All These Shorts, What Does It Mean

[Dirty Rotten]

I was thinking about the season this year and while there are some keepers being caught it seems the great majority of the fish are in the 24-27 inch range from my own experience and what I've been reading over the season. Does this tell us anything about the state of the Striper population? Is this a Good sign showing so many younger, healthy fish or could it be a lack of larger breeding fish? Is there actually something different this year or is it just my perception? Any thoughts...

[POLAR]

How about the same thing happened to the flounder. Take all the ones over 28 and now there are fewer left!

[killin time]

I was thinking about the season this year and while there are some keepers being caught it seems the great majority of the fish are in the 24-27 inch range from my own experience and what I've been reading over the season. Does this tell us anything about the state of the Striper population? Is this a Good sign showing so many younger, healthy fish or could it be a lack of larger breeding fish? Is there actually something different this year or is it just my perception? Any thoughts...

I really dont think anyone has the answer.....but the last few years have been the same way for me...lots of school fish....every once in a while some nice keepers,down near the bottom jigging,up to 20 lbs....
I believe the bigger fish are not as aggresive as the smaller fish,and will feed slower than the schoolies.
There also seems to be alot of bait around,and it is up and down every beach from cape may to raritan bay,and pinpointing the schools is difficult at times....I have noticed this year,(different from the last few)there are a lot of birds working(gulls,gannets)heavily,on schools of bait,and sometimes I fish thru it without a hookup.....happened yesterday to me twice.
To me,it is all good,I still have a great time,even if I catch a few,or many......its great to be able to fish in december!

[Joseph Lamberty]

[QUOTE=Dirty Rotten]I was thinking about the season this year and while there are some keepers being caught it seems the great majority of the fish are in the 24-27 inch range from my own experience and what I've been reading over the season.

I don t think the Bio mass is in any danger ,.. True the Larger fish seem to be lacking , but Big fish don t get that way by being stupid,..They are there just not as eager to strike Jigs, Bucktail, or any bait presentation that doesn t look natural..like the smaller fish trying to get big.The smaller fish produce far fewer eggs then those BIG COWS, but the smaller fish offer diversity in the gene pool and their eggs are often times more viable,... meaning more of them, hatch & survive.
Liv 2 Fish
Forced 2 Work..

[Captain's John & Diana]

About 15 years ago we caught somewhere around 60 stripers on one trip off Townsend Inlet ( bird play) and almost all were under 28 inches. This was on a cold early December day. What I remember most is some were caught on poppers on the surface which is one of my favorite ways to catch stripers. The really big difference I see now is the Cape May Rips as compared to 10 years ago. We used to limit out with two fish person well over 28 inches on many trips with just plain eels but not sure if that can be done very often any more. We used to slam nice 34-42 inch fish at the far end of Prissy Wick and around Brown Shoals all the time drifting eels. This was long before the bunker chunking thing started in the bay and spots being used on the rips. I only chunk now but am concerned about the amount of bigger breeders taken every fall chunking. I think we should be able to keep more smaller ones under 28 inches and a few trophy fish each year over 38 inches or at least limit the larger fish to one person per day. I think there is way too many stripers killed that are potential breeders every fall and it will have an effect in the future.

[junkmansj]

Last year they were al 22-24",Caught 76 bass last Nov not one keeper!

[candyman]

It means its over...lot of big ones snuck by in October when we thought it was too warm. It might of been too warm for them to be aggressive, but I think they were moving south all the same.

as least this is what I'm telling myself now that I'm out of the ballgame.:o

[Jersey Joe]

Not sure about further south but we have a lack of larger bait to the North. Mainly just sand eels and peanuts right now. Haven't see any herring yet (they are real late this year) So IMO the larger fish probably stayed offshore in their migration where there are larger easier meals. I have heard of several caught on the offshore wrecks as well as them being seen following hooked porgies and sea bass up. Some guys that have seen this say they are the biggest fish they have ever seen. We did have about a week in October where there were a lot of 20-30 pound fish around, but not many guys really chasing them yet. Most were still concentrating on weakies. I have also hear several reports of larger fish still to the North...the question is how close to the coast will they come when they round Long Island. So far at least for us it seems everything is two weeks to a month behind schedule. But with this recent cold weather it may play catch up.

[BUCKTAIL WILLIE]

The Good News is the smaller fish is indication of real good back to back spawning years
The bad news in my opinion is we are taking too many large fish out of the population with current size restrictions
Larger fish produce the most and healthest eggs
I caught my biggest fish this year in late Sept ,early Oct after Oct 10th 90% were under 27"
Someone said larger fish were moving in spite of warm water and they may be right
From what I've heard New England had an excellent summer with most fish over 28" and they stayed longer than usual. Once they decided to leave they probably were moving quickly
Given that Jersey will see fish from several prime spawning areas (Hudson,Delaware,Cheasapeake) and all these spots have had good spawns we may be seeing a pattern change in how Bass migrate
The last year I saw consistent large fish in Nov was 2005
Another possible reason for lack of larger fish inshore could be the detterioration of Barneget Bay waters. An old timer years ago told me that most of the bass we caught inside traveled from a summer in Barneget Bay and they would arrive in Cape May county waters beginning Oct 15th
MAYBE due to water qulaity problems in Barneget that isn't happening,
It is a known fact that clams,scallops and crabs are all down in that area

[netkeeper]

The other night and following day, I caught all keepers during the night on eels and small stuff during the day on jigs and poppers. During the day couldn't buy a fish on the eels during the day. I subscribe to the early comment about the little guys being more active feeders. Go figure....

[Bob ECT]

You have to look at what's caught on the entire coast, not locally or even just off NJ. Saturday the smallest fish I got was 32", Sunday was 80% shorts.

There's plenty of big ones in the ocean. In NC over the winter they don't see many fish under 36"

[LONEWOLF856]

yes, there is alot of shorts being cought, but have you noticed how fat they are? i think this is a very good sign that the overall striped bass stock is growing! and the price we are paying now, (28inch minimum) is going to pay off BIG TIME in the future. just my two cents.

[bgreene]

Big fish.........40lbs and up, may be best to release. Take a couple of good photo's for the record, and then release quickly.

Maybe best to release the big spawners to ensure continuation of the species.

[always fishing]

Way too much pressure on fish over 28inches..... Not to mention most of all the keepers I catch this time of year are filled with row.:(

[Victory At Sea]

The bigger fish are down south (Cape May and further) where the adult bunker are. We have all the small fish up north eating sand eels,peanuts and
anchovy. I think it's that simple.

[Keeper Seeker]

I was thinking about the season this year and while there are some keepers being caught it seems the great majority of the fish are in the 24-27 inch range from my own experience and what I've been reading over the season. Does this tell us anything about the state of the Striper population? Is this a Good sign showing so many younger, healthy fish or could it be a lack of larger breeding fish? Is there actually something different this year or is it just my perception? Any thoughts...


I think as Bob ECT said it is partially where you fish... Partially. As others have said, and I totally agree, that we are taking way to many of the big fish. I realize that it was only Jersey that had the so called slot reg for a couple years but I think it helped the stocks tremendously over those couple years.I think it should be in position for the entire east coast. We all bitch about the pics we see from N.C. in the winter, but right now you can see that right here in Cape May in both the spring and fall. Always fishing also mentioned that all of the big fish he catches this time of year all have roe. They don't produce it on the way up the river in a couple weeks. They are allready preparing to spawn.I believe that some of those big fish in the D Bay are actually staging to winter there to breed in the spring up the river. Why else would they detour from thier southerly migration. I don't have any experience chunking in the Bay, but let me ask those that do this. Do you see schools of adult bunker in the Bay or see the cows actively feeding in the Bay? Why is it that they are found in the sloughs lazing on the bottom and not pushing bait up into shallow water? They are our Delaware River Breeders and they are being hammered at two over 28". Hey I'm not saying that noone should take big fish, but I think that the slot reg we had made a lot of sense and it was a crime when it was repealed. Lets bring it back boys. When the RFA wants to work for everyone, and to that end, with the benifit of the species in mind, and not the sale of boats, and gasoline, and bait, and hotel rooms, then and only then will I support them and join. Sorry for the rant but he asked for any thoughts... Those are mine.

[Wahoo II]

I really dont think anyone has the answer.....but the last few years have been the same way for me...lots of school fish....every once in a while some nice keepers,down near the bottom jigging,up to 20 lbs....
I believe the bigger fish are not as aggresive as the smaller fish,and will feed slower than the schoolies.
There also seems to be alot of bait around,and it is up and down every beach from cape may to raritan bay,and pinpointing the schools is difficult at times....I have noticed this year,(different from the last few)there are a lot of birds working(gulls,gannets)heavily,on schools of bait,and sometimes I fish thru it without a hookup.....happened yesterday to me twice.
To me,it is all good,I still have a great time,even if I catch a few,or many......its great to be able to fish in december!

If you observe the birds diving, there's a good chance they're feeding on bait undisturbed by predators. If they're picking frantically at the surface there's a good reason, get in there. I don't know their name, but this time of year you see a lot of those sea birds that fold their wings back and dive into the sea. Looks good, but unless you're lucky don't waste your time.

[Don C]

I really dont think anyone has the answer.....but the last few years have been the same way for me...lots of school fish....every once in a while some nice keepers,down near the bottom jigging,up to 20 lbs....
I believe the bigger fish are not as aggresive as the smaller fish,and will feed slower than the schoolies.
There also seems to be alot of bait around,and it is up and down every beach from cape may to raritan bay,and pinpointing the schools is difficult at times....I have noticed this year,(different from the last few)there are a lot of birds working(gulls,gannets)heavily,on schools of bait,and sometimes I fish thru it without a hookup.....happened yesterday to me twice.
To me,it is all good,I still have a great time,even if I catch a few,or many......its great to be able to fish in december!

I'm with you brother, as long as I'm catching fish with a keeper thrown in for diner I'm good. I just love being on the water wetting a line.:)

Don C

[no-wake]

I think they're still coming. I keep a log recording dates, water temperature conditions, fish size. Last year at this weekend that just passed we got 50 fish with only 2 keepers. The following weekend we (2 of us) caught 80 fish - ALL keepers. We got them again the following weekend - which put us the week before Christmas. Water temps are a little up this year. I read 47 in the morning 50 by noon Sat & Sun this weekend. We were 44 pretty consistently through December last year and were still at 43 when I pulled Jan 14. I'm looking at this weekend for it to be on - but forecast isn't cooperating with the early peek.

[JoeyZac]

If you observe the birds diving, there's a good chance they're feeding on bait undisturbed by predators. If they're picking frantically at the surface there's a good reason, get in there. I don't know their name, but this time of year you see a lot of those sea birds that fold their wings back and dive into the sea. Looks good, but unless you're lucky don't waste your time.

Gannets....

[Wahoo II]

Gannets....Thanks for

[RyanF]

About 15 years ago we caught somewhere around 60 stripers on one trip off Townsend Inlet ( bird play) and almost all were under 28 inches. This was on a cold early December day. What I remember most is some were caught on poppers on the surface which is one of my favorite ways to catch stripers. The really big difference I see now is the Cape May Rips as compared to 10 years ago. We used to limit out with two fish person well over 28 inches on many trips with just plain eels but not sure if that can be done very often any more. We used to slam nice 34-42 inch fish at the far end of Prissy Wick and around Brown Shoals all the time drifting eels. This was long before the bunker chunking thing started in the bay and spots being used on the rips. I only chunk now but am concerned about the amount of bigger breeders taken every fall chunking. I think we should be able to keep more smaller ones under 28 inches and a few trophy fish each year over 38 inches or at least limit the larger fish to one person per day. I think there is way too many stripers killed that are potential breeders every fall and it will have an effect in the future.

I agree, especially during the spring run. The cows are being raped out there. I dont even want to guess how many 30+ pound fish are killed each run. It is a known fact that larger fish carry more eggs and therefore offer a better opportunity for a larger young of the year survival rate. The smaller bass might be spunkier but they are not really helping the gene pool and they lay much less eggs than a cow.

Now, I dont fish the bay so my chances at 30+ pound fish are a lot less, but I dont know if Id be able to kill two 30-40# bass in one trip, or even over the entire run. Its legal so I understand why people do it but it just seems a little damaging when pictures start to show up all over the place of dead cows and marinas become the burial ground for mounds of large breeder carcasses.

RyanF

[smellinfishy]

All These Shorts, What Does It Mean (http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1268032#post1268032)

It means hoefully alot of keeper sized fish the next few years and many more to come. There are plenty of big fish out there from what I believe,hear, and see.

[aimless]

I agree Steve!!:D

[CaptG]

The regs are arse backwards. With as plentiful as fish under 28" are you should be able to keep atleast 2 under 28" and just one over 28". This will help prevent the overpopulation of juvenille bass which poses the risk of having a shirt load of malnutritioned and stunted fish, while at the same time we'll be better protecting the allready fecund breeders over 28". It's a no brainer, sometimes you have to wonder what our fish regulation makers are thinking!

[BUCKTAIL WILLIE]

CAPT G I could not agree more with you BUT it isn't just the regulators that have helped screw this up,ORGANIZATIONS like JCAA pushed hard for 2 fish over 28" and elimination of the slot:mad:

[Bob ECT]

Check the OI reports, there's plenty of big fish and they're down there earlier then normal this year

[Keeper Seeker]

CAPT G I could not agree more with you BUT it isn't just the regulators that have helped screw this up,ORGANIZATIONS like JCAA pushed hard for 2 fish over 28" and elimination of the slot:mad:


Let's not forget the RFA Willie. They had a major hand in it as well.

[BUCKTAIL WILLIE]

Keeperseeker, as I recall the RFA was pushing for slots in the early stages and than caved when JCAA claimed it had all the Club support from North Jersey
JCAA ran some kind of "poll" asking clubs to vote,given Clubs from North Jersey make up 90% of JCAA those of us in South Jersey got screwed:mad:
RFA was more focused on the national scene at the time AND NJ did not have an operating State chapter

[Kbartler]

got a lota shorts today off oc ( 20 ) but also grabbed a few AT 33 30 29 all 1 hour right before dark after work... great times with my brother who has been busy all season with that "work thing" and yet to get a keeper this year.
thats my input to the question at hand? Good/Bad.....??????:confused::confused::confused:

[Phil trnr]

I think they're still coming. I keep a log recording dates, water temperature conditions, fish size. Last year at this weekend that just passed we got 50 fish with only 2 keepers. The following weekend we (2 of us) caught 80 fish - ALL keepers. We got them again the following weekend - which put us the week before Christmas. Water temps are a little up this year. I read 47 in the morning 50 by noon Sat & Sun this weekend. We were 44 pretty consistently through December last year and were still at 43 when I pulled Jan 14. I'm looking at this weekend for it to be on - but forecast isn't cooperating with the early peek.

Thanks for the info this week looks like it might pan out with the wind out of NE at 20 mhp for sunday!. Thursday they call of a small blow from the NE at 7 mph.

[edhead]

Don't worry about the time they reach NC they will all be netted and no soup for you. :(

[Kbartler]

I am trying to put a pic up , but I just fly planes for a living. I am not the best, at the whole computer thing.


http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/kbartler/lenascamwithfish046.jpg
http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t265/kbartler/lenascamwithfish046.jpg%5B/IMG%5D