Targeting Striped Bass During Closes Season

[Harpoon]

A thread was posted the other day about a bass that was recently caught and released in closed waters. During the thread there was some question as to the legality of this practice. So I reached out via the official NJ website (not to some friend that I may or may not know) and received this official response. Looks like they interpret the word 'Take' as something different then keeping.

** MESSAGE **
SUBJECT: Catch/Release Striped Bass Closed Season

Good day. A bit of debate going on with some fishing buddies to determine if the following is LEGAL:

Are NJ anglers with proper licenses allowed to fish in the back waters of NJ and purposely target striped bass with the intention of releasing after the catch?

Thank you
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You cannot target the fish if there is a closed season. As found on page 13 of the Marine Digest ( http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/digmar.htm ) you cannot "attempt to take" striped bass during the closed season. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

[SaltLife1980]

Answers that question..

How do you like dem apples nancy corigan? Turns out I did not misinterpret the law but rather YOU DID. You can post your "I'm sorry you were correct" post at any time. As I said in the other thread, proving attempted catch and release is too vague and therefore in the eyes of the law attempting to take includes targeting in any way regardless of intention with the catch

[Harpoon]

Just to add some additional clarification.......
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take means having one on your hook I believe.

Whenever you have a question you can always contact our law office. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

[aduma1107]

Originally Posted by AustinS

You can post your "I'm sorry you were correct" post at any time.

Don't hold your breath, just expect another aimless response

[RBC67]

Illegal

[007Hookem]

Welp....Looks like that's a closed case. Thanks for clarification harpoon.

[Harpoon]

Originally Posted by Harpoon

A thread was posted the other day about a bass that was recently caught and released in closed waters. During the thread there was some question as to the legality of this practice. So I reached out via the official NJ website (not to some friend that I may or may not know) and received this official response. Looks like they interpret the word 'Take' as something different then keeping.

** MESSAGE **
SUBJECT: Catch/Release Striped Bass Closed Season

Good day. A bit of debate going on with some fishing buddies to determine if the following is LEGAL:

Are NJ anglers with proper licenses allowed to fish in the back waters of NJ and purposely target striped bass with the intention of releasing after the catch?

Thank you
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You cannot target the fish if there is a closed season. As found on page 13 of the Marine Digest ( http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/digmar.htm ) you cannot "attempt to take" striped bass during the closed season. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

Take means having one on your hook I believe.

Whenever you have a question you can always contact our law office. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
NJFishandWildlife@dep.state.nj.us
http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

[torchee]

This post is getting sad....

I can't wait for spring so we can all post about fishing trips.

[Jay]

Striped Bass (includes Hybrid Striped Bass)

The possession limit for striped bass/hybrid striped bass is two fish with a

minimum size limit of 28 inches for each fish. Anglers participating in the
Striped Bass Bonus Program may possess an additional striped bass at least28 inches in length. It is illegal to take, catch or kill any striped bass from or in any marinewaters of this state, by means of a net of any description, or by any methodsother than angling with a hook and line or by spear fishing. It is illegal to possess any striped bass which is less than the legal minimumsize of 28 inches. A person shall not fillet, or remove the head or tail, or parts thereof, of any striped bass at sea. Harvest and possession of striped bass from federal waters (outside threemiles) is prohibited. Sale of striped bass in New Jersey is prohibited.

Striped Bass Closed Seasons

No person may take, attempt to take, or have in possession any striped bass

from the following closed waters:

Jan. 1–Feb. 28:

All waters closed except the Atlantic Ocean from zero to

three miles offshore. All inlets and bays are delineated from ocean waters
by a Colregs Demarcation line.

April 1–May 31:

Delaware River and Bay and their tributaries closed from

the upstream side of the Calhoun St. bridge downstream to and including
the Salem River and its tributaries.

Note:

Non-offset circle hooks are required to reduce striped bass bycatch

mortality while fishing with natural bait during the striped bass springtime
spawning area closure within the Delaware River and its tributaries. This

restriction does not apply to hook sizes smaller than size 2. >