FISHERMEN/COMMENT TO ASMF/STRIPED BASS

[ksong]

Here is Capt Skip's remarks on Facebook. I totally agree with him.

My name is Captain Skip Jastremski. I own and Run Stalker Fishing Charters out of Cape May NJ. I’ve been working on the water since I was 12yrs old and have been a captain since I was 22 yrs old. I’m 46 now. I’d like to think that my opinion might count in a situation like this as I’m on the water a lot more than most people.
I have to urge you not to put the Striped Bass fishery into any type of closure as it would send many businesses, including mine into an epic collapse! Tackle shops, marinas, gas stations, mom and pop restaurants , charter boats and even the bigger stores such as Bass pro shops and Cabelas will feel the effects of this type of decision!!
I’ve spent countless hours learning about these fish and feel as though the state of this fishery is not in bad shape! Climate change , migratory patterns, erosion, pollution may be some of your biggest factors on why things aren’t what they once were. Maybe Stripers have found different areas to spawn. As far as numbers of Stripers. I haven’t seen a decline in my time on the water (which is a lot) Ever since super storm Sandy, things have shifted. Water temps are warmer later into the season for one.
Please consider the repercussions of what this could lead to. People have families, homes, kids getting ready to go into college��. This will certainly affect all of that! For me for sure!
I am 100% against the fishery being put into a closure and or just being catch and release. I feel as though one Striper 28” and above was the best option and leads to a lot less fish being handled for more time than they need to be handled.
May I recommend no fishing in the rivers during their spawn season in March/April and May. That would help a lot I believe.
I hope that we can come to a resolution with all of this and the folks at ASFMC can please see that this is just not the answer to the flawed science.
I am available to speak to anyone that would be willing to reach out.
Thank you for your time!
Captain Skip Jastremski
Stalker Fishing Charters
Cape May NJ
609-972-5218
We have to respond to ASMFC by Dec 10. Comments@asmfc.org

[togzilla]

Here is the point everyone is missing. This is the bureaucratic govt. that wants us off the water so they can use the resource for their own special interest groups. They have been infected with progressive liberal interests for decades and their fruits of their labor are finally coming to pass. How else can you explain the complete mismanagement of our fisheries(winter flounder, whiting, fluke, blackfish, etc.) ?

[mikdel]

Originally Posted by togzilla

Here is the point everyone is missing. This is the bureaucratic govt. that wants us off the water so they can use the resource for their own special interest groups. They have been infected with progressive liberal interests for decades and their fruits of their labor are finally coming to pass. How else can you explain the complete mismanagement of our fisheries(winter flounder, whiting, fluke, blackfish, etc.) ?

Would you call commercial fishermen and commercial fisheries with money to pay lobbyist to promote their interest progressive liberals? I believe if I read it right on here commercial fisherman will be able to keep flounder as bycatch when out of season for them. Maybe recs should be able to do the same with by catch flounder when fishing for other species like striped bass.

[TheFishSlayer]

Gerry and the rest of the gang, let’s get a change.org petition going. I don’t know all the details of the proposition. But I think we can get tens of thousands of signatures on a well written letter.

Let me know id be happy to help.

Nathan Franco

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by TheFishSlayer

Gerry and the rest of the gang, let’s get a change.org petition going. I don’t know all the details of the proposition. But I think we can get tens of thousands of signatures on a well written letter.

Let me know id be happy to help.

Nathan Franco

Thanks Nathan lets see where this goes on 12/16 and if it’s over the top we’ll need a petition and a lot of other political influence

[Legacy]

I sent in my comments Ron. With 50 plus years on the water and my experience fishing for bass from Maine down to North Carolina, I would hope that my feedback does not fall on deaf ears.

[captbogan]

Originally Posted by togzilla

Here is the point everyone is missing. This is the bureaucratic govt. that wants us off the water so they can use the resource for their own special interest groups. They have been infected with progressive liberal interests for decades and their fruits of their labor are finally coming to pass. How else can you explain the complete mismanagement of our fisheries(winter flounder, whiting, fluke, blackfish, etc.) ?

This is completely true. I have been saying this for years. The more boats they get off their ocean, the better. There will never be enough fish in the ocean for them.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by ksong

Here is Capt Skip's remarks on Facebook. I totally agree with him.

My name is Captain Skip Jastremski. I own and Run Stalker Fishing Charters out of Cape May NJ. I’ve been working on the water since I was 12yrs old and have been a captain since I was 22 yrs old. I’m 46 now. I’d like to think that my opinion might count in a situation like this as I’m on the water a lot more than most people.
I have to urge you not to put the Striped Bass fishery into any type of closure as it would send many businesses, including mine into an epic collapse! Tackle shops, marinas, gas stations, mom and pop restaurants , charter boats and even the bigger stores such as Bass pro shops and Cabelas will feel the effects of this type of decision!!
I’ve spent countless hours learning about these fish and feel as though the state of this fishery is not in bad shape! Climate change , migratory patterns, erosion, pollution may be some of your biggest factors on why things aren’t what they once were. Maybe Stripers have found different areas to spawn. As far as numbers of Stripers. I haven’t seen a decline in my time on the water (which is a lot) Ever since super storm Sandy, things have shifted. Water temps are warmer later into the season for one.
Please consider the repercussions of what this could lead to. People have families, homes, kids getting ready to go into college��. This will certainly affect all of that! For me for sure!
I am 100% against the fishery being put into a closure and or just being catch and release. I feel as though one Striper 28” and above was the best option and leads to a lot less fish being handled for more time than they need to be handled.
May I recommend no fishing in the rivers during their spawn season in March/April and May. That would help a lot I believe.
I hope that we can come to a resolution with all of this and the folks at ASFMC can please see that this is just not the answer to the flawed science.
I am available to speak to anyone that would be willing to reach out.
Thank you for your time!
Captain Skip Jastremski
Stalker Fishing Charters
Cape May NJ
609-972-5218
We have to respond to ASMFC by Dec 10. Comments@asmfc.org

I sympathize and understand where this capt is coming from... However while it would be great for HIM for the seasons to go on as is, he recommends a 3 month closure in the rivers where they spawn... Yeah, I get it but then what about the charter captains/tackle shops/ businesses of other types that depend on the springtime striper runs up the rivers?.. They go broke, while his charter business stays intact. He might have considered that..
LOTS of businesses/charters in the Hudson especially depend on the spring striper run.
Are they any less worthy of survival?. bob

[Lido-Gambler]

Capt Ron. We are with you and all the other for hire boats. Its potentially devastating. -Your comments are spot on.

Chris Lido