Striped bass regulation changes for Maryland

[Finprof]

Although this relates to Maryland and particularly Chesapeake Bay it has implications for New jersey fishing. The article is longer. I just pasted the first few paragraphs.

By the way, during the Summer in the Chesapeake schoolie bass typically run 20-24 inches. A fish over 28 inches in the summer is one in a hundred. The limit is one fish, practically speaking.

Easton Star Democrat, Tuesday
By JOSH BOLLINGER jbollinger@stardem.com | Posted 3 hours ago

EASTON — An Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission board approved an order at the end of October for a reduction in the striped bass harvest, with slightly less of a reduction for Bay fisheries than coastal ones.

For Bay commercial fishermen, the ASMFC ordered a 20.5 percent reduction in 2012 harvest levels, since the fishery was reduced by 14 percent in 2013.

Bay recreational fishermen will also see a 20.5 percent reduction in 2012 harvest levels. It will maintain a two-fish catch, but at a 20-inch minimum, up from 18 inches, and one of the two fish must be above 28 inches.

Coastal commercial fisheries are reduced by 25 percent from 2013 harvest levels. Coastal anglers will see that 25 percent reduction in the form of fish and size limits.

The 25 percent reduction includes Maryland’s trophy season, which runs from about the middle of April until May 15. Anglers will be required to catch a 36-inch fish under those harvest reductions, which is up from 28 inches.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is expected to promulgate the regulations before the start of the 2015 fishery, according to ASMFC