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I've heard once or twice that due to the striped bass regulations re: cutting up fish not being allowed that people think that bleeding the fish out by cutting or removing their gills was not legal. It came up in one of the ikejime discussions again recently so I emailed dnr to try to get an answer from them in writing, both to help clarify for us here and as a point of reference should I be questioned on the water. I'd be happy to forward the email to anyone just pm me your email address, however here is the text of my inquiry:
i am hoping to clarify a debate and ensure my friends and i are following the regulations accordingly, regarding striped bass, thanks in advance for any clarity you may be able to bring to this issue. The question is (within season, licenced recreational fisherman etc. and after verifying the fish is of legal length to keep), is any sort of cutting of the gills or body of the fish (but not removing any part/ filleting) with the intent to bled out the fish to improve the meat legal? the debate over this is because of the wording of the online regulations where it states "It is Illegal:To possess any cut up or filleted striped bass at any time aboard any boat on the tidal waters of Maryland. Striped bass must be landed whole." does cutting the gills or making a cut near the fish's tail without removing anything count as "cut up" or is that wording to ensure all fish remain whole in order to verify legal size, but making a cut on the fish is ok?
secondarily, IF the above is legal, would tearing out or removing part/all of the gills also be legal, (again to bleed out the fish) or is this a step too far?
thanks again -Justin Van Denend
And the reply here:
Hello Justin, yes it is legal to cut or remove the gills of a striped bass in your possession while out on the water. The intent of the no fillet or cutting up of striped bass is so someone could not hide the length of the fish.
Keith Lockwood
Fisheries Biologist
Fisheries and Boating Services
Department of Natural Resources
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
904 South Morris St.
Oxford, MD 21654
443-258-6077 (office)
keith.lockwood@maryland.gov
While we did not fully discuss ikejime practices of a cut near the tail or wire in the spine, it would stand to reason from the reply that they are fine too as the length of the fish is not changed. Hopefully this is helpful to anyone that was wondering about this topic.
i am hoping to clarify a debate and ensure my friends and i are following the regulations accordingly, regarding striped bass, thanks in advance for any clarity you may be able to bring to this issue. The question is (within season, licenced recreational fisherman etc. and after verifying the fish is of legal length to keep), is any sort of cutting of the gills or body of the fish (but not removing any part/ filleting) with the intent to bled out the fish to improve the meat legal? the debate over this is because of the wording of the online regulations where it states "It is Illegal:To possess any cut up or filleted striped bass at any time aboard any boat on the tidal waters of Maryland. Striped bass must be landed whole." does cutting the gills or making a cut near the fish's tail without removing anything count as "cut up" or is that wording to ensure all fish remain whole in order to verify legal size, but making a cut on the fish is ok?
secondarily, IF the above is legal, would tearing out or removing part/all of the gills also be legal, (again to bleed out the fish) or is this a step too far?
thanks again -Justin Van Denend
And the reply here:
Hello Justin, yes it is legal to cut or remove the gills of a striped bass in your possession while out on the water. The intent of the no fillet or cutting up of striped bass is so someone could not hide the length of the fish.
Keith Lockwood
Fisheries Biologist
Fisheries and Boating Services
Department of Natural Resources
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
904 South Morris St.
Oxford, MD 21654
443-258-6077 (office)
keith.lockwood@maryland.gov
While we did not fully discuss ikejime practices of a cut near the tail or wire in the spine, it would stand to reason from the reply that they are fine too as the length of the fish is not changed. Hopefully this is helpful to anyone that was wondering about this topic.