Stripers Over the Line - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Billfish715 · #1 11-08-2016, 09:58 PM

In some really "sporty" conditions on Sunday, we found some big stripers. We wanted to stay away from the crowds on the beach so we kept plodding offshore to the 3 mile line where we found bait but not the fish we were looking for. So, we kept going and soon found the birds and the fish. By this time we were well offshore of the line. It didn't matter because we were okay with catch and release. The fish at times were stacked up on top in big patches as they slurped tiny rainfish. It was tough to get on them before they would go down, but when we could, the stripers would take shads or poppers as soon as they hit the water. Several of the schools were so densely packed that they turned the water brown. We chased scattered schools of bass for over an hour in some very rough conditions casting to them with spinning tackle. These were all large fish with our biggest taping out at 42". The steep troughs and building seas had us leave the fish biting and head inshore where we found whales and porpoises harassing schools of bunkers. If anyone is looking for the missing inshore stripers, look offshore and think about fishing for sport and not for supper. My guess is that these fish might just keep heading south just outside the three mile line on their way to Virginia.

shrimpman steve · #2 11-08-2016, 10:58 PM

You may want to be careful. I believe that you can't even target for C&R over the line.

I could be wrong thou

Chrisper4694 · #3 11-08-2016, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrimpman steve

You may want to be careful. I believe that you can't even target for C&R over the line.

I could be wrong thou

This is my understanding as well. Just say you were targeting blues and those pesky stripers kept getting on you!

SaltLife1980 · #4 11-09-2016, 01:33 AM

Dont get what the big deal is about fishing for them over 3 miles out. If you are doing catch and release whats the harm??

Billfish715 · #5 11-09-2016, 01:44 AM

Oops! I just checked on the NOAA site and finally found the federal regulation wording. There is a closed season and possession of striped bass is prohibited. The wording indicates that the regulations for 2016 are:

Unchanged for 2015
Striped Bass *******************
Illegal to fish for or possess in federal waters
*******************

You're right. Those pesky striped bass kept us from catching the bluefish we were after!

Billfish715 · #6 11-09-2016, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltLife1980

Dont get what the big deal is about fishing for them over 3 miles out. If you are doing catch and release whats the harm??

There is no harm but the coast guard (feds.) aren't really in the business of assessing "intent" when it comes to fishing for a prohibited species. They really aren't in the business of checking recreational fishing boats while they are fishing, unless directed by their superiors to do so. They have much more important things to do. Retaining one of those stripers is where the line should be drawn between what is legal and what is illegal.

On another note, those same fish will be targeted by the commercial netters off North Carolina and Virginia when they come inshore. Just saying!

chrislars · #7 11-09-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltLife1980

Dont get what the big deal is about fishing for them over 3 miles out. If you are doing catch and release whats the harm??

The harm could come in potential gut hooks, or stress to the fish. We all know they are pretty hardy and usually swim away, but there is always a chance of killing a fish by accident :-/

Oceanroamer · #8 11-09-2016, 10:56 AM

Just curious...What is the fine for a bass over the line since it's federal. I have asked and called the Coast Guard and they just send you to extension after extension and say, "Don't do it." It's kind of embarressing that they don't know what their fines are. I wanted to know in large part to settle a bet. It's not something I do.

And how do they fine you if you have none in your cooler. How do they know intent.

I would like to know more details that's all.

capt richie · #9 11-09-2016, 12:20 PM

He was looking for bluefish and bass ate his shads.....go trump

capt richie · #10 11-09-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceanroamer

just curious...what is the fine for a bass over the line since it's federal. I have asked and called the coast guard and they just send you to extension after extension and say, "don't do it." it's kind of embarressing that they don't know what their fines are. I wanted to know in large part to settle a bet. It's not something i do.

And how do they fine you if you have none in your cooler. How do they know intent.

I would like to know more details that's all.

100$ a fish dont ask me how i know lol