Looks like we should have taken 3 @ 19"

[Hunter 2]

I'm thinking Combo fluking and parasailing trips this summer.

I truly feel bad for the full time Captains , tackleshops, sandwich/ breakfast shops, lodging establishments, etc. etc

[WaltNJ]

The attack on recreational fishing has been going on for 20+ years. "They" are relentless. When the rules get to the point where they are ridiculous...people simply stop following the rules. We, collectively, on this site are "rule followers" for the most part...but I can't count how many times I've seen certain people out on the hook surf fishing keeping every single thing that bites their line...or guys in Trout Conservation Areas fishing with salmon eggs throwing everything they catch in a mesh back under a rock. Heck, I even had a person run into the surf in 55 degree water with jeans on because I threw back a short bass. He couldn't believe I threw a fish back!

While these rules will exist, regardless of what rules get adopted...how are they planning on enforcement? Once in a blue moon there's a guy with a measuring board at the dock checking boats. Heck, he asked me once if I caught anything. I said, "No luck today...maybe next time." That was it...he moved on. I know that sometimes they check...but its pretty rare overall.

Regarding charters, party boats, and tackle shops...what is anyone going to fish for between September 5 and say mid-October? And are guys going to really run boats for ONE tautog?

Not to mention all the "good things" that would come out of making Sandy Hook Bay some sort of federal sanctuary or whatever term they're scamming us with these days.

I'm sure people put lots of time into fighting for our rights as recreational fisherman, but it's a numbers game. Only something like 3% of the population of NJ are fisherman...and not all of those are saltwater fisherman. Small voting block equals little (if any) attention from the rule-makers. Yeah, there may be a guy from time to time who shows some support, but that support usually fades out as you follow our interests up the chain of bureaucracy.

And guess why the commercial guys can dump literally tons of dead fish per day. It's because of the insatiable demand for fish by the public...mostly the non-fishing public who, many times, don't want to know how the sausage is made as long as they get their red snapper presented properly...or their blackened swordfish served just right.

And if you think this whole "free" Saltwater Registry thing doesn't have some sort of intention to eventually charge another "tax" otherwise called a "license", you need to get your head out of the sand. Let's not forget about the excise tax already placed on our fishing purchases.

I'm not saying that there shouldn't be a battle over preserving our rights, but my expectations are pretty low. This incremental erosion of our right to "pursue happiness" how we see fit is remarkable.

Welcome to today's United States...where common sense is no longer common.

And I conclude this rant...unapologetically.

[bunker dunker]

i can remember when the 1st fluke size limit came out and all the old timers said
that if we give in they will just continue to take.that was 40 some years ago and yes they are still taking.what have they "given" to us rec fishing peep????
what have they done to help the rec fishing in this state?????.

[Ttmako]

Lets be clear:
1-Addendum XViii, never included an option for 3@18 with a shortened season. This was a last ditch effort to avoid being held out of compliance.
2-The position that was being advocated was to not change anything until the science was improved.
3-This still isn't approved and final regs are not published.

We took a stand and fought. To say we should have rolled over is insulting! We need to do something, anything to stop this BS. I'll continue to fight, thank you very much. I hope you enjoy the benefit.

[bunker dunker]

explain benefit???what benefit???

[Quin T Rex]

Hello All It was my understanding tha we were going to stay stong with what we believe in, that flawed data was unacceptable. The support we have politically I believe has never been as strong as it is today. My impression was that we would not accept there offers and go out of compliance and let the secretary of commerce handle this issue. As you know the current proposasl would be extemely harmfull to the party,charter, recreational fishing dependedent industries along our coast.We made great progress earlier in the battle,. I see no need to surrender now. Just my opinion..

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

When you receive a survey and it asks " how many paying passengers did you have " and not how many fish you caught it's clear to see where it's headed. Pay to play is coming. Keep posting "LIMITS" in your title fellas, as you can see your limit is headed to zero.

[Capt. Lou]

Finally someone gets it , any dock photos etc can be and will be used against you ! Limits ? Translates into catching to many fish even when the limit is a measley fish or two ! Yaaa this is what it comes down to & pretty soon the limits will be zero . They have taken every opportunity to reduce limits & each time this occurs we lose anglers , business's etc associated with all fisheries !
Flawed fisheries laws or not they have the upper hand ! Just look at what's happened in the last 5 years , you can't even cod fish in the gulf of Maine ! Wait I'm wrong about that I think your allowed 1 August thru Oct .
The stocks in many instances are recovered but we still can't fish , the best parts of seasons are closed maybe we should all take up dog fishing there's a success story that benefits us !

[stevelikes2fish]

Facebook & cameras..................every fishermen's worst nightmare............and every agencies greatest intel..................

[Ttmako]

Originally Posted by bunker dunker

explain benefit???what benefit???

If we don't fight we will not be allowed to fish. We need to draw the line in the sand and prove to them their science is BS.
We are so close.