Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

mako 28 i tell ya what then you give me some money to go on party boat or charter boat more often and I gladly will. until then don't make suggestions that include spending money that they may not have. you do awesome many others are not nearly as lucky.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I disagree 100% I feel like the best shot you have at getting a big fish is early in the season I have a buddy who trolls the reach with stretch plugs for bass in april and every year he gets multiple fluke over 10lbs on those things. without even targeting them if he could I have no doubt that he would land atleast 1 10+ lb fish in april every year. the year before last he had an 11 and 13 within 2 weeks of one another. both had to be released

so i think that an early season would be a great thing for fluke fishermen.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

think we can all agree all these options are better then what we thought we'd be facing 3 or 4 years ago and also better then what states to our north and south have to deal with, we are actually lucky

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

The 17.5" crowd are recalling all the 17.999999999" fish they had to throw back last year, while forgetting all the obviously short and obviously keeper fish. It's a logical flaw to think that as the season progresses and fishing pressure ramps up, 0.5" is going to make a dramatic difference in the number of kept fish.

A lower bag limit, however, do compromise a fluke angler who goes out 2-3 times a week for the entire season...getting skunked on occasion and limiting out on other occasions. Yes I catch and keep my fair share of fluke, and I put a lot of time/effort/$$$ into fishing for this species. Why should the regulations favor the 3-4 trip guys over 30-40 trip guys? Last season I spent over $3000 on party boat fares/tips/pools chasing after fluke alone.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I hate to think how much I spend on fluking! and if my wife ever found out "OMG"!

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

How the hell do they come up with these numbers? Are the options laid out supposed to somehow be equal as far as the potential landings? WTF?

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Last season I spent over $3000 on party boat fares/tips/pools chasing after fluke alone.[/QUOTE]

Boy, I wish I had that much money to spend on fishing! I am lucky to get out a few times a year.:(

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

And I suggest you stay out of my finances by saying how, where, with whom and how much I care to spend on fishing.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Bluefish are your answer. ))

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

4000 views, 200 votes :confused:

Stop lurking, start voting :)

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

,, guys that voted have loooked 20 times to see what everyone else said LOL

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

More interesting are who are the SIX who voted:

3 fish @ 17 inches May 29 – Sept 1

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Guessing you don't fish the party boats. An 18" fish on a party boat is difficult. I had 25 keepers last year on 12 trips, including a limit first time out. There were lots of zeros. At 17.5" I would have had a great season. Pretty much don't even want to go fluke fishing any more. Do you really think an 18" limit helps the party boats?

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Yes #2

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I just voted #5 Give the people fishing on PB a chance to take dinner home.
I only fish half day boats now with the regs, caught 35 fish no keepers. I have limited out on a few trips, and I give families that are out trying to take the catch of the day home, my fish.
I am surprised non of the PB Capt. have responded to this poll, I see some Charter Boats and a few Mates.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I disagree.. Last year i put more fish in the cooler then in past years... Did a lot of fishing.. On party boats and friends boats.. Throwing 18in fish back looking for better.. People hitting limits wasnt hard..

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Being an avid fluke fisherman that runs a boat 3-4 times a week, running a 35' boat, spending thousands on fuel alone, like fishing the ocean for fluke. That's why I voted for option 2. It seems to me, that people that have alot to say, are people that fish from land, have a small boat or no boat. If that's the case we should have a 12" limit with 3 fish a man so everyone, everywhere can limit out. This is not about being rich or poor, it's about a regulation of a fishery.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I completely disagree. In fact, I think its the complete opposite.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Aren't you the same person who said this;

"My recommendation to those for a smaller bag/size limit is to get a bigger boat
and fish where the 18" fish live. For those who fish off land, hop on a charter or party boat."

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Y'know mako, for a guy talking about fishing not about being rich or poor, you sure are thumbing your nose at the little guys that can't afford your luxuries.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

All I did last season was fish party boats, and experienced by far the best NJ fluking in 10 years, in size and numbers. There are skunk days and limit days, you can't rely on memory, those of you who don't keep a fishing log. It's strong testament to the efficacy of correct conservation.

PLEASE try to see beyond your skewed recollection of "barely keepers" and recognize that when you're talking about 1/2" it's all relative. You're simply replacing the 17.9999" monkey with the 17.49999" monkey.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Andy, I agree that Mako's sentiment is grating and abrasive, and certainly not among the many good arguments for keeping our 18" size limit into next season. Just curious: how do you feel about the bag vs. size limit?

-roger

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

If I had the only voice in deciding, I would opt for something along the lines of a season from May1-September 30 with a bag limit of 6 with a minimum of 18"s.

The way I see it, there are always going to be sharpies that will limit/near limit almost every trip out. Those same sharpies (as well as others) usually make several trips a week. So lets say they make 2 trips a week; limit on 1 trip and get a near limit the next. So thats at least 14 or 15 fluke kept. They do this for say 10 weeks. Thats one person keeping 140-150 fluke in just 10 weeks. I don't care how much you like eatting fluke, no one is going to eat that much fluke (lets not forget that these same fisherman are more than likely filling their freezers with other species during the year). So what are they doing with all that fluke fillet ? Certainly they are eatting & freezing some but they're probably also giving some to neighbors, bartering some or whatever.

I just feel that a 6 fluke bag limit will best satisfy all; the sharpies, the weekend party boater & the guy who goes 2-3 times a year. In addition to dimishing the dockside hero mentallity of having to achieve an 8 fluke limit every trip.

Thus out of the options given and for my reasons stated above I think option 5 is best because it is closest to the season/bag limit I would set if I was the one & only to decide.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Something all the people getting the "just missed" fish should think about...there is a difference between fishing for fluke and fishing for keepers. Put some damn bait on. Too many times I see these little dinky baits being lowered in the water, for what? Yes you'll get a fish but remember the smaller fish are more eager and aggressive a lot of times. Scare them off with a bigger bait and you'll get a bigger fish, it may take a little longer that's all. I have been on the same private boat fishing next to somebody who catches 30-40 fish almost all shorts and I had 10 or so all keepers...why? Because my bait didn't encourage those little dinks. It helps using a hook they can barely swallow too, like a 9/0 octopus, and yes I still get shorts on it just not many. If you want to catch 50 fish without a keeper it's your choice to make but realize it doesn't mean there aren't any keepers where you're fishing. My 2 cents, just something to think about.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I don't fluke fish all that much since I run offshore as much as possible - but I feel Option 2 is best...

Again, thank you to the SSFFF and everyone who helped keep NJ fluke fishing afloat - two years ago we were almost shut down!!


Joe T.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

That would be a nice option. I'd like a longer season but keeping the size at 18" is important. 6 keepers, 8 keepers...my average over last season was 4.2

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

The poll above clearly shows support for the options with an 18" size limit, 8 fish bag limit and longer season. Is a representative from this site going to testify to the results of this survey at the NJMFC meeting on Thursday?

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

After thinking about the options, as a private boater #2 or 5 are the most viable. #2 longer season, larger limit, enjoy the lack of pressure in September and October works for me. But on the other side #5 is probably the best overall option for the party and charter boats. More people taking home dinner, means more repeat customers, equals more money.

The tackle shops and rental boats will probably do more with #5 as early season bay fisheries consist of more smaller fish early on, and bigger fish in September. Either option is a giant step from where we thought we would be before SSSFF got involved!

Wish I could attend but a 4PM meeting just doesn't work on a work day, give them hell and let us know the results.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

If no one has been chosen, I will via conference call if Gerry approves.

Let me know and I can call in or you can call me.

732 299 7527

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Poll Results

and

Entire Thread (logic behind votes)

ALL printed out and will hand in @ meeting today

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Really...would be nice if you have something under the boat....Just my opinion....bait is bait, you should learn how to catch them sir....small or your "large" baits......:p ........:D

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Thanks for your help Mike. I attended last time but have office commitment today and cannot get there.

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

Yes, thanks Mike. I also have a conflict I can't switch or I'd attend.

Math isn't my strong suit, but a quick calculation as of 11 am today shows 65% of our responses favor one of the 8 fish at 18 inch options.
Al

Re: Fluke Options Poll
 

I agree...you should learn how to catch them, and having them under the boat is step number 1. "Bait is bait"? I'll leave that one alone for now. ;)