Jcaa alert - pots off the reefs and fluke

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by JBird

How in the wide world of sports do you go from 5 fish at 18 inches to 2 at 19?!?! Where's the middle ground here?
And hasn't it been proven that the majority of fish over 18 inches are female?
My understanding is that by the time you get close to 5 lbs nearly 100% of the fish are female. Why do they continue to encourage us to take bigger fish when they know they're females? Makes no sense!
I've been saying for years now that we need a slot fish for fluke.
If they must reduce quota then how about this:

1) Shorten the season by a week or two. At the same time adjust the black seas bass season to coincide with the fluke season closing date. We're not asking for more BSB quota, just asking that the quota we are allowed is available the day after fluke closes. The party/charter boat businesses are choked in the fall when fluke closes. Making BSB available would put people at the rail.

2) Slot fish. Does anyone catch 5 fluke at 18 inches anymore? Sure it happens but realistically it's increasingly uncommon. I don't think a 4 fish bag would be the end of the world if one of the 4 was 16-18 inches. You would almost guarantee every angler taking at least one fish home for the table with an additional 3 possible. This MAY also have the effect of more people releasing big fluke. This scenario COULD play out on a party boat:
------Guy gets his slot, gets 2 more keepers. After that another guy gets a 7 lb pool leading fish. Now the guy with 3 of his 4 catches a 5 lber but decides to release it because he wants a shot at the pool.--- It's possible.

3) Ban the use of English hooks. Sorry guys but those f***ing things kill fish.

I know all you "experts" are going to make all your BS arguments about how I'm wrong but I'll tell you this: I've been working deck for 15 years, the last 5 on a 1/2 day fluke boat and I've unhooked thousands upon thousands of fluke. Those stupid little hooks are FAR more difficult to disgorge than a regular J hook or octopus.

My 2 cents.

I've been saying the same thing Jay... Why encourage people to only keep bigger fish.... Most fish over 19 inches are female and they are the breeders. I believe as a result of the SSFFF study (sex and size landings) a slot fish could be on the table. That is once the report is finalized and it goes through NOAA peer review. Problem is I don't think that is going to happen in time to effect next years regulations.

Here is the way these things usually go down..
- They initially threaten us with really restrictive limits.
- At the last minute they trow us a bone and give us another fish or 2
- Everyone is happy because they feel like we got something
- Every year that something is less and less