i remember ......

[tautog]

I have no issue with restrictions on imperiled species, but the restrictions keep coming even after populations rebound. Black sea bass and red snapper would be great examples of fisheries that should be back to year round seasons. Locally, effectively closing black sea bass during the summer has negatively impacted ling and even fluke.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by tautog

I have no issue with restrictions on imperiled species, but the restrictions keep coming even after populations rebound. Black sea bass and red snapper would be great examples of fisheries that should be back to year round seasons. Locally, effectively closing black sea bass during the summer has negatively impacted ling and even fluke.

Sea bass are crushing the lobster fishery .
It’s crazy how many we catch in ruff areas that throw up a 3-4” lobster . Or have claws sticking out of their mouths .

[Gumada]

Back in the 70’s there were not many stripers in RB. Even at the 18” size limit a landed Striper was newspaper worthy. Fred B+T would run a tournament every year and there were 20 legal bass checked in at best. Once the commercial take was removed and the bunker protected…look at us now.

[Ol Pedro]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

Sea bass are crushing the lobster fishery .
It’s crazy how many we catch in ruff areas that throw up a 3-4” lobster . Or have claws sticking out of their mouths .

We see the same thing on our night trips.

[Detour66]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

Sea bass are crushing the lobster fishery .
It’s crazy how many we catch in ruff areas that throw up a 3-4” lobster . Or have claws sticking out of their mouths .

Just like I think the abundance of striped bass are effecting the Fluke in Raritan Bay. They need to increase the sea bass catch to at least 5 during the summer. This would take a lot of pressure off of the Fluke in the ocean. And also help the recreational fishing industry. People want to come home with some fresh fish.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Detour66

Just like I think the abundance of striped bass are effecting the Fluke in Raritan Bay. They need to increase the sea bass catch to at least 5 during the summer. This would take a lot of pressure off of the Fluke in the ocean. And also help the recreational fishing industry. People want to come home with some fresh fish.

Won't happen.. have you guys seen the price of a skinny 13 inch one pound sea bass???.. 20 something bucks up here at wegmans on ice and so old the gills are grey and the eyes are white.. even an iced 1 1/2 pound bluefish is probably 12-13 bucks or more these days... Fluke?.. Flounder?... insanity prices, more than shrimp.. Yet people pay it.. As long as they do, the ocean will get raped... Simply too much money to be made, and THATS the priority...

[Broad Bill]

Just remember the higher the price, the more tax dollars generated for federal and state governments. Who do you honestly think will win, the politicians or baby fluke and lobster?

With recreational they could care less about what you catch, it's all about fishing effort and how much you spend on the water. Which is why the regulations for '24 and '25 will be 3 at 18" with an extended season so there's more money spent and tax dollars collected.

Increased catch values for the commercial sector and increased fishing effort for the recreational sector, that's what the entire focus of fisheries management has boiled down to as it relates to saltwater fisheries management. And that doesn't bode well for the future of saltwater stocks.