Sea bass and fluke season extension for party boats?

[porgylber]

I know that I’m drifting off into fantasy land here. However, it would be nice if the powers in charge changed the dates for the fluke and sea bass seasons for party boats in NJ. Sadly, it looks like both will miss significant time at the beginning of the season. (At a minimum). Toss them a bone.Open sea bass fishing in August. Extend the fluke season.
Instead of a bone, I expect an anchor. However it would be the decent thing to do.

[Capt John]

Yea, it would be nice. The entire "for hire" (party and charter guys) are going to take a major hit this season. Oh, and along with anything to do with recreational fishing here in NJ.

Very sad, first Superstorm Sandy destroys the coast and now this...which maybe could have been lessened. Boy, you really have to be tough to live in this state.

I feel very bad for my brothers on the water...another kick in the b***s. When will it end?

Extending the Fluke season is the least they could do for ALL the businesses that will be ravaged by this pandemic. Stay safe and be well.

[PortlyRedhead]

Originally Posted by porgylber

I know that I’m drifting off into fantasy land here. However, it would be nice if the powers in charge changed the dates for the fluke and sea bass seasons for party boats in NJ. Sadly, it looks like both will miss significant time at the beginning of the season. (At a minimum). Toss them a bone.Open sea bass fishing in August. Extend the fluke season.
Instead of a bone, I expect an anchor. However it would be the decent thing to do.

Have you written to your NJ elected officials and to the NJ Marine Fisheries Council about this well-considered idea?

Do you have a sample letter that you could share with NJFishing.com members who could also write to their NJ elected officials and appointed regulators?

[shrimpman steve]

Lengthen the season, Bahahahaha
They are gonna tell you you overfished

[Irish Jigger]

We will all be off the water soon enough, only a matter of when!!

[Bigadam119]

I agree that they should give the boats a chance to make up the dates at the end of the year. The biggest issue is that there are typically very little fluke to be caught past the 1st or 2nd week in September.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Well, if Super Storm Sandy is any indication as to how Fisheries Management could affect our fishing season, don't count on any liberalization as a result of the virus. Our regulations after Sandy had not changed one bit in spite of a lot fewer people being able to fish for months right after the storm and even into the following spring as repairs were being made to marinas and boats.

[pectoralfin]

Good idea, but don't forget that many private boat owners have greatly reduced income which put fishing down to the bottom of the list and should have an extended season also. Which leads me to another rant. Having been to the scoping meetings, NMFS, in my opinion, has become a typical stereotype government agency where they will listen to you and then do what they want anyway. Also when you have paid representatives that get paid (40,000$ or so), they are going to "go with the flow" so that they continue to get reappointed and earn their paychecks. I know that there are many more qualified people who would do the same job for much less and do a much better job representing us.

[RBC67]

Wouldn't hold my breath they want us gone IMO

[hammer4reel]

Hopefully this has passed by the time fluke season opens .
Def a different world we live in today .
Hopefully they actually have a vaccine come out to not deal with this at this level again .