|
Post by hookedup on May 6, 2019 14:22:06 GMT -5
It will be good when those making the regulations move from reactive to proactive. It seems to me it has to be a crisis before they take action and then it is dramatic and sweeping. For example, Striper was obviously on the decline in the Chesapeake Bay area, but nothing was done. Had the regulations moved to a slot season years ago so the big striper could spawn, we'd probably all still be fishing for striper.
It would also be good if they'd see the big picture: Recreational fishing, commercial fishing, gill nets and what growing fish need to eat to survive. Seems the regulations rarely take it all into account. For years now the menhaden taken out of Chesapeake Bay have been less and less - not due to regulations, but because there are less menhaden to catch. Since menhaden are a food to striper and other fish the loss of menhaden impacts other fish. They'll tell you they've lowered the menhaden quota, but what good is that if Omega can't even catch the quota? I guess when it gets to where the money you make off menhaden is less than what it costs to catch them, menhaden will get a chance to recover. Maybe then we'll see a resurgence of multiple fish types in the Bay.
|
|
|
Post by finatic on May 6, 2019 19:48:06 GMT -5
What I see in Long Island Sound is strange, there are huge pods of menhaden, or we call them bunker. But no fish feeding on them. Going back 3 or 4 years you couldn't get them into the boat without them being chomped into two. I hope things get better this year.
|
|
|
Post by Twisted on May 7, 2019 8:05:27 GMT -5
The other thing Massachusetts is requiring in 2020 is the use of circle hooks when using bait for fishing (good luck enforcing that...). I've used circle hooks for years so I have no issue with it but some of the manly men up this way have their panties in a bunch and swear they will just keep using treble hooks and won't crush their barbs just for good measure. That is terrific, I hope they are happy when the powers that be close the fishery all together...
|
|
|
Post by finatic on May 7, 2019 18:32:37 GMT -5
In my opinion treble hooks should be banned. You got to be a real a****** to use them, for anything else but trying to snag a few Bait fish to chunk with. I switched to circle hooks years ago and won't use anything other than them the hookup ratio is much higher in my opinion. And 95% of the time to hook is buried in the corner of the jaw making release much easier on the fish.
|
|
|
Post by ragtop409 on May 8, 2019 21:26:47 GMT -5
The law has been Circle hooks for reef fish for years down here in Florida. I only use J hooks for my flat lines. Rag’s
|
|
|
Post by kbh on May 9, 2019 6:40:19 GMT -5
The law has been Circle hooks for reef fish for years down here in Florida. I only use J hooks for my flat lines. Rag’s But only on the Gulf side of Florida. They haven't changed on the Atlantic side yet.
|
|
|
Post by ragtop409 on May 9, 2019 21:03:50 GMT -5
The law has been Circle hooks for reef fish for years down here in Florida. I only use J hooks for my flat lines. Rag’s But only on the Gulf side of Florida. They haven't changed on the Atlantic side yet. That is crazy that the to sides are different, but not a big surprise with NOAA or FWC. Rag’s
|
|
|
Post by Ol Mucky on May 10, 2019 8:13:42 GMT -5
Could you imagine being on a wreck in the gulf and fwc rolls up and checks your bottom rig?
|
|
|
Post by hookedup on May 10, 2019 8:46:33 GMT -5
In the last 20 years I've never had anyone but Virginia Marine Science check my catch, much less my hooks. Virginia Marine Science does checking for catch statistics and not for legal reasons. The boatel I've moved to has Virginia Marine Police docked there and I understand people there have had their catch looked at to make sure it's within legal limits.
I've been stopped by the Coast Guard multiple times per year, but they don't care about the fish or any state laws, only federal.
I do know in tournaments they do checks and polygraph winners to make sure that the regulations, including hook requirements, are met.
|
|