SHBA Fishing Club...Looking for feedback

[jigmup]

No fish left to catch

[wyldbillnj]

Just a quick clarification....in the 40 years of running this event, the SHBA Club has always had a single winning fish. We never deviated from that officially. Unofficially, I think there was something with 2 fish...but can't confirm that.

[dales529]

Personally my opinion and NOT attached to any affiliation.
I believe there has become an unfounded bias towards many fishing groups by the masses that somehow think that these groups have something to do with the regulations.
How mostly volunteer recreational alliances get punished lately with a track record of only helping the sport is astonishing let alone disappointing but it is what it is and when we all disappear due to lack of support I guess the fishing community will band together and come up with a better plan?

Facebook to the rescue LOL.

Tournaments have been run for years with the goal of supporting recreational fishermen, charities, kids to be introduced to the sport, beach access etc , etc and now its pulling teeth due to lack of information and politics by the general public.

We have had Democrat, Republican Presidents, Governors and state officials of both parties forever. Tell me one that made a difference over another? None and we all tried to work with both

Fishing groups with volunteers like RFA NJ , JCAA , SHBA Heroes on the water, Wounded Warriors etc have all tried and now support dwindles to almost extinction with harsh sentiment.

Just my .02 which is going to .0 soon.

I get Gas prices and fishing spots / effort are an issue but an issue we have had before and will have again

Go Fishing if you can for the love of the sport, your friends and just enjoy that time as life is short.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by dales529

.
I believe there has become an unfounded bias towards many fishing groups by the masses that somehow think that these groups have something to do with the regulations.
How mostly volunteer recreational alliances get punished lately with a track record of only helping the sport is astonishing let alone disappointing but it is what it is and when we all disappear due to lack of support I guess the fishing community will band together and come up with a better plan?
.

Dave I get where your coming from. Believe me. But I guarantee the consensus out there is “why donate, why try, why fight against the regs if a ****ing thing hasn’t changed”. For the everyday guy it gets frustrating as hell. I’m sure guys like yourself and Dakota who fight the fight it’s even more so.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Unfortunately I've noticed a few subtle and sobering things change over the years that influence these tournaments and fishing in general besides regulations, weather and money or lack thereof.

A the top of the list is the aging generation of boomers like me that have the time and the money but simply don't have the energy they used to.

Next is a generation behind us, many who have the money but feel like keeping fish for the table or a tournament is practically a crime.

Lastly is a generation of up and coming younger people who have no money like we did when we were young and or have no interest in fishing and God forbid if they have to compete for something.

Take a look around at the traditional clubs, Knights, Moose, etc.. They're starving for members and people to get involved... Memberships dwindle and there is no one behind them to take their place...

Next time you go out on a charter or party boat, look around and what do you see?? Grey haired people like me with no younger people to back fill us unless the grey hairs take them.

Take a kid fishing, get them involved, it's our only chance to leave this legacy we've enjoyed and pass it along to future generations.

[AndyS]

Very few fish to fish for, what's a big fluke these days, maybe 4 or 5 pounds.

[champ]

Good stuff. AS far as 1 fish over 18", what is your opinions about the tournaments allowing up to 6 on a boat? That gives you 6 chances at a money fish. Could it be the boats with only 1,2,3 guys are opting out?

As far as the big fluke these days - 4# didn't make the money boards. One tourny was 12#, Elks 7.5# and SHBA top three 7-7.5#.

[wyldbillnj]

Champ...Thanks for making the point about being able to have 6 anglers on a boat. The other thing that sets us apart is that you are able to fish for 2 full days..>Saturday AND Sunday. So technically speaking, you have 12 opportunities at a money fish + the calcutta. Even with 3 guys, the opportunity to live well and cull a fish or two is there.

The bay being devoid of fluke is a big thing. Not being able to fish relatively protected waters and known fishing grounds hurts as well. Im curious...Has there been any research about the abundance of the dogfish and how it relates to fluke? I would love to know how that population explosion has put a damper on the fluke.

One of the other subjects brought up offline was guaranteed money for the event. Up until covid, we guaranteed $5700 in total prize money. Never had to worry about number of boats entering the tourney...we know our break even and cannot afford to run to a deficit. Therefore, like other events...we split the entry money up proportionally. Does this honestly and truly make a difference in your eyes or not really?