem, rather than solve it. Job justification at it’s finest, and money doesn’t matter. Does anyone have a bridge for sale?

[Surfer10]

There is a group called Stripers Forever that are working together to make the Striped Bass a gamefish. They help us speak as one voice. If you are not a member, I would encourage you to check it out and join. This is not a fishing report place. They also work on other things such as bunker/pogies too.

https://www.stripersforever.org/

Good group.