Ran into DNR today

[CHOC]

Deleted. Thanks!

[CaptCHawk]

Wonder if they'd have looked the other way if they weren't in search mode. Striper C&R closed 3/31, back during the moratorium if it even smelled like you were striper fishing they'd write you up no matter what you said you were after.

[mike o]

I heard the DNR were writing some tickets for shad fishermen at Susquehanna. I did fish there Saturday (fishing was very slow) and saw a Dnr guy but he was nice and left me alone. I guess it depends on which guy you see.

[CHOC]

Let me clarify a few things.

1) I have a moral issue with DNR's regs. I think they punish the rec fisherman and pad the purses or the commercial guys.
2) I fish this time of year because I catch and release ONLY for stripers. I've caught over 300 over the past two seasons and released every one.
3) I do not encourage others to take my stance or beliefs.
4) By protesting the DNR regs, I am taking better care of the fishery than those that are following them. The mortality rate is less than 5% right now. During the "legal" months, it can be as high as 75%.
5) I'm not "bragging" about "getting away with it" as was accused on another forum. I simply wanted to share that the DNR did not seem to be overly concerned about me fishing. They were quite pleasant.

[Big Mike]

You’re morally opposed to protecting rockfish through regulation so you choose to fish for them to show the “man” he’s wrong. Please tell us how you fishing out of season will change a regulation. So you released 300 fish, any idea if all 300 made it? No, because you can’t. What you’re doing is called poaching, you can call it a protest, a stance, a whatever but you’re a poacher.
Please take the time to reassess your values as a sportsman.

[rugbyfish]

I’m with Mike on this one. Whether you agree with the rule or not is irrelevant. You are obligated to comply. There are plenty of other great fish to target in the bay this time of year. Let’s all do our part to preserve the fishery we love.

[ronaultmtd]

The last week of March, I launched on a real exploration search for speckled trout in the southern most part of St Mary’s County where I have caught two Maryland citation speckled trout...not targeting stripers...caught several Stripers and quit fishing because I was catching stripers..not judging..that is just me...and last year I did not harvest a single striped bass...no regulation required my behavior...it was my choice...I am deliberately fishing for catfish, crappie, put and take rainbow trout as other forms of fishing...April 1st DNR regs are explicit about striped bass...I obey the rules...they are the law.

[CHOC]

Went on a 43 mile trip today targeting specks. Message received.