Latest Striped Bass Options 1-4

[Yak Fish]

Here are the 4 current options on the table for this year's striped bass regulations. These are all "conservation equivalency" proposals, and NOT on the table is the most commonsense option recommended by the Atlantic States Marine Fishery Commission. CE is code for looking for fuzzy math to take reductions on paper that don't occur in reality.
For example, they are still going after the very low impact spring catch and release, where they'll apply a 9% mortality rather than the much lower mortality that their own studies suggest....this gets them a larger reduction on paper than occurs in reality. We want real reductions, and many of us feel these options won't even get us close. I've made notes in several other areas on this graphic, but let us know what you think as far as these options are concerned.

There is a public meeting tomorrow, Jan 9th at 6PM, where you can voice your concerns. Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401

If you can't make it, PLEASE send your comments to: fisheriespubliccomment.dnr@maryland.gov

I have a big problem with DNR favoring certain businesses over others. We, recreational anglers, are a $440,000,000 economic impact in Maryland alone and are treated like second class citizens because we don't have a large unified voice. The secretary of DNR comes from a family of waterman, so no surprise how things have erred on anti conservation and pro harvest.

DNR Options.jpg

[Yak Fish]

Eh, I can't figure out how to make the image large enough to read. I'll have the same post on my fishing page tomorrow where you'll be able to see it if you'd like: https://www.facebook.com/chesapeake.kayak.trolling/

[moc]

Here you go Alan. This one should be larger to read.
MD Proposed Striped Bass Regs 2020.jpg

[ronaultmtd]

I have commented on line to the proposed regulations and urge all our Snaggedliners to do the same- we have a stake in the outcome...

[Yak Fish]

Thanks MOC and Ron!

[Slobber Bob]

nevermind. I was able to see Moc's blown up graphic and answer my own question.

[Slobber Bob]

Is the option to mirror VA's bay regulations been discussed?

I like the VA slot size limit and no harvest between June 15 - October 4 in the bay. I'm pretty sure you can still target them in the closed summer season, but when you can't keep a fish to bring home that discourages a lot of anglers from targeting them altogether. In theory, it reduces harvest and C&R mortality at the same time.

[Yak Fish]

Is the option to mirror VA's bay regulations been discussed?

I like the VA slot size limit and no harvest between June 15 - October 4 in the bay. I'm pretty sure you can still target them in the closed summer season, but when you can't keep a fish to bring home that discourages a lot of anglers from targeting them altogether. In theory, it reduces harvest and C&R mortality at the same time.

Only options 1-4 are under consideration, and it sounds like Option 4 will be selected based on what I heard from the meeting last night. Surprise surprise. Rec anglers take all of the hit. It was very obvious how this would fall out.

[nhunter344]

I don't wish harm or misfortune on people, but at the same time, its going to be REALLY hard to feel sorry for all the out of work charter captains when they fish themselves into joblessness.

It all seems so backwards to me. In times past before we became an largely educated society, things like this were understandable. In modern times, its infuriating that we absolutely know what will happen and just bury our heads in the sand so that we can continue an obsolete (although I believe a more current term would be unsustainable) way of life.

[chex]

Sent an email to DNR.
Thanks for caring. I wish more people did...

[mchottie]

Talked with Walleye Pete Monday night.

He is so glad he sold/folded his Charter business a few years ago when he saw this on the horizon. Offloaded all his gear, etc.

Now he runs strictly LTJ C&R unless specifically otherwise. His sentiments towards DNR echo Alan's almost verbatim.

[J.A. Veil]

Talked with Walleye Pete Monday night.

He is so glad he sold/folded his Charter business a few years ago when he saw this on the horizon. Offloaded all his gear, etc.

Now he runs strictly LTJ C&R unless specifically otherwise. His sentiments towards DNR echo Alan's almost verbatim.

Michael - I am not sure that you correctly characterized what Pete did a few years ago. Let me clarify the situation. He held a commercial fishing license for many years and could supplement his fishing charters by legally catching and selling stripers. He realized that changes/restrictions were on the horizon, plus his charter business kept growing. He sold the commercial fishing license a few years ago. Unless he told you something different, he did not sell and is not planning to sell his fishing charter business. He is relocating the fishing charter business to the Gulf Coast of Florida for March and April this year, then will return to the Chesapeake after that.