[Bart_Man]

The message quoted below was posted on Tidal Fish. An idication of what we have to look forward to this fall...?

_____
From Tom Powers

So we had this ad hoc committee meeting last night. A number of options were discussed basically the two that made it out were

Keep the current no take slot 28-34 all options AND

A. Go to a 1-fish limit for all of December.

B. Go to a 1-fish limit starting Dec. 10th.

And the option that did not get much support that folks here might want to also weigh in on.

C. The last day of the fall bay season is Dec. 24th.

These measures only apply to the Chesapeake Bay the coastal fishery would remain the same season (open until April 1st) and 2 fish at 28 inches.

PLEASE give your opinions on all opitons.

Tom

[Here We Go]

Now you've gone a done it. Gonna get everybody's panties in wad here now

[catfish]

What reasoning is behind this idea that we need to tighten limits on stripers?We now have more stripers in the bay and rivers than i can ever remember.It is easy to catch 20-30 18"-28" stripers.And as far as the larger ones two apiece is severe enough of a restriction.I personally think we could relax the limits by one to two fish.If the limit is reduced to one fish there will be no use to spend the money we spend to go fishing for stripers.Why not address the real problem "commercial fishing pressure"!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hellmanbb]

I think they need to tighten up on the commercial guys especially the menhaden boats and leave the rec guys alone!

[vince chambers]

funny how the people in power are always ready to fight for the path of lest resitance. recreational fishermen put up less of a fight then commercial fishermen do, and get hosed in the process. how many wasted undersized fish do these councel people think just one commercial boat does a day, every day all season long. anybody on here ever go out every day of the season and limit out? it is a sad sad world we live in folks soon we will be begging to be able to keep just one while hundreds go to wast becuase of nets.

[nothingtolose]

My panties are now definitely wadded.

[gamefisher]

I AGREE THE REC FISHERMAN IS GETTING SHORT CHANGED AGAIN. WE NEED TO CUT BACK COMMERCIAL/MENHADEN FISHERMEN!!!!!! 1 FISH WON'T BE ENOUGH
FOR ME TO PULL BOAT FROM MECHANICSVILLE. IF BIG DROP IN REVENUE FROM
US IS NOTICED MAYBE POWERS THAT BE WILLNOTICE!!!!

[FUENTE]

It is sad but the path of lest resitance is the way it all ways goes. It is so sad to see how many fish gets wasted by one netter. Because it's the same way here in NC. Sorry guys but it is a battle.

[Bart_Man]

I hope people are upset.... thats why I put it up here. The more people that are aware of the BS thats going on the better. It seems to me that the ultimate goal is to push Vrginia citizens that enjoy fishing totally out of the water.

[Jason_Schaffler]

I don't disagree that commercials probably waste smaller fish, but what proof does anyone have that they do? Has anyone witnessed this and if so why didn't you report them?

If this one fish limit or more closed seasons goes through it will suck, but I would rather catch a few less fish this year so I will be able to continue to catch fish 10 years from now. Would you rather the striped bass fishery go back to what it was in the early 90s?

[Jbales]

I hope people are upset.... thats why I put it up here.  The more people that are aware of the BS thats going on the better.  It seems to me that the ultimate goal is to push Vrginia citizens that enjoy fishing totally out of the water.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Recreational anglers will not take their time to voice their opinions to those that matter. Florida has banned their gill nets and the fishery is booming. Why is there no mention of this in all of the discussions. Those guys can find another job just like everybody else. But NOOOO! We get to go fishing and cant keep enough to feed our family when we get home after paying for boat, tackle, license and everything else. Soon if you catch a fish you will be an outlaw. I will be damned. Let them catch me if they can!

[mlbowman1]

I hope people are upset.... thats why I put it up here.  The more people that are aware of the BS thats going on the better.  It seems to me that the ultimate goal is to push Vrginia citizens that enjoy fishing totally out of the water.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem is the commercial guys provide more money to the VMRC, therfore have more pull.... Here's a thread from last year, pretty much on the same topic. http://vbsf.ipbhost....wtopic=6607&hl=

[mlbowman1]

I don't disagree that commercials probably waste smaller fish, but what proof does anyone have that they do?  Has anyone witnessed this and if so why didn't you report them?

If this one fish limit or more closed seasons goes through it will suck, but I would rather catch a few less fish this year so I will be able to continue to catch fish 10 years from now.  Would you rather the striped bass fishery go back to what it was in the early 90s?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It has been witnessed and also have had fish washed up all along the shoreline. The person that witnessed it, reported it and the response was this isn't that bad....

[FISHJUNKY]

IT'S ALREADY BAD ,YOU DRIVE AN HOUR AND AHALF
TO GO FISHING JUST TO KEEP 2 FISH AND NOW THEY WANT TO MAKE IT WORST.
HOW ABOUT MAKING THE LIMIT 3 FISH PER PERSON FOR THE MONTH OF DEC.
1-FISH UNDER 28,1-FISH BETWEEN 28-34,AND 1-FISH OVER 34 INCHES.

[FISHJUNKY]

IT'S ALREADY BAD ,YOU DRIVE AN HOUR AND AHALF
TO GO FISHING JUST TO KEEP 2 FISH AND NOW THEY WANT TO MAKE IT WORST.
HOW ABOUT MAKING THE LIMIT 3 FISH PER PERSON FOR THE MONTH OF DEC.
1-FISH UNDER 28,1-FISH BETWEEN 28-34,AND 1-FISH OVER 34 INCHES.

[YoungGun11]

It is my understanding that there is no limit being enforced on the number of fish the menhaden boats take. If that is true its just a matter of time before menhaden are gone from the Chesapeake and with them the Stripers, you can't sap a resoure without limit without and not expect it to disappear eventually.

[VTSEAL]

I agree that it is a tough sell to go to the work of putting a boat in the water, with only hope of a single fish. We ran into the same problem when they introduced the 1 Canada Goose/day hunting limit.

I'd rather see them keep the 2 fish limit, but close down 3 days per week - say monday, wed, fri you can't keep fish for the month of Dec. Granted most recreational fishermen are out there fri/sat/sun, so they trade a day of fishing for the chance to keep 2 fish. Makes the tirp more worthwhile.

[Striperhunter1]

I Think it's about time for ALL of VBSF to stand together on this issue!!!!! Mabey a million fisherman march back in forth in front of the Whitehouse?????!!!! I don't know about some people, But I'm awfully tired of US fisherman (and firsherwomen) with the fishing rods getting hammered with theses harsh regulations!!!!!! We do not even put a dent in any fish population if you ask me!! I say send the killers with the nets to BFE and let them fend for themselves!!! The way I look at it, If you want seafood, grab a pole and some bait... the way the good Lord intended, and catch it yourself!!! Heck if VBSF will come together on this issue, our voice as one can be heard!!! If we can get some kind of protest going, I'm game!!!! Who's with me?????????

Danny

[mystery achievement]

with all of it

[Bart_Man]

Jason, This cr*p they're pulling now is just BS to help the commercial guys out. We already have pretty restrictive regulations... 2 fish per person...slot sizes... 3 mile limit. It seems to me that these regulations have resulted in a thriving striped bass fishery. More restrictive regulations aren't needed. Smaller fish are caught in nets and killed and are part of an allowable "by catch". I don't know how they can arrive at an accurate metric for determining the impact of recreational fisherman. I spend a good amount of time fishing in the bay and off the coast. I have seldom been checked... and I seldom limit out.. The whole process is a political farce....

I wish the average Virginian Sportsman was fairly represented. We are a majority.