Striper Controversy Spreading
 

https://vineyardgazette.com/news/201...et-stripers-be

As you can see, the striper controversy is spreading. The most dangerous comments involve a favorable nod toward a moratorium. It's very obvious that the huge numbers of "big girls/cows" have dwindled lately, yet there are still lots of small fish in the surf and rivers every year. That is encouraging. The decision seems to be about size versus numbers/quality versus quantity. The fishing community has to decide, before others do it for us.

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

I'm usually catch and release unless I don't think the fish has a chance, that's my own rule I impose on myself, especially in the spring. I can see the other side of it though where people want to be able to have the choice to keep or not.

Hope there is a middle ground somewhere that allows for the species to rebound and let people keep a couple for the dinner table.

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

Kinda like shooting yourself in the foot.

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

There are more short and schoolie bass around now, specifically in our area, then I can remember in my 43 years. You can almost catch them anywhere during the "season" and at times, it's not even fair. I've had 20-30 fish HOURS this past season, on the inside, outside, wherever, well into the month of December.

Yes there has been a drop in bigger fish being caught, but as we've discussed many times, migratory routes have changed drastically due to bait staying offshore so a good amount of those true jumbo spawners have hung well off the beach during their migrations.

I think the new regs will help even more and will allow for all of these little fish to grow up and make even more of them.

Gotta love the abundance of the little fish!

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

Like they said,menhaden have been over fished and that could impact striper population. Thanks again fisheries management and greedy commercial reduction boats. Some people get rich and the rest of us get screwed as usual.

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

Believe it or not, there seems to be more bunkers than ever. There were some mornings way back in the day when we would ride through tide lines of dead bunkers in Sandy Hook Bay. They were discards from bunker boats that were fishing in the bays. Now, there are bunkers up and down the coast well into the summer.

Nevertheless.......even the fishermen in New England have noticed a big decline in larger bass up there.

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

Yes a lot more Bunker around our area then I can remember and with them, more whales then I've ever seen. We even have boats dedicated to whale watching now. I don't think Bunker is the issue here, although it's something we need to keep an eye on.... Also looks like Virginia is finally taking some steps to keep the companies like Omega in check https://chesapeakebaymagazine.com/fe...wXCKAKpSym4_RE

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

"ROD AND REEL WILL NEVER HARM AN OCEAN FISHERY. Period."

I thought the same for years, then like I said about 10 years ago I watched that massive school of striped bass sit off Long Beach Island for about 2 months. For those 2 months during the fall you could walk across the boats that pounded that school. Surf fishermen were stacked up on the beach, this was an all out striped bass "slaughter" if you will. Boats were blazing out of Manasquan inlet at 4am to be "first on the fish" They fished that massive school that stretched for miles until every last fish was caught.

What about the disappearance of bluefish, maybe too many overloaded burlap sacks ???

Re: Striper Controversy Spreading
 

Was it really that bad? When people catch fish it is a slaughter?The reason they fished it everyday is because they were there! They migrate and then there gone. As far as the burlap sacks full of bluefish it is total bs.That was years ago. People bring ice and only take what they need.As far as posting a picture of a boat with a nice bass ? The guy was probably proud as hell.Do you take pictures of trout in Round Valley? Do you keep any?Come on Andy give us a break.