Fluke Options Poll

[mako28]

I believe the best for rec. fisherman is option #2. However it's disturbing to see how some people are voting for a lesser bag limit. Do they realize that you won't
get those fish back. Do they realize that a less bag limit is going to hurt the party boat industry that is already weak. Obviously the people that are voting for a lesser bag/size limit are fishing from a small boat, land or have no boat.
My recommendation to those for a smaller bag/size limit is to get a bigger boat
and fish where the 18" fish live. For those who fish off land, hop on a charter or party boat.

[arat]

Originally Posted by mako28

I believe the best for rec. fisherman is option #2. However it's disturbing to see how some people are voting for a lesser bag limit. Do they realize that you won't
get those fish back. Do they realize that a less bag limit is going to hurt the party boat industry that is already weak. Obviously the people that are voting for a lesser bag/size limit are fishing from a small boat, land or have no boat.
My recommendation to those for a smaller bag/size limit is to get a bigger boat
and fish where the 18" fish live. For those who fish off land, hop on a charter or party boat.

I really don't think it matters to the party boat industry in terms of bag limit.
because really how many people go on a party and limit out with 8 fluke??? sharpies do but other then that the vast majority don't even get close.

I think that the boat themselves would welcome a little shorter size limit in hopes that every customer will then get atleast a few fish to take home. then you will more repeat customers and guys coming out more often because they have faith that they will get some fillets for the table.

And who are to tell someone that its tough if they have a little boat or fish off land "go on a party/charter boat." maybe those guys can't afford a bigger boat or a party boat but once a month. fishing is getting to be a very expensive sport and with gas on the rise who knows what we will get to in the summer. between toll hikes gas prices ramp prices bait prices and a plethora of other expenses and lack of income Its a wonder that so many people can still afford to fish

[mako28]

And who are to tell someone that its tough if they have a little boat or fish off land "go on a party/charter boat." maybe those guys can't afford a bigger boat or a party boat but once a month. fishing is getting to be a very expensive sport and with gas on the rise who knows what we will get to in the summer. between toll hikes gas prices ramp prices bait prices and a plethora of other expenses and lack of income Its a wonder that so many people can still afford to fish[/QUOTE]

When you spend upwards of 10k to prepare to fish for a season like I do, and some others, I don't need a person who may fish off a dock with a 5 buck bag of spearing saying "I can't catch an 18" fluke, lower the size".

[Tony Cav]

Originally Posted by mako28

I believe the best for rec. fisherman is option #2. However it's disturbing to see how some people are voting for a lesser bag limit. Do they realize that you won't
get those fish back. Do they realize that a less bag limit is going to hurt the party boat industry that is already weak. Obviously the people that are voting for a lesser bag/size limit are fishing from a small boat, land or have no boat.
My recommendation to those for a smaller bag/size limit is to get a bigger boat
and fish where the 18" fish live. For those who fish off land, hop on a charter or party boat.

Uh......arent we getting more fish this year than last? Isent that the point of the change in the regs? Just asking.

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by mako28

My recommendation to those for a smaller bag/size limit is to get a bigger boat
and fish where the 18" fish live. For those who fish off land, hop on a charter or party boat.

Thank you for telling me what I should do.

[mako28]

Originally Posted by Skolmann

Thank you for telling me what I should do.

Skolmann, I'm not telling anyone what to do just making a suggestion.

[Irish Jigger]

With so many fish at 17.5 last year and in previous years science would say 18" will be plentiful! Lol

[arat]

mako 28 i tell ya what then you give me some money to go on party boat or charter boat more often and I gladly will. until then don't make suggestions that include spending money that they may not have. you do awesome many others are not nearly as lucky.

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by mako28

Skolmann, I'm not telling anyone what to do just making a suggestion.

And I suggest you stay out of my finances by saying how, where, with whom and how much I care to spend on fishing.

[reason162]

The 17.5" crowd are recalling all the 17.999999999" fish they had to throw back last year, while forgetting all the obviously short and obviously keeper fish. It's a logical flaw to think that as the season progresses and fishing pressure ramps up, 0.5" is going to make a dramatic difference in the number of kept fish.

A lower bag limit, however, do compromise a fluke angler who goes out 2-3 times a week for the entire season...getting skunked on occasion and limiting out on other occasions. Yes I catch and keep my fair share of fluke, and I put a lot of time/effort/$$$ into fishing for this species. Why should the regulations favor the 3-4 trip guys over 30-40 trip guys? Last season I spent over $3000 on party boat fares/tips/pools chasing after fluke alone.