Atlantic Star and Capt Tom?????

[dales529]

Originally Posted by Duffman

Just sux if Capt Tom calls it.

I’m an old effer who remembers when AHMH was a bustling harbor. What was there ? 8-9 boats at time there?

Now 3 left. Magic hours, Nite Blues, Winter flounder trips in March. Ooff this sux.

Yep SUX / 3 left.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by dales529

Yep SUX / 3 left.

I find that unbelievable. Can’t tell me it’s the regs that are putting an end to the fleet. Just less participation as a whole. But not being in the business I may be completely wrong.

Seems like Capts who have been in the business don’t have family or friends following up to continue the business. Again, I can be completely wrong, just an observation.

[dales529]

Originally Posted by Duffman

I find that unbelievable. Can’t tell me it’s the regs that are putting an end to the fleet. Just less participation as a whole. But not being in the business I may be completely wrong.

Seems like Capts who have been in the business don’t have family or friends following up to continue the business. Again, I can be completely wrong, just an observation.

Yeah Duff,
Have to agree as to not knowing not being in the business but think you are right that the cell phone generation is not carrying on the legacy.
Also the regs impact contributes to the participation of those that meat fish vs those that want a day off in the saltlife. Sad either way. See ya soon on the water!

[Broad Bill]

Open your eyes. Winter flounder, summer flounder, ling, whiting, cod, mackerel, porgies, sea bass, blackfish, stripers, bluefish, weakfish all without limits. Multiple fisheries for every season without possession limits and every stock was healthy and robust for years. Department of Commerce, NOAA and the powers to be realized some time ago the ocean is an endless supply of wealth for them to exploit and that's exactly what's been happening for decades. If you can't see it your blind. Combine that with insane operating costs to run a small business today and an industry which went from being virtually unregulated to overly regulated, I'm surprised there's still three boats in the Highlands. But as you very eloquently pointed out, no one wants to hear the truth on this site.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Duffman

I find that unbelievable. Can’t tell me it’s the regs that are putting an end to the fleet. Just less participation as a whole. But not being in the business I may be completely wrong.

Seems like Capts who have been in the business don’t have family or friends following up to continue the business. Again, I can be completely wrong, just an observation.

I think it's both... The regs certainly don't help and there's a lot of easier ways to make a living without the daily grind of having to get up at o dark thirty and getting your hands dirty these days. Not for me but I certainly respect and appreciate those who do. Sadly it seems like they're more people getting out of it then into it.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Duffman

I find that unbelievable. Can’t tell me it’s the regs that are putting an end to the fleet. Just less participation as a whole. But not being in the business I may be completely wrong.

Seems like Capts who have been in the business don’t have family or friends following up to continue the business. Again, I can be completely wrong, just an observation.

Google , 2007 Nj marine summary card .
Then 2023 Nj marine summary card and tell me it’s not the regs .

You could keep over twice as many fish on a 40 dollar trip compared to current regs on a 90 dollar trip .

Many who used to just go out for a fun change of pace aren’t going to pay over 100 bucks with tip and travel to keep 3 fish .

Sea bass trips seem to still draw a crowd , because guys are taking home a nice bag of fillets .


Now it’s mistly the same hardcore fisherman that you see on the boats , and those numbers are dwindling fast as we all grow older .

.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

Google , 2007 Nj marine summary card .
Then 2023 Nj marine summary card and tell me it’s not the regs .

You could keep over twice as many fish on a 40 dollar trip compared to current regs on a 90 dollar trip .

Many who used to just go out for a fun change of pace aren’t going to pay over 100 bucks with tip and travel to keep 3 fish .

Sea bass trips seem to still draw a crowd , because guys are taking home a nice bag of fillets .


Now it’s mistly the same hardcore fisherman that you see on the boats , and those numbers are dwindling fast as we all grow older .

.

I get it…..peeps want stuff to take home after all the time and money spent. But it’s not everyone. I’ve posted here a million times before. My son and his bud have fished with me since they were 5 and now are 22. They couldn’t care less about keepers and regs. They just love fishing.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Duffman

I get it…..peeps want stuff to take home after all the time and money spent. But it’s not everyone. I’ve posted here a million times before. My son and his bud have fished with me since they were 5 and now are 22. They couldn’t care less about keepers and regs. They just love fishing.

My grandson is the same except when it comes to crabbing.. I do however think there are still a lot of people who want at least the possibility of catching something for the table and this is especially true for the people considering going out on a charter or party boat. I say that because I think the expectation is a little different when you're paying out of pocket for someone to put you on the fish.

Having said all this, there certainly are a lot more people coming of age these days who don't keep anything but love to fish. I do however feel there are a lot fewer getting into fishing than there were in our generation.

I don't like being doom and gloom here but I'm saddened by all the things working against our favorite pass time and how many kids will miss out on the opportunities we had... It's not all about the meat either. It's about all the other things that go along with it like fresh air, relaxation, shared in person experiences and the priceless friendships.

[bulletbob]

here's the really weird thing, and it illustrates the problem.. Too much exploitation by those that fish salt water for the market...
If I am a good enough fisherman, on fresh water thats really productive, I can bring home to eat each day-

5 walleyes
5 Pike or Pickerel
5 Trout
5 LM or SM Bass
25 Crappies
25 Sunfish
50 Yellow Perch
25 eels
as many catfish carp, white perch, rock bass, bullheads suckers as I can possibly carry... Everything is flip flopped, because people want to eat salt water fish, and will pay just about any price to get it... This is an extreme example, and of course I'm being silly, but the fact remains.. These days, i can legally take a LOT more fish out of a small fresh water lake than I can out of the atlantic ocean... bob

[RAMMFISH66]

I haven't been on a head boat for almost two years due to the cost and the limits...can no longer affords my favorite pastime!!!!
Will probably start to sell off my collection of old Penn spinners and conventional reels this season...It will hurt but life goes on!!!!