Why keep small ones?
 

This morning I took my family to the Point side of the MRI. I wanted to see how the guys were doing fishing from shore. It was mostly a slow pick for the 30+ guys. I'd say once every 10 minutes or so somebody would bring one in. Lots of boats drifting the inlet too, but no boats caught during the two hours I was there.

I saw one fisherman catch a 12" fluke. If he was lucky it was 12". What does he do with it? He puts it in his bucket.

Now I wasn't close to him, but I wasn't far away either. The guy next to him looked puzzled too. Nobody else noticed he even caught anything. About 5 minutes later, he takes his bucket to his car, empties and and goes back to fishing.

I see this happening when guys fish from shore all too often. In no way am I making ANY generalities. It's just strange to me, that's all. What could one possibly do with such a small fish? This is why our fisheries keep (not so slowly) being taken from us.

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

"...This is why our fisheries keep (not so slowly) being taken from us".

Horsechit!

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

The rules have convinced you that the bigger ones are more desirable, not true. If I could keep 16"ers I would.

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

Agreed, but 12" is quite small.

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

I have called fish and game when it is obvious poaching....use to have the number on speed dial but need to update my new phone...


http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/contact.htm

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

Posting this here does no good whatsoever. You call FISH AND GAME, and you REPORT IT. The guy is KNOWINGLY taking short fish, is stashing them in his car, and is getting away with it. This gives the AUTHORITIES a reason to come out and at the very least investigate.

The #: 1-877-WARN-DEP (this is NJ Operation Game Thief)

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

Quite small??? It's short!

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

I guess we all have our standards, but if you go entirely based upon the rules and regs that are thrown out there it`s BS. With that being said, personally a 12 inch fluke is too small.... Let`s be serious, do you really think the regs are based upon sound data? No! It`s driven by faulty data, which is the result of politicians be paid off by lobbyists who represent various groups who screw us. ( Party boats, Charter boats, Bait and tackle stores, private boat anglers and shore based anglers.)
I don`t advocate beating up on any species , but when the day comes that you can`t even bring home diinner after a long day of fishing something is wrong.
To think that I can`t keep a 17 3/4 fluke so no one else can justifies being a rat, is funny. So pound your chest and feel good about ratting out your fellow man.
Selective morality of what someone thinks is right or wrong is always funny. If someone is obviously doing 30 mph in a 25 mph zone and gets a ticket they will scream from the highest mountain like a little girl.
Please everyone, come off that high horse of personal morality and just fish.

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

I certainly called. Just posting to raise awareness. Short, small, you know what I mean.

Re: Why keep small ones?
 

Rumster, I love you man!!! Glad to see someone else on the same page. It's all Bullshit, 12 inch fish no-way but the commercials can keep 14 so why am I, 4 inches over what is legal for them?:confused: I don't blame the commercial guys, they are getting it up the butt just as hard if you read the regs. I just want a chance to survive along with the rest of us....