NOAA is both right and wrong about Fluke

[gnuisance]

This will be unpopular here but it's time to face facts. This fluke year is very very poor. Too poor to be lumped in with other years that weren't that great. Is it possible that there will be a big push of bait after this moon or the deeper water temps will jump and turn on a good bite - maybe, but even that wouldn't salvage our season at this point. The season is basically halfway over. I've been out at least twice a week and have 5 keepers. I'm no fluke jesus but I'm not a noob either. I've been bouncing jigs, dragging bait. Have fished killies, squid, spearing, gulp, strip baits and some other things.

If you want to tell me I suck and that's why I'm not catching then please by all means go ahead. I was catching pretty easy 5 fish limits at this time last year in all the same spots.

So here is how NOAA is both right and wrong. They are right that the biomass is hurting and overfishing is occurring. They are wrong about how to manage the fishery in general. If we can get a consensus on both of these things and get some proper management then maybe this fishery can be saved. If not, it's going the way of other fisheries here in NJ that were woefully mismanaged.

I welcome your thoughts, insults and criticisms

[Rich]

No argument here. Been Fluke fishing for at least 50 years, this is by far the worst season I have ever seen. Been out with a buddy at least 5 times in the Keyport, Keansburg areas, only 2 keepers between us for all the trips, even short Fluke were not around. Did not see any other boats out there catching either. Commerical nets are killing off everything.

[Capt. Debbie]

GOOD POINT.

Why can't they track catches of Commercial guys and publicly post results? We can see tear to yea, month to month, state to state if they are having a banner year, or screwed like us.

Originally Posted by Rich

No argument here. Been Fluke fishing for at least 50 years, this is by far the worst season I have ever seen. Been out with a buddy at least 5 times in the Keyport, Keansburg areas, only 2 keepers between us for all the trips, even short Fluke were not around. Did not see any other boats out there catching either. Commerical nets are killing off everything.

[FISHGERE]

I have given up fluke fishing, really is a joke this year, a waste of time. commercial guys killed it vacuumed the ocean floors. they want us off the water.

[Irish Jigger]

I spoke with a "commercial guy" over the weekend and he has not only given up on fluke this season do to no fish in the area, but his conch pots as well. He's raking clams a few days a week and working on a squid boat to make a days pay. It's not just us recreational guys having a slow season. Water temps are off.

[bulletbob]

Time for rod and reel ONLY commercial fishing... Strict quotas like us recreational guys have... Yes the catch will only be a fraction, but prices for available fish will skyrocket.... If people want fresh flounder fluke, etc, either pay the price as you must with expensive prime beef, lobster, shrimp, scallops, or eat tilapia or farm raised salmon...

[stevelikes2fish]

Could it be that the majority of fluke took a more northern path this year, heading straight up to New York waters and beyond during their annual migration from out east. Is it part of a new cycle because of changing currents, etc. I don't know. What I do know is if you look at the reports from new York, long Island and Montauk plus mass., looks like they are having one hell of a year. Hell, just saw a report from a 6 pack out of mass., 6 fluke 9 pounds or better.
As far as NOAA......,,Never On About Anything.......just my cents....

[Sullivan]

I agree , season sucks and I think everyone knows . Management has got to get better and I think it will . It is what it is , a bad year , and only a bad year , better fishing is ahead .

[skate king]

I enjoy reading the posts here but rarely respond but yours intrigued me. Mainly because you welcomed comments and criticism. Your last sentence was the reason I want to respond. I don't think fishing has been the same since Sandy. But I also strongly believe our current regs make little sense. When we do catch a keeper fluke it will most likely be a female breeder. But the biggest harm, in my opinion, is protecting dogfish and conger eels. Two very prolific and bottom feeding species. How many fish eggs and young fish do they destroy? Add in the bait fish and a lot if unfavorable fishing conditions and it adds up to poor fishing. I often wonder if the people that make our regulations have ever been on a boat much less ever fished. I also welcome any comments and/or criticism.

[NoLimit]

We sure as hell pay enough in taxes - why can't we get a PhD to determine fluke mortality...and then act on it. It sure as hell is not the 100 keepers recreational fisherman per day