Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski (Post 586398)

I don’t support a license for several reasons and it’s not about having to spend $x on a license.
- I don’t think it would increase access it would decrease it. You and your family are down at the beach or the bay for the day or on vacation and you think to yourself, let’s go fishing but you don’t have license. Probably means you’re not going to fish part of that maybe money, inconvenience or both and that would be a shame.
- I hear the money will be used for free ramps, yeah where? Most every piece of convenient land on the water in NJ is owned privately or by a municipality.. We do have some land owned by the state in Leonardo and in Atlantic City but you pay to launch.
- Since we’re taxed to death already, our state has enough money to do practically what ever it wants to since the state budget is now $56 Billion. It’s not a matter of money, it’s a matter of priorities.
- Some say we’re missing out on federal funding since we don’t have a license and others say it wouldn’t make a difference. I’d like to see proof one way or the other.
- I’d love to see more funding for the reef program but I don’t trust that the money from the license will be spent the way we want it , it will be spent the way they want it and you can guarantee they’ll be a lot of waste and mismanagement of the funds, this is NJ people. If we want money for the reef let’s raise money for it so we’re sure that’s where it gets used. Let’s also get our state to make it and other things we need a priority. It’s our money, not theirs!

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski (Post 586398)

I don’t support a license for several reasons and it’s not about having to spend $x on a license.
- I don’t think it would increase access it would decrease it. You and your family are down at the beach or the bay for the day or on vacation and you think to yourself, let’s go fishing but you don’t have license. Probably means you’re not going to fish part of that maybe money, inconvenience or both and that would be a shame.
- I hear the money will be used for free ramps, yeah where? Most every piece of convenient land on the water in NJ is owned privately or by a municipality.. We do have some land owned by the state in Leonardo and in Atlantic City but you pay to launch.
- Since we’re taxed to death already, our state has enough money to do practically what ever it wants to since the state budget is now $56 Billion. It’s not a matter of money, it’s a matter of priorities.
- Some say we’re missing out on federal funding since we don’t have a license and others say it wouldn’t make a difference. I’d like to see proof one way or the other.
- I’d love to see more funding for the reef program but I don’t trust that the money from the license will be spent the way we want it , it will be spent the way they want it and you can guarantee they’ll be a lot of waste and mismanagement of the funds, this is NJ people. If we want money for the reef let’s raise money for it so we’re sure that’s where it gets used. Let’s also get our state to make it and other things we need a priority. It’s our money, not theirs!

Originally Posted by AndyS (Post 586410)

How is it 19 states have a saltwater license but yet only 2 can't get it right, again, something fishy here.

Originally Posted by bulletbob (Post 586418)

If it were any of several other states I would have much less of a problem with a SW license,however NJ?? NY??...Those funds would be appropriated instantly into the general fund and distributed back into programs and giveaways to buy votes from the welfare class, "working poor",illegals,as well as programs that are legit and might benefit seniors, disabled, etc.. Might sound noble and all but thats NOT where fishing license fees should be used.. also, I despise the idea of "" the artificial reef program"".Too easy for that money to disappear into thin air. A LOT, a real lot of fishermen don't use the artificial reefs,, that money should go to greatly expanded access for shorebound and working class fishermen that might tow a 14 footer to fish a bay or tidal river, and NOT have to pay $75 to launch.. THATS where those fees should go,, State run free or low fee launch ramps, municipal or state park administered fishing piers and dedicated free access fishing areas in tidal areas, possibly fishing access on highway bridges that cross tidal rivers and bays, such as we see down south, etc.. Won't happen here, that money will go right to the cities where it will be used for ""social programs"" that are designed to catch voters, not to help anglers catch fish.

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694 (Post 586425)

I can't argue most of that but i will say the fw stocking program is absolutely top notch and funded by our fw licenses so id have hope similar could.be done for sw (not stocking, but access and reefs etc.) I also have to say i think the reefs are benefitial ro everyone fiahing even if not directly on the reef or for a "reef species" they hold bait, etc and have positive effects on even migratory fish hanging around and their food reproducing and such.

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694 (Post 586407)

Im with you not trusting the process but the best example is florida.... how does florida do it and its very successful based on how plentiful and well kept the access and marine environments are.

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694 (Post 586425)

I can't argue most of that but i will say the fw stocking program is absolutely top notch and funded by our fw licenses so id have hope similar could.be done for sw (not stocking, but access and reefs etc.) I also have to say i think the reefs are benefitial ro everyone fiahing even if not directly on the reef or for a "reef species" they hold bait, etc and have positive effects on even migratory fish hanging around and their food reproducing and such.