Looks like we should have taken 3 @ 19"

[Flygaff]

What planet do these people come from. There is so much data to support an increase in recreational fishing and they just don't get it. It has to be the commercial lobbies that fuel these issues. I am so fed up. For me. I pay taxes , I served my country in the military. If I want to keep fish. I WILL. I encourage everyone else to follow suit. How much damage to the environment could I possibly cause if I bring home 8 fluke, or 18 Sea Bass? This is just crazy. I have seen the commercials several times dump their nets. Dead fish as far as you can see. How about limit them to pounds caught and no throw backs. If all the come up with are mullet, than that is what they get. They throw back fish because they can continue fishing and catch a more valuable species. I am beginning to hate my own country due to the corruption that is so rampant.

Just my 2 cents. of course it is now only worth 0.002 cents.

Good luck out there everyone and be safe

[Abrasion]

If you operate a charter boat, 3@18" and a shorter season just killed you. 3@19 with a longer season made more sense. Let's be honest, this outcome is a failure all around.

[captmark]

Gentleman, look at this way, Fluke 3 @ 19 or 18" and the Sea Bass being cut to 5 fish. Take a look at the docks in your area, more and more head boats are being sold, more charter boats are leaving (us included) if you need proof just in Point Pleasant alone, Cock Robin sold, Bogans fleet reduced, the Islander sold many other 6 packs have either folded or sold yeah some new ones have started but it is a fact they dont care about this industry that helps support other local businesses. Many of us filled out the survey that they wanted to see if the cut backs would hurt us and local businesses, I guess that went in the trash.
Just my 1 cent oh they took the other cent

[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

[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.

[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?????.

[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..

[Ttmako]

Originally Posted by 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..

The political support dried up earlier this spring.
Tom Macarthur bailed on us. If you are in his district, please remember him next election cycle.
You are correct, we need to keep fighting this.

[bunker dunker]

ttmako no disrespect but we have been hearing that for 40 or so years.what have they done for us in those years?????.i'll tell you what they have done......
NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!.