SHBA Fishing Club...Looking for feedback

[wyldbillnj]

On July 17th, we concluded our 2022/40th annual fluke tournament. As it goes every year there are challenges and this year was no different. We see a disturbing trend in our sport – decreased participation. Our numbers this year did not meet expectations. While we can attribute some of this to fuel costs, that doesn’t help explain prior years’ trends. This looks to be the case in all fluke tournaments, not just ours.


Why is interest on the decline?

If you participated in any fluke tournaments in years past, but choose not to do so anymore why?


Your Honest opinion is appreciated. Post here, PM me or email at sandyhookbayanglersfc@gmail.com.

Thank you.
Bill

[FishingSinceIWasThree]

Reduced participation because it is too expensive to fish and you can't keep anything without the fish Nazis Gestapo all over you. Fishermen treated like criminals and criminals are treated like some kind of perverted super heroes.

Too aggravating to fish....which is exactly what they want. I used to take the kids snapper fishing each Fall but can only keep 3 so it is too aggravating and expensive to go.

This is all part of Joe Biden/Phil Murphy/China movement to starve Americans while taking away their rights, recreation and ability to feed themselves.

[Skolmann]

I think (at least for this year) you had two factors working against you;

1-The fact that you are only allowed to keep one fluke over 18”s per person. In years past it was the combined weight of your best 3 (and maybe 5 years back). I don’t think many people feel comfortable/confident in finding/catching that 1 big fish.

2-The price of fuel. With the bay fishery not producing the big fluke it did 10, 15, 20 years ago it’s hard for people to justify making the long run to deep water ocean spots to find that 1 fish.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Skolmann

I think (at least for this year) you had two factors working against you;

1-The fact that you are only allowed to keep one fluke over 18”s per person. In years past it was the combined weight of your best 3 (and maybe 5 years back). I don’t think many people feel comfortable/confident in finding/catching that 1 big fish.

2-The price of fuel. With the bay fishery not producing the big fluke it did 10, 15, 20 years ago it’s hard for people to justify making the long run to deep water ocean spots to find that 1 fish.

Ditto

[jigmup]

No fish left to catch

[wyldbillnj]

Just a quick clarification....in the 40 years of running this event, the SHBA Club has always had a single winning fish. We never deviated from that officially. Unofficially, I think there was something with 2 fish...but can't confirm that.