Why must people slaughter bass???

[AndyS]

Personally I won't take any bass in the spring, I gained too much respect for these fish when I found them swimming up the Raritan river all the way to Bound Brook. I'll take a few in the fall, just not into taking a fish that is trying to spawn. Limit your kill, don't kill your limit.
Maybe only because I have seen declines in my lifetime, just looking out for the grand kids I guess.

[Ryelof]

Originally Posted by CaptTB

That statement would have some merit if....and I say IF... the circumstances today were the same as they were prior to the "barren 80's" as people call them.

But they are not. Prior to the fall of stripers there were no limits in most cases, and "taking all we can keep" as you say now is NOT the same thing as "taking all you can CATCH" which is what it was in the past. There was no coastal (mostly unless equivalent, more restrictive or Ches. bay) 2 fish @ 28" or greater limit back in the 50s and 60s and 70s, which was part of the reason for the demise of the population at that time.

There was no moratorium on federal waters fisheries in the 50s and 60s and 70s, which was part of the reason for the demise of the population at that time.

There was no law preventing commercial fishing for stripers in several states like there is today, which was part of the reason for the demise of the population at that time.

Comparisons of catching and keeping your legal 2 fish to what went on in the seventies is no comparison at all, the circumstances are VERY different and there are actually rules in place now that did not even exist then.

I disagree. One need look no further (farther?) than Johnny Bucktails' threads about his great fishing to see how many people tried to dogpile on the rabbit because he was killing those poor stripers en masse

If you are trying to say that because this year Ling fishing was slower that there is a problem with the stock I will have to again disagree with you. What about 4-5 years ago when the fishing totally sucked? If that was an indication of the downturn in a stock then why was the winter of 2011/2012 one of the best years of Ling fishing anyone has ever seen?

Having one slow season does not necessarily mean anything other than it was a slow season.

Perhaps the problem is too many people thinking that what they like should be what everyone likes or "else." I did not take that attitude from your post Bob but from others both in this thread and others like Johhny's threads.

Wow, Cap.....haen't you learned your lesson. Stop trying to be logical and make sense. However, good post and well thought out.

[CaptTB]

Originally Posted by Ryelof

Wow, Cap.....haen't you learned your lesson. Stop trying to be logical and make sense.

You are right, I should know better! But I am a glutton for punishment.

[bunker dunker]

Nobody Saved Me Any Buffalo!!!! I'll Take What I Can With In The Law!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

OK - Gave this post more room then I should of. Now closed.