[Billfish715]

The report/study targeted J Hooks and an additional study was to be done with kahle ( English bend) hooks. I dislike too much governmental intrusions and unnecessary and wide ranging regulations but if using a certain size and style hook reduces mortality, I'm for it. The object is to prove to fisheries' scientists that we have cut back on the number of dead fish that they use to create our size and bag limits.

I might remind you that circle hooks only may be used in sections of the Delaware River when fishing for striped bass. Some folks don't like it but the goal is clear.

Using larger hooks is one way to improve fluke mortality rates but careful
handling of a fish before its release is another. Many party boat patrons as well as many private boat fishermen only know how to drag bait........and they catch fish. They are entitled to their own style of fishing and I doubt that there is a charter captain who would turn down a customer's request to use bait.

I'm not sure how some of the sponsors who operate bait and tackle stores would feel if they couldn't sell bait. Bucktails are fun to use but they are not for everyone as evidenced by the big fluke that are caught every season by someone dragging a squid and killie. My point is, again, this study indicates that using bigger hooks catches fewer small fish and thereby reduces the number of throwbacks that will eventually die because of the removal of deeply impaled hooks. Big hooks come out easier and make safe releases more likely.