Sea Bass update

[RnK]

The majority of advisors and council members present favored the following option for sea bass with a 12 1/2" size limit, 20 fish bag limit with seasons from 5/19-8/8, 9/27-10/14 and 11/1-12/31. That will result in an open season of 161 days, 30 less than we had last year. The only problem now as I see it, is that if our fluke season ends on 9/16 and the sea bass season is closed until 9/27, there will be little for inshore fishermen to fish for inshore during those 11 days. We really need you guys to come to the NJMFC meeeting and urge our council members to add these additional days to our season. Again, any change in the fluke regulations will not be considered at the July meeeting. However, the sea bass regualtions will be set at the NJMFC meeting on 5/2. While I expect the option I mentioned to be the one chosen, there will be additional options made available to the public in the near future.

Paul Haertel
2nd VP JCAA

Latest from Paul Haertel's post on Bonus Fluke for NJ

Glad to see suggested minimum size not raised, as a large percent of keepers do not make 13". As for the limit of 20, although not ideal, livable I think. If it went lower, say 15 or 10, it would hurt the charter, 6pack guys hard as it then becomes very, very expensive to justify paying ca. $160 inclusive of all expenses to catch a limit of 15 fish.

These guys making the rules obviously do not fish in NJ, as the seabass stocks are huge, and been increasing yearly, and most of the roe stuffed females have not spawned as early as the 5/19 open. This is fish management???

[tautog]

Only good thing is 99% of females are sublegal and will be released.

[bigal427]

Still closing it in the beginning of
October the best time for inshore fishing

[Angler Paul]

The 20 fish bag limit was preferred by the majority of those at the NJMFC advisors meeting because that is what it is in federal waters.Having different bag limits in federal and state waters would be a headache for law enforcement and casual fishermen who might not understand the rules. Dropping the bag limit also allowed us to add a few days to the season from what it was if we kept it at 25.
Also federal waters are closed for sea bass from 10/1-10/14 which is why NJ opts to do the same. We don't want to burn our open fishing days by using them when we would be restricted to fishing only in our state waters.

[captadamnj]

Also federal waters are closed for sea bass from 10/1-10/14 which is why NJ opts to do the same.

No. Federal waters are closed 10/15-10/31.

[Angler Paul]

Thanks for correcting that Adam, that is what I intended to say.