when does striper season open in the bay and in the Rappahanock river? In spring 2005?

May 16 - June 15 You can keep 2 Fish between 18 and 28 inches one fish can be over 28

http://www.mrc.state.va.us/swrecfishingrules.htm

You may want to check that, I believe that one fish can be over 32", a trophy fish, and you have to report it to the state. After they reach a limit of 30,000 fish, the trophy portion will be closed and it will only be 2 fish between 18-28".

4 VAC-20-252-80. BAY SPRING/SUMMER STRIPED BASS RECREATIONAL FISHERY.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring/Summer Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 16 through June 15 inclusive.

B. The area open for this fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

C. The minimum size limit for this fishery shall be 18 inches total length, and the maximum size limit for this fishery shall be 28 inches total length, except as provided in subsection E of this section.

D. The possession limit for this fishery shall be two fish per person.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass, 32 inches or greater which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G and H of 4 VAC 20-252-60.

4 VAC-20-252-60. BAY AND COASTAL SPRING TROPHY-SIZE STRIPED BASS RECREATIONAL FISHERIES.

A. The open season for the Bay Spring Trophy-size Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 1 through June 15, inclusive; provided, however, the season may be adjusted as set forth in subsection G of this section.

B. The area open for the Bay Spring Trophy-size fishery shall be the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, except the spawning reaches of the James, Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Rappahannock Rivers.

C. The open season for the Coastal Spring Trophy-size Striped Bass Recreational Fishery shall be May 1 through May 15, inclusive; provided, however, the season may be adjusted as set forth in subsection G of this section.

D. The area open for the Coastal Spring Trophy-size Striped Bass Recreational Fishery is the Coastal area as described in 4 VAC-20-252-20.

E. The minimum size limit for the fisheries described in this section shall be 32 inches total length.

F. The possession limit for the fisheries described in this section shall be one fish per person.

G. The Bay and Coastal Spring Trophy-size fisheries, combined with the fishery defined by 4 VAC 20-252-70, shall have a target take of 30,000 total fish coming from both the Virginia and Maryland portions of the Chesapeake Bay and any tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, and includes the area under the jurisdiction of the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. The season for this fishery shall be closed when it is determined that this total target has been reached.

H. Persons engaging in the Bay and Coastal fisheries shall report the retention of any striped bass to the Commission. Filing the report shall be the responsibility of the person retaining the striped bass, or, in the case of any charter boat or vessel, the captain of the charter boat or vessel. These reports are due 15 days after the close of this fishery and shall be on forms provided by the Commission. There will be separate forms for persons and for charter boats or vessels.

i.e. For the Chesapeake Bay in the spring, its 1 fish 32+ from May 1 to May 15. Then May 16-June 15 it allows 2 fish 18-28 or 1 fish 18-28 and 1 fish 32+.

. It says Virginia Trophy season May 1 - June 15 it includes the Bay and the Ocean.The fish must be a min.of 32''. The limit is 1 fish per person.Chesapeake Bay season is May 16 - June 15 with a limit of 2 fish between 18'' and 28'' One fish can be over 28.

Maybe I am reading this wrong but section E of the spring/summer bay regulation states that one fish can be over 32" and reported as a trophy fish. No where in the regulation does it mention anything about keeping one fish over 28" for the spring/summer bay season.

E. The possession limit described in subsection D of this section may consist of one trophy-size striped bass, 32 inches or greater which is subject to the provisions of subsections A, B, E, F, G and H of 4 VAC 20-252-60.

Virginia trophy season and ches.bay spring season are two different seasons that overlap for 15 days . They have different size limits.Trophy season is one fish 32'' or larger.CB spring season is 18' to 28 with a two fish limit and one can be over 28.Go to the 2005 VMRC Striper regulations and read the small print.

http://www.mrc.state.va.us/swrecfishingrules.htm

I understand that they are two different seasons but I am going by what is listed. Here is a copy of what is listed on their website and the small print says 1 of the two fish can be over 32" and requires a catch report. During the Fall Season you can keep one over 28" per person.

Chesapeake Bay Spring Season .................................................May 16 through June 15
........................................Minimum Size Limit.............................................. 18 inches
........................................Maximum Size Limit * ......................................... 28 inches
........................................Possession Limit.................................................. 2 per person

* 1 fish of the 2 fish possession limit may be larger than 32 inches ( catch report required if striped bass 32" or greater is kept ); No possession of 32" or greater striped bass in the Spawning Reaches May 1 through June 15.

You are correct about one fish being over 32 inches it looks like from may 1 to 15 you may only keep one fish.I am taking this info straight off the VMRC website 2005 regulations .You have a minimum of 18 and a max. of 28 with one fish able to be larger.they should just say "'One fish must be between 18 and 28 the other fish must be over 18 inches with no max.You almost need a Lawyer to fish these days.

You need a lawyer to do anything these days. Can't even take a crap......

Soon we'll need a lawyer channel on the VHF so we can check if we are within the regulations.

Ok...lets add a twist to this. Suppose we head to MD waters and land Stripers during the MD striper season. Can I bring these fish back to my Va. port? Does it matter if Striper is out/in season in Va.?

Va. and Md. honor each others fishing liscense.The Striper regulations may vary some from State to State but Striper are also Federally protected fish so I would have to say no you couldnt do that.The seasons are probablly the same anyway.I would guess that bag limits and size limits might differ somewhat.

The Maryland Ocean Striped Bass season is open all year long 2 fish per person per day over 28''.Here is another Question for the Lawyers. Can you gaff a Striper in NC and then bring it back into Va. waters and would it Viod any records or Citations.

Man what happened to the good ole days when you got your cane pole, some worms and went down to the lake with no worries?

We grew up,Moved out, got jobs,had kids, got older and desired stronger pullage.

I have a quick question when do the stripers return to the hrbt ? I just cant wait to return to the night scene.