Fluke Options Poll

[NoWorries]

Everyone seems to only see this from their own view. Fluke quotas are established with an average catch per fisherman per day. This year I believe it was 1.5 fluke per day. Reducing the size will certainly increase that number to the point where I believe we will over harvest and pay for it next year. We're very close to rebuilding this fishery.

[Reel Class]

Originally Posted by NoWorries

Everyone seems to only see this from their own view. Fluke quotas are established with an average catch per fisherman per day. This year I believe it was 1.5 fluke per day. Reducing the size will certainly increase that number to the point where I believe we will over harvest and pay for it next year. We're very close to rebuilding this fishery.

Excellent point.

[Fish The Drop Off]

Originally Posted by NoWorries

Everyone seems to only see this from their own view. Fluke quotas are established with an average catch per fisherman per day. This year I believe it was 1.5 fluke per day. Reducing the size will certainly increase that number to the point where I believe we will over harvest and pay for it next year. We're very close to rebuilding this fishery.

I believe if we go with a 17.5 fish the harvest will go up to 2.3 or 2.4 per person. It could be a very large increase in looking at the BIG Picture.

I personal would love to get a smaller fish since weather over the last five years has shut down the fluke fishing in Sept. One or two good storms in Sept will be the end of fluke fishing.

[Lard Almighty]

I voted for 8 fish @ 18 inches May 5 – Oct 21. Longer season, highest bag limit, good for the captains. I like the later start because the boats will still get plenty of business in April from stripers.

As for people believing the best way to fill the freezer is 17 and 17.5 inch fish, you are right that it would be easier. However, the 18 inch-plus fish are there; the sharpies in the bow almost always catch the majority of them on any party boat. Maybe no one wants to admit that catching a keeper fluke is more challenging than just robotically dropping squid/spearing to the bottom?

[jwstand]

As the father of 3 young children 8, 6, 5 I would like to see a more attainable keeper. I took my boys out 3 times last year, and though they caught a few fish they were massively disappointed they could not bring home dinner for mommy. From the sheer number of just missed a keeper fish caught over the past 2 years it seems the bio-mass is in good order. I prefer a management that protects the breeding stock as the most valued commodity. It has worked well in FL and LA for multiple species!

I grant I am not the world's finest fluke fisherman, certainly closer to the bottom, but:

Dad to fish $50. 3 kids to fish $120. Tackle, drinks, sandwiches for trip $40. Coming home with no dinner for mommy $200 shopping trip for her! My kids - "mommy we caught you dinner!!" Priceless! AND a recommendation we go out AGAIN!!!

So yes, my interest in the smaller size is self-serving, but also in the hope my children will grow up appreciating the resource we have at our back door, as well as the importance of respecting credible attempts to maintain and protect it for ALL to enjoy, not just the most skilled amongst us (me not being one of them!).

[Bates]

I fully understand the desire to get the size limit down so those 17.9in fish you released last year will go in the box and any keeper is better than none. But, if history is correct, about a month into the season we will hear, why do I have to throw back 17 3/8ths inch fish, we need a lower limit. Do you really think there are that many 17.5-18in fish out there that they will carry the party boat fleet through the season? If the fleet, party and private, takes 15 to 150 fish each trip the resource is going to be depleated pretty quickly.

[reason162]

And that's why 1 slot fish @ 17 or 17.5" is the compromise, NOT juggling the bag vs. size limit.

[Capt. Debbie]

Bluefish are your answer. ))

Originally Posted by jwstand

As the father of 3 young children 8, 6, 5 I would like to see a more attainable keeper. I took my boys out 3 times last year, and though they caught a few fish they were massively disappointed they could not bring home dinner for mommy. From the sheer number of just missed a keeper fish caught over the past 2 years it seems the bio-mass is in good order. I prefer a management that protects the breeding stock as the most valued commodity. It has worked well in FL and LA for multiple species!

I grant I am not the world's finest fluke fisherman, certainly closer to the bottom, but:

Dad to fish $50. 3 kids to fish $120. Tackle, drinks, sandwiches for trip $40. Coming home with no dinner for mommy $200 shopping trip for her! My kids - "mommy we caught you dinner!!" Priceless! AND a recommendation we go out AGAIN!!!

So yes, my interest in the smaller size is self-serving, but also in the hope my children will grow up appreciating the resource we have at our back door, as well as the importance of respecting credible attempts to maintain and protect it for ALL to enjoy, not just the most skilled amongst us (me not being one of them!).