Sea bass & fluke $$$$$

[Bluefish]

I couldn't begin to count the 000's of fish I sold as a kid and young adult off the boat, regular customers back day after day, we were good for them and they depended on us. then the city (NY) decided our daily catch wasn't as suitable as the gray eyed colorless gilled fish that were available in the local market. And nothing brought in went to waste, all wound up on somebody's dinner plate. Local restaurant had Fresh Sea bass on the menu last night, I asked to see a non cooked piece and yes it was "our seabass" so I cant go catch one to eat but I can buy in a store or restaurant.

[frugalfisherman]

This week Shoprite has yellowfin tuna steaks (previously frozen) for $8.99 a pound. Walmart has 2lb bags of frozen wild caught salmon fillets for under $9 (that's $4.50 a lb). Two of Our local party boats have commercial licenses I believe and if you call around you might be able to buy sea bass when they come in (probably cheaper than doing the fishing trip).If you want to buy fish at Wegmans or Whole Foods you are going to pay and I doubt if the quality is better. Years ago they used to tell you fish tasted just like chicken when the fish was cheaper. Now all you have to do is buy a Perdue Oven Stuffer for 99 cents a pound and tell everyone it tastes just like fish!

[anchor joe]

Regular mix flounder delivered today at wholesale $ 10.25 per pound

[billsonthewater]

I remember when you couldn't give fish away unless it was cleaned or fileted.
half day fluke from brielle was 8 bucks and fish were plentiful.That isn't that long ago

[Blackfish Doug]

Now all you have to do is buy a Perdue Oven Stuffer for 99 cents a pound and tell everyone it tastes just like fish![/QUOTE]

Now that's real funny but true. What really gets to me is how much prices has changed over the years. When I was a pin hooker back in the early 70's in order to get .50 cents pound for blackfish it had to be felted before shipped for that price. Now it's opposite I remember getting $2.50 a pound jumbo porgies try to get that now. But the commercial guys never gets close to what the market gets it goes through so many channels before it get to the super market.

[Capt Sal]

The mates could put some extra bucks in there pockets selling a few fish at the dock. If you do that now you are a criminal.

[tautog]

One time I went to buy fish last March, cod was 19.99 and swordfish was 14.99 so i settled for swordfish. Once in April, I wanted fish tacos and tilapia was 9.99.

[torchee]

Tilapia is sweat shop fish...

I know many people eat it as a staple

But farm raised in fresh water??? Just not natural- almost tastes like the fish has no soul.

Maybe I'm just spoiled cause I kill everything I eat.

[tautog]

I do too but March and April can be tough. With fish tacos, the fish doesn't matter as much.

[togzilla]

We can all complain about the prices, regulations, taxes, blah blah blah. But unless we get involved nothing is going to change. I remember 25-30 years ago when organizations like PETA tried boycotting and protesting local fishing tournaments down at Atlantic Highlands to no avail as we all made fun of them. They quickly learned that to get rid of the recreational fishing you need to kill their source. Influence the National Marine Fisheries Service and manipulate bullshit scientific data on fish stocks and bingo, you can now put limits on recreational harvest and slowly decimate the party/charter boats, bait shops, boat dealers, marinas, etc. and this in turn will decrease and eventually eliminatet the recreational fisherman. If you doubt this look what has happened all along the coast of California. Those granola heads out there are nuts!
I find the vast majority of politicians are corrupt and they are bought and paid for by lobbiest of corporations including those interests of the handful of large commercial fishing interests along our coasts. Big govt. is more thn happy to entertainer these groups.
Bottom line: Stop voting in politicians who support big govt. as they are determined to take away your liberties as they know better. I think we all know what political party we are talking about. If you completely disagree with this kiss my ass!