Man-O-Man......Big Stripers.....OI

[striper2278]

http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/736image1%2D28%2D02%2D09%2D04r%2Ejpg

Some really big stripers down south this winter...I hope see to some of them here this spring!

[Brian E. Mullaney]

WE NEED TO SEND HIPKVW DOWN TO TEACH THEM CATCH & RELEASE ;)

[seadated]

The guys fish in the yellow bibbs is a slob!!!

I hope I get to the 40# club this year, heel maybe the 50# LOL

The is the closest thing to the 40 Club,
My personal best 38.5#
http://www.coastalsportfishing.com/images/capt_phil_1.jpg

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by seadated:
The guys fish in the yellow bibbs is a slob!!!

Geeze :rolleyes: Wouldn't ya think the 13 other bass laying on the deck :rolleyes: would be enough for the freezer :rolleyes: Don't ya think the "Slob" should have been...ah nevermind!

[eelball]

I'm sickened. Ron I agree, how much fish can you eat! Just because they set a limit doesn't mean you have to max out on it. I know I don't know the whole story behind the picture, but I'm guessing This wasn't a rare trip for these guys. One nice size bass will feed four people, What do they have an army to feed? A village? WHY?

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by eelball:
I'm sickened. Ron I agree, how much fish can you eat! Or a better question~ How much fish can ya stuff in your freezer? :rolleyes:

I don't have a problem with people taking their fair share. I just hate to see "slobs" like that killed for the table when there obviously are so many other smaller, better tasting fish to choose from.

Truth is Eelball, anglers are forever going to keep their God given alotment of fish. It's a fact of life that we all have to learn to live with. My only hope is that more people will realize how precious striped bass are. How long it takes for them to grow to that size. How good it feels to release one and watch it swim away and what life would be like without'em.

[eelball]

I understand, I also know how tough it can be to release one first hand. You get mezmorized by the size of it and want to show it off, but hey, that's what camera's are for.

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by eelball:
I understand, I also know how tough it can be to release one first hand. You get mezmorized by the size of it and want to show it off, but hey, that's what camera's are for. Yep, You're absolutly right!

I remember those days well. I wanted nothing more then to be the guy back at the dock who caught the biggest bass that day. Camera...please! We didn't need no stinking camera! That's what our coolers were for :rolleyes:

The good news is, like a lot of the people I fish with, I have "seen the light" and now those big girls get gently placed back in the water asap. Nothing makes me happier then a big old tail whip / splash in the face after a quick release:D

It's a feeling we all should experience at least once in our lives smile.gif

[ 02-14-2004, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[hipkvw]

Spread the word guys because this happens in our backyard every spring and fall. It is disgusting that so little people have no clue that they are lessening the chances of HUGE bass making more HUGE bass! How can a fish grow to be 50 or 60 pounds if it is taken at 30 and 40. I am sick of people saying its for the meat; MANY people fish enough that there is ABSOLUTLY no need to take the 2 biggest fish you can. It is to be the HERO fisherman. I dont give a crap how many skunk reports you post or how many 30 pounders you released to keep a 40 pounder....you want to take home the biggest to brag. I cant even imagine how many people throw back dead fish to keep bigger ones. I know a few J/Os that admitted they do that. Culling is disgusting. All these excuses to keep a LARGE.... What a cop out redface.gif I fish the backwater and USED to keep my limit. My family ate fish once a week and we had so much I would give fish to family and freinds! I am talking 30 inch fish NOT 30 pounders! Meanwhile, chunking accounts for MANY gut hooked fish buy letting them "run" or using J hooks. So add all the cows killed on top of the cows taken. I used circle hooks and have gut hooked a few and I dont let them run nor do I bait fish that much, so I cant imagine the amount of 20-30 pounders killed to keep a 35 pounder :rolleyes: I think the population of School fish ...10-25 pounds are doing great but the LARGE fish could use a helping hand. Dont say they are doing fine or we would here of 50-60 pounders being caught all the time.

I am really happy these fisherman did well and maybe they only go once a year so I wont comment on THEM so to speak. We all need to do our part....keep a 36" and put back the bigger ones....maybe you will land that TROPHY sooner than you think.

[Ding]

NICE CATCH, NICE PIX. That must have been a fun outing. Thanks for sharing. HAPPY DAYS.


Ding

[striper2278]

Originally posted by Ding:
NICE CATCH, NICE PIX. That must have been a fun outing. Thanks for sharing. HAPPY days
Ding Ding,

This wasn't a picture of me! I found it on OI website..

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by Ding:
NICE CATCH, NICE PIX. That must have been a fun outing. Thanks for sharing. HAPPY DAYS.


Ding Hey Ding! If ya like that pic there are plenty more where that one came from. All the "fun" a person could ask for! Check it out for yourself~

http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/743image1%2D37%2D02%2D14%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/742image1%2D11PM%2D2%2D13%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/article.cfm?article_id=740
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/739image1%2D4%2D02%2D11%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/738image1%2D37%2D02%2D10%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/734image1%2D58pound%20Striped%2DBass%2D02%2D06%2D0 4r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/728image1%2Dweighing%2Din%2D01%2D29%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/718image1%2DSea%20%2DNote%2D01%2D18%2D04r%2Ejpg

And the beat goes on and on and on!

Just a couple a good ole' boys doing what they luv...fishing (smile).

[ 02-14-2004, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[TheAdamBomb]

This spring looks to be fantastic in Cape May! I am really looking forward to the weather warming up a bit! I have started getting the boat ready...the time is drawing near!

[hipkvw]

Adam...People will want to keep bass like these pics and it will be in your best interest as a buisness person to let them. Dont forget you are in a great position to promote conservation....even if you can only plant the seed and make them think a little.

[TWIN D'S]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Ding:



Hey Ding! If ya like that pic there are plenty more where that one came from. All the "fun" a person could ask for! Check it out for yourself~

http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/743image1%2D37%2D02%2D14%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/742image1%2D11PM%2D2%2D13%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/article.cfm?article_id=740
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/739image1%2D4%2D02%2D11%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/738image1%2D37%2D02%2D10%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/734image1%2D58pound%20Striped%2DBass%2D02%2D06%2D0 4r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/728image1%2Dweighing%2Din%2D01%2D29%2D04r%2Ejpg
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/718image1%2DSea%20%2DNote%2D01%2D18%2D04r%2Ejpg

And the beat goes on and on and on!

Just a couple a good ole' boys doing what they luv...fishing (smile). </font>[/QUOTE]This what the DBay Forum will look like come May.

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by TWIN D'S:
This what the DBay Forum will look like come May. [/QB]We hope ;)

[seadated]

I wanted to interject here,

I posted my personel best near the top and it was taken in on of the Utches tournaments,

On my boat I try and explain to people to only take what they can eat, Dont take bass and load up the freezer,


I honestly do not like Bonus tags, I feel if yo leave with 2 fish that is more than enough meat, and I will usually give it to friends and relatives that don't get fresh striper every day,

I use my tags in tournament situations where Heaviest fish counts, so fishing for that 3 rd bass can make all the difference, And I am not the only captain that has this mentality during tournament time.

Hell the last 4 trips out on my boat I did not keep one bass!

I believe, keep what you can eat and let the others grow to fight another day.

[hipkvw]

Well said Seadated.

[Phil Kozak]

Gentleman as much as some of you may think that those southern good old boys were hogs u have to remember that if it is in the Carolina's it just their way of life. The commercial pirates of the south. I don't believe in taking more than u can use, but last spring the same thing occured in the waters north of Manasquan. Do what u think is right and go to bed happy.
Phil

[RodFather]

Originally posted by Phil Kozak:
Gentleman as much as some of you may think that those southern good old boys were hogs u have to remember that if it is in the Carolina's it just their way of life. The commercial pirates of the south. I don't believe in taking more than u can use, but last spring the same thing occured in the waters north of Manasquan. Do what u think is right and go to bed happy.
Phil Phil,

Last spring I fished the waters North of Manasquan and I was quite surprised how many northern boaters I seen releasing those big slobs. I am sure plenty of guys loaded up their coolers and I am not doubting you but one of the things that stick in my mind most, besides the large bass, huge schools of concentrated bunker and the awesome time that Guns and I had over a couple day period was, that we seen many, many captains releasing their bass, including us. In two days Tom and caught over 15 very large bass, 47" and bigger and released everyone except for one that was bleeding pretty good from the gut.

[agita]

Interestingly enough, I dont keep any of them for myself. When Big george and I fish, he keeps a few for the table ( or I will donate a fish to his large family of fish eaters) other than that I will not even eat them.....I LOVE TO CATCH EM. So I am careful not to gut hook em, and If I am out alone I release all of them! Just dont like the taste.....Hope this doesnt ban me from the Barn LOL!!!!

[sparse grey]

Nothing better than pictures of dead stripers. In a few years when there are none, save these pictures. Sorry.. Ron

[striper2278]

Yet another day on the water down in NC
http://www.oregon-inlet.com/journal/images/745image1%2D38AM%2D2%2D15%2D04r%2Ejpg
A few things that I'd like to add is. I and alot us can sit here and say that we wouldn't fish for these fish if they were here and as thick as they are down there. But we would be lying! I agree that they may be over doing it down there with keeping the Capts. Plus mates fish..But other then that, they are doing their jobs! And I can understand that!

Put it to you this way...It would be like telling everyone that chunks in the bay for stripers in the spring and the fall to stop! It will never happen..

Also I agree about different size limits! ;)

The way things are going right now..I feel that If it's stays this way or maybe a little different we should be good for a while. But something will have to happen sooner or later.

1 fish @ 28" or above
1 fish @ 24"-28"
Two is all we need!

[ 02-15-2004, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: striper2278 ]

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by striper2278:
I and alot us can sit here and say that we wouldn't fish for these fish if they were here and as thick as they are down there. But we would be lying! Skip, I don't think many people have a problem with the fact that they fish for bass down there. Heck, we all fish for bass. As a matter of fact, quite a few of us live to fish for bass...or at least it seems that way ;)

I think what disturbs people the most is seeing all those dead cows. When ya start doing the math in your head, that's a lot of dead cows. Think about it for a moment. If there are so many fish down there, why not keep the smaller fish for the table and let the larger models live? Sure folks are gonna keep a cow or two for a trophy, as well they should but to come home with 5, 10, 15, 20 cows. I personaly don't see the sence in it :rolleyes: But then again, that's just me and the way I look at the situation. I'm sure those people have their just reasons for doing what they do :confused:

No need to worry Skip! When the bass are gone you can always run "Open Boat Bluefish Trips" ;)

It's ashame striper doesn't taste like carp, then we'd have nothing to worry about smile.gif

[Sea Devil]

Skip

i dont have a problem keeping one or 2 for the table and you are right the regs should stay there as is ..1 at 24 one at over 28 ..this benifits everone as the capt on head boats /charter boats might not find monsters but can find the slot and save the day..i was looking at the pics of these fish and they are almost all cows that ......could have been photo and released by Barners.... or others in the del bay as we see em swim away we say "ok cool the fish will be fine"

then a month or 2 later where is that same fish ? some guy who has caught 5 slobs catches it and well you see where they are :mad: cooler bound this is what needs to stop but you cannot control the fish and boat in carolinas

seeing these fish i have to shake my head but yes i do keep stripers myself too but as i said i like the regs where they are one a 24 one at over 28

looking forward to spring .........

[zoom]

one ?ron what does a carp taste like ?? have you ever :eek: !!ZOOM

[Brian E. Mullaney]

I agree - 2 is all you need. And not two fourty plus pounders. :rolleyes:

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by zoom:
ron what does a carp taste like ?? Honestly, I don't know. I've never eaten it before. I just figured that since crabs and gulls won't eat'em they must taste bad http://www.binaryrhyme.com/ubbicons/puke.gif

[leedz49]

That's crazy. I keep my first one, and maybe a slot if I have company. The bonus fish program should be called the freezer burn program. Use circle hooks when clamming or chunking and bring a camera. If you want one for the wall measure the length and girth, take a picture and get a fiberglass repro. I know that it is good advertising for skippers to unload a huge catch dockside, so why night have a bulletin board to post catches on right next to the boat? Those pics just seem so wanton.

[BIGGESTJACK]

MAINLY OLDER OF JEWISH DECENT.USE TO BE A SMALL DELI GROCERY IN BRIDESBURG CALLED BELL'S THAT SOLD CARP FOR ONE OF THERE HOLIDAYS.I'M SURE SOMEONE ON HERE MUST HAVE SOME INFO ON THIS?

[Sea Devil]

i belive carp are also called gveltefish

it is a popular jewish food ... seen it in the market

[striper2278]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
Skip, I don't think many people have a problem with the fact that they fish for bass down there. Heck, we all fish for bass. As a matter of fact, quite a few of us live to fish for bass...or at least it seems that way ;)

I think what disturbs people the most is seeing all those dead cows. When ya start doing the math in your head, that's a lot of dead cows. Think about it for a moment. If there are so many fish down there, why not keep the smaller fish for the table and let the larger models live? Sure folks are gonna keep a cow or two for a trophy, as well they should but to come home with 5, 10, 15, 20 cows. I personaly don't see the sence in it :rolleyes: But then again, that's just me and the way I look at the situation. I'm sure those people have their just reasons for doing what they do :confused:

No need to worry Skip! When the bass are gone you can always run "Open Boat Bluefish Trips" ;)

It's ashame striper doesn't taste like carp, then we'd have nothing to worry about smile.gif [/QUOTE]
Ron,

What I was saying was that they should release alot more bigger ones then they do...But who the heck know what they are releasing!

Put it to you this way...People don't usually fish the D-bay (Chunking) for 28" fish! Atleast the people that I know that fish there! I don't have a problem with this. Regs are regs. But something has got to give!

I feel that the striper fishing is very good right now..But who knows in the future. All I'm saying is..If we here in NJ had that many fish that close to the beach..Could you imagine how many people would be fishing..( And I'm talking about the big fish)..I have to admit..I'd be one of them!


No need to worry Skip! When the bass are gone you can always run "Open Boat Bluefish Trips" ;)

If that's what it would come down to...It happened once..It could happen again!

Also, I'd like to tell everyone that I don't even eat fish..So I do my part with C&R. So basically all fish taste like carp to me :D

[TWIN D'S]

Nothing is static. If one just waits, there will be more fish and there will be less fish.

[design]

Originally posted by Phil Kozak:
Gentleman as much as some of you may think that those southern good old boys were hogs u have to remember that if it is in the Carolina's it just their way of life. The commercial pirates of the south. Not all true, the captain of the open boat I was on in OBX did not condone keeping fish, he condoned releasing as much as you can and keeping for the table only, not to keep all and give away to everyone.

This man (the captain) while cleaning our fish for free and did not wish to be even tipped for cleaning the few fish, spoke of conservation, he gained my utmost respect, true interest of the sport and making sure we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest.

The few guys know the value of these fish and how it keeps them living, thus promoting what they believe.

Striper2278, it's a shame you feel that way in your response to Ron about maybe having to turn to blue fishing. I'm sure your trips will be just as pentyful for blue fish as they are for bass.

No need to sponser on the bass barn, you'll have to sponser on the blue barn :D tongue.gif Heard the blue fish barn forums are kicking tongue.gif

[ 02-16-2004, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: design ]

[mako]

If they are within the legal limits they are within the legal limit....however if limits stay as they are today in 10 yrs it will be like it was 15 yrs ago when there wasn't a striper to be found.

Then all the marinas, bait shops and charter guys that live and die by the stripers will be hurt the most, not to mention future fisherman (ie kids of today).

I am not a hard line conservationist, etc however the stripers are so popular because most anyone can get at them....small boats, surf, etc. and they just get hammered.

Guys down South are in general pretty much ridiculous when it comes to keeping fish....any fish. I have personally seen 3 foot makos dead on the dock for pictures in Hatteras......but what can you do? Call the CO who is the charter captain's wife's cousin, etc?

I'm a little tired of the "their doing job" adage when it comes to keeping everything for the sake of a reputation for catching fish. A cop is also doing his job by pulling over someone doing 79 in a 65 but that doesn't mean he has to or is going to give every person a ticket.

[striper2278]

Originally posted by design:
[QUOTE]
Striper2278, it's a shame you feel that way in your response to Ron about maybe clearing out the stock and turing to blue fishing. Wo Wo Wo,

Wait one second here...I never said that I wanted the stcok to be cleaned out...So don't make me look like the bad guy!

I didn't bring up fishig for bluefish for my charters..Ron did..But he was being sarcastic Kidding!

Did you read through any of my posts?

Let me say it again. I believe in C&R! I don't eat fish! What is killed aboard my boat is not wasted..just to let ya know!

Also I said that I feel that the striper stocks are in good shape as of right now...They must be because there is another thread here in the striper forum that says the there are tons of small stripers.

I don't agree with killing all the big bass..Especially when you already keeping one that is big!

My final statement..I love stripers..They are my favorite fish to catch..So to anwser anyone elses questions...No, I don't want to see them Vanished! ;)

Plus carp maybe be second to bluefish :D

[design]

Originally posted by striper2278:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by design:


Striper2278, it's a shame you feel that way in your response to Ron about maybe clearing out the stock and turing to blue fishing. Wo Wo Wo,

Wait one second here...I never said that I wanted the stcok to be cleaned out...So don't make me look like the bad guy!

I didn't bring up fishig for bluefish for my charters..Ron did..But he was being sarcastic Kidding!

Did you read through any of my posts?

Let me say it again. I believe in C&R! I don't eat fish! What is killed aboard my boat is not wasted..just to let ya know!

Also I said that I feel that the striper stocks are in good shape as of right now...They must be because there is another thread here in the striper forum that says the there are tons of small stripers.

I don't agree with killing all the big bass..Especially when you already keeping one that is big!

My final statement..I love stripers..They are my favorite fish to catch..So to anwser anyone elses questions...No, I don't want to see them Vanished! ;)

Plus carp maybe be second to bluefish :D </font>Striper2278, please make note I edited my post but you caught it before hand, I realized what I typed and corrected it and also inserted sarcastic remarks.

sorry for any misunderstandings, typed words on forums are sometimes mistaken as you don't get a feel for the persons emotions,

BBunker knows I'm a standup guy that likes to spout my mouth off, him and I don't see eye to eye on everything but we do drink beer :D

[VDAWG]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by design:
[QUOTE]
Striper2278, it's a shame you feel that way in your response to Ron about maybe clearing out the stock and turing to blue fishing.
--------------------------------------------------
I think you should edit and remove it copletely from your post,I would bet my arse that 80% of his fishing is for stripers,Why would he not care if they were wiped out!!!! to imply this even sarcasticly,is not a JOKE !!!

[VDAWG]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by design:
[QUOTE]
Striper2278, it's a shame you feel that way in your response to Ron about maybe clearing out the stock and turing to blue fishing.
--------------------------------------------------
I think you should edit and remove it copletely from your post,I would bet my arse that 80% of his fishing is for stripers,Why would he not care if they were wiped out!!!! to imply this even sarcasticly,is not a JOKE !!!

[design]

Originally posted by VDAWG:
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by design:
[QUOTE]
Striper2278, it's a shame you feel that way in your response to Ron about maybe clearing out the stock and turing to blue fishing.
--------------------------------------------------
I think you should edit and remove it copletely from your post,I would bet my arse that 80% of his fishing is for stripers,Why would he not care if they were wiped out!!!! to imply this even sarcasticly,is not a JOKE !!! as I posted before

sorry for any misunderstandings, typed words on forums are sometimes mistaken as you don't get a feel for the persons emotions, And I agree, there will only be a few that meet Striper2278 qty of fish he's caught and relased from what I've read in the past off these forums and from what I've been told.

[ 02-16-2004, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: design ]

[seadated]

Guys,
I think MOST people on the Barn are conservationalist, when it comes to Bass fishing, I really Do. I think we all know the ill effects of over fishing our waters, Look in the early 90's.

Maybe the guys down south don't see it our way who knows! I still think take what you can eat and leave the rest to grow another day.


TUNA on the other hand, That's a thread in itself. I think WAY to much Tuna are Harvested off our shoreline canyons,

I mean COME ONE LIMITING OUT ON YFT AT 60 - 90# each.
Just how much TUNA can a 6 pack charter eat??????????? One believe in One per man and let the rest go! Unless It is a Tournament.

I will leave it at that.

[striper2278]

Originally posted by seadated:
Guys,
I think MOST people on the Barn are conservationalist, when it comes to Bass fishing, I really Do. I think we all know the ill effects of over fishing our waters, Look in the early 90's.

Maybe the guys down south don't see it our way who knows! I still think take what you can eat and leave the rest to grow another day.


TUNA on the other hand, That's a thread in itself. I think WAY to much Tuna are Harvested off our shoreline canyons,

I mean COME ONE LIMITING OUT ON YFT AT 60 - 90# each.
Just how much TUNA can a 6 pack charter eat??????????? One believe in One per man and let the rest go! Unless It is a Tournament.

I will leave it at that. I agree Phil! ;)

[Ugly Mug 2]

We have had this debate of limits vs take etc it will never end (sorry it may MPA's) I will only say the way they manage the redfish in the south may be the ticket. I fish touraments for these bass as you well know and said it before set the standards for all and we'll fish against everyone anytime. Im not a proponent of the bigfish only wins, a slot limit event would be much more competetive! It certainly would bring more fisherman into the mix. I will say with the charter fleet it would be no different here if we had that fishery and an open season when those cows were passing by..........(and yes I am involved in the business side as well as the rec side so I guess i'm the pot and the kettle???) :confused:

[ 02-16-2004, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: Ugly Mug 2 ]

[THECHUMSTAIN]

I guess I'm going to be a bassterd child come Opening Day. I am paid to catch fish, if the limit is 3 with a tag who am I to tell them they can't keep them. Isn't that the point of limits, so you stop when you reach it. :cool: A reputation of putting limits on the boat will bring people back.

[TWIN D'S]

John,

You make too much sense.

[BLOOD STAINS]

I sat here and read through all this, this topic come up before. I love it, not for anything but some of you guys are hypocrites. Like the mug said, if they passed off NJ's shore like they are down there you would all be fishing them. Lets face it, the Delaware Bay is a perfect example of a fishermans nature, this is where the areas big fish are. Most who fish there are seeking the Big cows. The rips are right there with school and male fish, but some refuse to fish for them and stay in the bay. Why........... Because of the fish size.

I have personally scene area charters in the rips catch and release at least 100 fish. Which fish get taken in by thier crew. The biggest.. plus a slot. Like I stated in a previous post, simply, its thier turn or time. If they are abidding by the law, we need to get over it, until things are changed. Because you all would be doing the same thing..

[BigBites]

My big ???????? is how are these fish being caught? Is it on the troll, how far off are they going, and are they in schools of bunker. I pretty much wanna know how it's going down and can it be useful here. I heard that new state record was cuaght like 22nm offshore any truth to that

[BLOOD STAINS]

I was fishing them down there. The fish are stacked up right off the beach. No need going off shore. I was less than 1 mile from shore and it hasn't changed they are still close to the beach. Caught all mine on a jig, couldn't get it 10 feet deep.

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by striper2278:

What I was saying was that they should release alot more bigger ones then they do...But who the heck know what they are releasing!By the looks of some of those pictures, it doesn't look like a whole lots going back but like you said...who knows what's going on down there?



Put it to you this way...People don't usually fish the D-bay (Chunking) for 28" fish! Atleast the people that I know that fish there! I don't have a problem with this. Regs are regs. But something has got to give! I hear what you're screaming Skip! I fish the bay becuse it offers me the opportunity to catch big fish. Much like you, I like...er luv to catch bass, particularly the Large models ;) With that being said you ealize I don't have a problem with fishing for big fish. What I do have a problem with is seeing so many (big fish) put to death for the table.

Ok, you eat fish and so do people in your family (I'm not refering to you here Skip). So keep a fish or two from time to time but DON'T KEEP YOUR LIMIT OF COWS EVERY TIME OUT! What are ya starving or something? Geeze ya got a $50,000 boat and a $30,000 Suv, treat yourself to the Sizler or something...LOL!



I feel that the striper fishing is very good right now..But who knows in the future. All I'm saying is..If we here in NJ had that many fish that close to the beach..Could you imagine how many people would be fishing..( And I'm talking about the big fish)..I have to admit..I'd be one of them! And I'd be right next to ya skip :D The only difference is I'd be releasing'em tongue.gif Just messing with ya Skip...LOL! ;)




Also, I'd like to tell everyone that I don't even eat fish..So I do my part with C&R. So basically all fish taste like carp to me :D From what I gather carp taste pretty good ;)

BTW, Skip after reading your post I'm not sure if you took what I posted the wrong way. I was by no means hammering you or anything like that smile.gif

[ 02-16-2004, 11:36 PM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by THECHUMSTAIN:
I am paid to catch fish, if the limit is 3 with a tag who am I to tell them they can't keep them. Isn't that the point of limits, so you stop when you reach it. :cool: A reputation of putting limits on the boat will bring people back. John, we're not concerned with those little "clam belly" fish you catch, it's the cows we're refering to tongue.gif

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by BLOOD STAINS:
The fish are stacked up right off the beach. Like shooting fish in a barrel :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong! I don't blame anyone for fishing for those fish. Like I said in my earlier posts, I'd be right there in the mix myself.

My only issue is; why do some people (just becuase the regulations say it's ok) have to bring home every cow they catch? I mean don't they get it? Don't they realize how long it takes for those fish to grow to that size? How hungry can ya possibly be?

I guess it's me? I guess it's because I don't look at the ocean as a "supermarket". I fish becuase I enjoy it, not becuase I'm starving or anything like that :rolleyes:

Again (I know this will get twisted and turned before this thread dies) I don't have a problem with people who keep their limit. My family & friends keep their limits. I have a problem with the person who fishes often and chooses to keep BIG fish any chance they get all becuase "the regulations say I can!" Sure I understand the Regs are wacked but that doesn't mean you have to be!

Make your own "regulations" and give'em a break!

[ 02-16-2004, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[TWIN D'S]

Originally posted by BigBites:
My big ???????? is how are these fish being caught? Is it on the troll, how far off are they going, and are they in schools of bunker. I pretty much wanna know how it's going down and can it be useful here. I heard that new state record was cuaght like 22nm offshore any truth to that Lots of guys are trolling mojos with a trailing shad type plastic bait. That's what the VA state record was caught on, two miles off Corolla Light NC.

Phil

[Ugly Mug 2]

Bites we have a 3 mile limit anywhere in the US as far as bass are concerned so the 22nm is story should not be true especially with the cedentials this lady angler has!

[TWIN D'S]

Just wanted to add to this argument about NC fishing methods :rolleyes: . I got no problem with charter capts catching all they are allowed. If they don't do what the fares want, they won't be in business very long.

Phil

[Get it wet]

I don't think you guys are being fair here. Skip's job is to put people on fish. That is all he needs to do if he doesn't do this then he will go out of bueiness. Enough said there. I think you can all unstand that. What the party takes that day is not up to him. Unless they try to break the laws then he needs to say something. (Skip this is not a shot at you I hope it doesn't come off like that.) We all hope that no one will take more then they can use. That would be a waste of fish. To take something and just throw it away is just wrong but if the people eat all they catch then it's is there right to do so. It's not right that you look at a picture and say they should have released some of those fish. Do you know that they didn't? Unless you were there you don't know what happen do you. If they didn't just maybe it was a first time and only time they made it out that year and that will hold them untill next year. Pointing a finger at some picture and just making a statment about it isn't fair with out knowing everything. We here at the Barn see alot of first timer pictures and alot of all the time pictures. The guy that put pictures up all the time I still wouldn't want to juge. Do you know for sure he has killed more then he can eat? You are baseing there catch on how much you can eat. Just think about it for a minute. You are useing yourself as the rule as to how many fish can I or a Family use.

The point I am trying to make is Do you really know if they are wasteing stripers, or are they taking what they can use. :confused:

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by Get it wet:
I don't think you guys are being fair here. Skip's job is to put people on fish. That is all he needs to do if he doesn't do this then he will go out of bueiness. Chaz, I'm not sure who your refering to in regards to not being "fair" to Skip but just so you don't confuse anything I said, allow me to clarify my statements here in regards to the picture that Skip posted.

If you go back and read what I wrote you'll see that I don't give a hoot about people keeping fish. I live in the world of reality and know full well that as long as man can fish he will keep his catch. That's a know fact that will never ever change...period.

My problem or I should say my question is a simple one...why kill so many big fish?

[BLOOD STAINS]

One last thought from me, get it wet has some of this right. We don't know the release rate.

Look there are over 40 charter boats and who knows how many personal, trailered boats, that are running out of that Marina. Yes that Marina, there is know where else down there to launch so all personal boats are coming from that Marina. You the see pictures from this Marina and say massacre .

You know if there were 40 charters and every trailered boat that were out in the Cape May area, that came from the same marina in Cape May and someone was kind enough to take pictures of the catches and post them. The numbers here would be the same if not worse, not size wise, but sheer numbers.

What I'm trying to say is, mabey theses pictures are a little misleading. I was down there fishing these fish and some of the schools are cookie cutter molds. Take a good look at the pictures, they are nice sized fish but not all are cows. How many slots are coming in from the Bay.

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by BLOOD STAINS:


What I'm trying to say is, mabey theses pictures are a little misleading. Blood Stains,

"Misleading" or not, my only question is; with all the fish around like the "cookie cutter" bass you refered to...why kill the cows?

That's all I'm asking?

[ 02-17-2004, 11:26 AM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[CaptG]

One thing we have to remember is that most, if not all of these pics of limits taken are from charters. Most folks who charter, do so only occasionaly, don't have thier own boats or don't have the means to fish very often. They aren't the fanatics most of us are that fish as much as we can. Therefore, our perception of what is right is going to be different than theirs so most of are judgements are biased when we see these pictures.

The only honest judgement i can make in seeing those pics are the folk look happy and the fish are dead!

I practice conservation by not using bonus tags, this usually equates to an average of about 4 keeper bass per trip for us, or one bass per person killed with about the same number of releases. In my mind that's being very conservative, though the people in these pics could argue you take 10 trips a year, that's 10 dead bass, I killed 3 on trip or 6 in 2, 9 in 3 trips etc.. it all add's up the same, any way you slice it. This also goes for the strictly C&R guys because mortality rates do add up, no matter how careful you handle the fish, some will not make it.

[Ron Redington]

One trip a year...100 trips a year...fanatic...weekender...mom...dad...chunker.. .plugger...type O negative...blond...red head...democrat...republican...

My only question is with all the fish around; why kill so many cows?

[Get it wet]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Get it wet:
I don't think you guys are being fair here. Skip's job is to put people on fish. That is all he needs to do if he doesn't do this then he will go out of bueiness. Chaz, I'm not sure who your refering to in regards to not being "fair" to Skip but just so you don't confuse anything I said, allow me to clarify my statements here in regards to the picture that Skip posted.

If you go back and read what I wrote you'll see that I don't give a hoot about people keeping fish. I live in the world of reality and know full well that as long as man can fish he will keep his catch. That's a know fact that will never ever change...period.

My problem or I should say my question is a simple one...why kill so many big fish? </font>[/QUOTE]Ron

I just put it out there. I didn't want to point it at anyone person. All I was really saying was we don't know how many times the person in that picture (or pictures) keep big fish. Just think if they are the only ones they keep all year what would be so wrong in that. I have been looking for some information that states when a Striper is a breader. Can anybody help me here I just can't find it? Yes if we let the big ones go then it stands to reason that they will get bigger. You know me I don't have a problem with letting any fish go big or small for that matter. I have also taken big fish home. I even have a Bonus tag. I have not used it but I have one just the same. I like the fact that I can input some information to help the Stripe Bass. Will I ever use it probably some day. Like you said for me I don't need 3 big stripers every time I go fishing. What I am useing mine for is just in case I hurt one real bad. I now have the option of keeping it instade of wasteing this fish. I also feel if you as a fisherman ( not you presonally Ron but Fisherman in general) are filling your frezer with more fish then you can eat then your are just wasting them and that is wrong. I have also given fish to freinds that I caught but ask them not to take more then they will eat. I even take fish I don't intend on anyone eating. I am not talking about stripers here, Bunkers and blue fish for ect. I take them for bait on an up and coming trip.

I guess All I am asking of any fisherman is not to judge the next guy without knowing all that is going on.

Ron I know you are a smart guy so I ask you this. If infact there were too many stripers around here would you take more to help out the whole picture? Should we save one kind of fish over another? Or should our waters be balanced. The netters want a pices of the stripers we now have. If we don't take enough they will open the season to them. It will probably happen someday but it doesn't always mean it a bad thing. So what is the right number to keep and what is the right number to release? I don't have that answer and I don't think anyone out there does. I do think we are trying to find it out though. untill we know what that number is, it is hard to tell someone they are keeping to many big stripers. They maybe the only reason that the netters aren't getting there share. Just food for thought. :D

[ 02-17-2004, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: Get it wet ]

[design]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:


My only question is with all the fish around; why kill so many cows? cause they are not trophy hunters?

ie. a deer hunter after being at it for a while, and taking his share will start to pass up deer after deer, waiting for the trophy to come by......hopeing, waiting, that the deer the hunter passed up last year or two or more will become his trophy this year and hopefully breed prior.

[VDAWG]

Ron to put it plain and simple,because they can.No regs to stop them,their not breaking any laws,maybe their meet hunters,looking to get as much meat as possable without breaking any laws,maybe they have the same mentality that people had before striped bass ever were in troble.Maybe they think there will be no end and no impact on these bass,Maybe they dont know any better.They see the numbers of fish and the abundance of these bass were their at, and think this will never end its great fishing more meat.Sound familiar it should it happened before !!!There is no answer to your question Ron everone has to be accountable for themselves.Vinny

[VDAWG]

Ron to put it plain and simple,because they can.No regs to stop them,their not breaking any laws,maybe their meet hunters,looking to get as much meat as possable without breaking any laws,maybe they have the same mentality that people had before striped bass ever were in troble.Maybe they think there will be no end and no impact on these bass,Maybe they dont know any better.They see the numbers of fish and the abundance of these bass were their at, and think this will never end its great fishing more meat.Sound familiar it should it happened before !!!There is no one answer to your question Ron.everone has to be accountable for themselves.Vinny

[ 02-17-2004, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: VDAWG ]

[CaptG]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
One trip a year...100 trips a year...fanatic...weekender...mom...dad...chunker.. .plugger...type O negative...blond...red head...democrat...republican...

My only question is with all the fish around; why kill so many cows? Ron, the simple answer is because it's allowed. I agree that we should not kill alot of cows because they are important to the well being of the species, hence the reason we don't get our bonus tags. I much rather have a slot for the table anyway, but now looks like we are going to loose that, so even more big fish will be killed. The only true solution is a change in regulations. Problem is some want more fish, and also wan't big fish. Ecologically, it is impossible to have both. Since most fish substain on oneanother, once man intercedes with mother nature, and this goes for all fish species, we change the ecological marine environment. Therefore, we must adapt regulations that aim to maintain a sound ecological enivronment and cohere with them to ensure enough of all fish stocks stay healthy so that the fish can substain themselves. As we all know marine habitants do not lead perpetual lives, the balance of nature is a delicate one and we "man" are the ones who now control it. Fish are too stupid to manage themselves, we need to control the populations of certain fish in order to allow the recovery of others. Ever since the intervention of man, the need for bag and size limits, closed season's etc. both Comm. and Rec. for certain species has become more and more evident. What i'm getting at, is we certainly do need to kill some bass, and in some areas alot of bass each year, no matter how much we like them they need to be managed correctly and part of that us keeping their populations in check! Though, if we want to manage for the wants of us, the sport fishermen, these regs need to be tweeked to our likings, while at the same time ensuring that we take enough to keep the balance in check. The only way i see this happening is to allow the harvest of more slot sized fish, but to put a slot on large bass too, like they manage the Redfish down south. Of course, people would like to keep their trophy of a lifetime too, so a bonus tag for one fish per year over a certain size, say 40" would be nice, so all fish over 40" but one a year must be released. We can argue about it all we wan't but nothing will change until the regulators say they have too.

[ 02-17-2004, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: CaptG ]

[Pop Up]

You guys in the Del. Bay are just as bad, I dont care who you are one fish is enough. Wow i don't use my bonus tags, that is really some conservation!

[Get it wet]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
One trip a year...100 trips a year...fanatic...weekender...mom...dad...chunker.. .plugger...type O negative...blond...red head...democrat...republican...

My only question is with all the fish around; why kill so many cows? Ron

I do understand your question. There are several answers to it and I do think you could come up with many of them if you really tryed. If we had a choise of two stripers to keep say a 28" or a 47". Which one would most people keep? Probably they would keep the 47". Now why would they do this? Maybe it's the first one they caught bigger then 40". It stands to reason you can get more meat off a 47"er then a 28"er. Most poeple don't have two fish in the boat at the same time to choise from. The 47"er comes in the boat first. Should I release this fish, it just might be the only one I get all day long. You and I know that just might be what happens. You and I can live with that not everybody can. I will tell you this has happened to me. I have also released fish only to catch bigger fish. Yes some guys are putting meat on the table and not just out there to have fun. Well there are some answers for you on why it's done.

Someday I hope I can make the 50/50 club. I will thank everybody that has relased big stripers for that. It is a great idea and will produce some record Bass one day. Is it wrong to keep 47" bass I don't know that it is and untill I do I will not pass judgement on any fishermen that does. I do agree with you that if you take a 47"er it will not get any bigger. Do you think that we are getting all the 47"er or most of them? I don't think we are but maybe I am wrong.

Thanks for listening!

[CaptG]

Originally posted by Pop Up:
You guys in the Del. Bay are just as bad, I dont care who you are one fish is enough. Wow i don't use my bonus tags, that is really some conservation! Hey PopUp, maybe you didn't comprehend my post, or nevermind :rolleyes: If you ever fished the Dbay, you'd know this, but i'll fill you in. When we fish the Dbay, it's not for small fish! As a matter of fact, we've only caught one slot fish in the past 3 years fishing for striper in the Dbay and that was the one time we trolled, late in the season. So, AS MY POST STATES, WE AVERAGE ONE FISH PER MAN ON OUR TRIPS! The current regs stipulate one fish over 28" and we abide by them. If we used trophy tags we could keep 2 over 28" but we don't so are conserving by your own admittance of what's "enough" by only keeping our one fish per man 99.9% of the time we fish the DBay.

Some of you elitist need to once in a while take the blinders off, forget about the greedy agenda of wanting more and bigger. Try to see the real issues, and for god's sake face reality man! Boy, sometimes i really feel like I'm wasting my breath around here :rolleyes:

[BigBites]

I learned something new thanks Bob. "Us guy's in the bay" Yep we are the real problem :confused: Come on people big bass are more plentyful now then they ever where from Maine to NC. Due you really think this is going on everyday doubt it. Some Capt roped some big fish that day and maybe the next day to.Anyway it's his job. Big bass are on the rise so there is going to be more of them.The fish under the bridges & back bays are even getting bigger.My passion for the sport grows everyday and it bothers me to see so many angry people pointing fingers.Most of the time I just let it slide don't wanna be bothered but the statement about us "BAY GUY'S" well to me you are just wanna those angry peole who point fingers & scream foul all the time. Fish how, when, and where you want and I'll do the same but keep post like that off of here,write your congessman are something maybe he will listen

[BigBites]

Dont get me wrong I dont want to see big bass get slaughtered on a regular basis.I just think they way I manage the way we fish on my boat works just fine.When we are on the clock it's all business and numbers that's what they pay for and that's what they get if I can help it unless they state other wise. Now when with friends it's different we all tend to fish a like, alot of fish swim free when we catch. It works both ways on my vessel ;)

[BLOOD STAINS]

Ron, the meaning of cookie cutters in my post is fish of same size, being in the same pod of fish. They could be 30 pounders in a pod or 10 pounders. I still don't see your issue, look at all the pictures. Not every fish is a cow. They are all fat, Yes, but all cows, not by any means. I'll state this kindly, try to give them the bennifit of doubt until you have fished there and witnessed what is going on first hand.

[Ron Redington]

Ya know what guys...you're right.

The ocean contains a never ending supply of fish. It's perfectly ok to fill our legal limits on each and every trip we take and by no means should we be more concerned with any one species over another i.e, striped bass. The bass which appear in the pictures posted in this thread are all nice fish but as Blood Stain stated "not cows by any means".


Guys, do me a favor. When you see me go off on a tangent about bass, try to ignore me. Ya see...I'm a striped bass addict. Yep, that's right! I said it...I'm an addict! I wake up in the morning and think about bass. I drive to work each day thinking about bass. I eat my lunch and think about bass. I come home and think about bass. I even have dreams about bass. So ya see guys, I really can't help myself. When I see a dock full of dead cows my left eye begins to twitch and I start freaking out. I hope you all can forgive me smile.gif

Now where's my medicine...LOL!

[ 02-17-2004, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[BLOOD STAINS]

Thats Ok Ron, Just one correction. As you quoted me, "not cows by any means". I never said that, I said not ALL are cows.

Sorry just dont understand how people complain without all the facts. They are all sitting on thier couches monday morning quarterbacking from looking at pictures.

I'm done

[BigBites]

Hey Ron due think you are the only one?? Addict that is.I come home every night and watch Mike Laptew's stripers in paradise at least twice a week.I also got about 5 packs of Gamag!@##$%^ hooks snelled and ready to go,Delaware Bay chart tacked to my wall & highlighted were I'll be for the spring run andI just spooled up some reels with YO-ZURI

[Ron Redington]

Sorry about that Blood Stain! I must have been having one of my episodes when I misquoted you ;)

BTW, I hope you don't think I was complaining. Like I said before, I'm ok with the fact that people are going to keep the fish they catch. I'm cool with that! Heck, I keep fish myself. My one and only question was...or is "why kill so many big fish?".

Now that I've taken my medicine I'm relaxed and and I realize I should have never asked that question. Heck, the more I think about it, the more I realize there are far too many other things in life to worry about so why worry about the future of a stupid fish ;)

[ 02-17-2004, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: Ron Redington ]

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by BigBites:
Hey Ron due think you are the only one?? Addict that is.I come home every night and watch Mike Laptew's stripers in paradise at least twice a week. Hahahaha! Na Len, I know I'm not the only one! I know your just about as much an "addict" as a person can be.

That's one of the things I like the most about this place. No matter how many issues we disagree on. No matter how many times we beat each other up. No matter how much we'd like to strangle each other. There's one thing which prevails over everything else. We all have one common bond...we luv fishing smile.gif

[B_McKey]

Hi My name is Brian and I'm a stripe-a-holic! ;) This is my first post and the reason I'm here is because it's february, if not I'd be fishin'. Anyway, I've read this whole thread and I'm not sure what I think anymore. It pains me to see all the dead stripers of that size on the dock. At the same time I've never caught a striper over 40#'s and if/when I do I think I'll keep it. And yes it will be for bragging rights, etc - all the wrong reasons.

This is a great site and I'm glad I found it. My wife thinks I have a fishing problem - she should meet you guys LOL!!

[hipkvw]

Ron, Its a take, take, take mentality...its old school thinking that put the stripers in trouble in the first place...." Throw your s**T in the water, Pollute the ocean and rivers...they clean themselves, keep what you can...throw out what you cant get rid of, we are catching so they are doing great. Holy crap...I havnt caught a striper in years! Maybe I was wrong to think that way?"

LOL...same old crap...different decade. You know....some people are never gonna get it. ;)

[hipkvw]

DP :rolleyes:

[ 02-17-2004, 10:47 PM: Message edited by: hipkvw ]

[capthersch]

To: B_McKee,

Hello, Brian and welcome to our thing.
Yes, you came to the right place we all have the same illness. I'm sorry to inform you it's uncurable. :D

[ 02-17-2004, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: capthersch ]

[baranx3]

Check out some of these http://www.hatterasharbor.com/report/index.cfm

[ 02-17-2004, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: baranx3 ]

[TWIN D'S]

Originally posted by hipkvw:
Ron, Its a take, take, take mentality...its old school thinking that put the stripers in trouble in the first place...." Throw your s**T in the water, Pollute the ocean and rivers...they clean themselves, keep what you can...throw out what you cant get rid of, we are catching so they are doing great. Holy crap...I havnt caught a striper in years! Maybe I was wrong to think that way?"

LOL...same old crap...different decade. You know....some people are never gonna get it. ;) Keith,

I'll buy into your logic, as soon as you can explain the abundant numbers of bass in Delaware Bay, the lack of weakfish, and the relatively sudden appearance of millions of croakers in the bay and along the coast. The croakers are virtually ignored by fish managers, which I find amusing. In their own minds, the managers have decided which fish should/would be most abundant LOL!! Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that the croakers would be making an appearance! LOL!!

As far as the bass in the 50's, 60's and 70's and the regs they were fished under, I think maybe all should go back and look at the data for an objective evaluation.

I took a ride to fortescue the other day. As I drove down the winding road that leads to the Fort, I passed a restaurant that we used to have breakfast/lunch at and get sheddars in the outside livewells during the weakfish heyday. It was boarded and shuttered. I smiled to myself at the thought of those years and the thoughts of the owners that invested in those businesses. They thought it would last. We now know it didn't, despite management measures put in place that we assumed would make it last forever.

Phil

[hipkvw]

*Bass in the Bay...They are recovering BUT now getting hammered with more and more people fishing for them every year. You would have to be brain dead(not you...in general) to see the people getting into this fishery is going up in leaps and bounds every year. Charter boats, party boats, rec boats, surfcasters. Will the good fishing last? Can the bass handle this much pressure? I really hope so. I will do what I can to conserve some big fish for the future. The Delaware Bay is a little puddle in the scheme of things.

*Weakfish.....overfishing by commercials? Cyclical? You tell me.

*Other species like croakers....cleaner water? Not targeted? Cyclical? Got me but it is promising.

All I know is when I started hitting the salt in 99' I bet there was less than half the guys out I see now. Every year I see more and more people on the beaches, jetties, backwater, in boats....its crazy. I used to fish the jetties by myself...if I saw a few people that was alot. Now? Its a task to find somewhere to fish alone. I fish the backwater by boat. In 2000/2001 there was NEVER more than a boat or two out at night...now....they are all over the place at times. The Bay??? You guys tell me. Whats it like compared to 5 or 6 years ago. I am not making assumptions or looking at Data...this is what I see happening every year. As more people fish....more bass are taken. Some places will produce better than others every year. Its just how it is. Just trying to be logical and think about the future. Conserving Bass a bad thing?? Seems so with the argument many will give when you tell them to be careful.

[ 02-18-2004, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: hipkvw ]

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by B_McKey:
Hi My name is Brian and I'm a stripe-a-holic! ;) Welcome to the club Brian...oh yeh, and the BARN smile.gif

Ya know...your post made me think about something that happened to me this past fall. I was plugging the surf with a friend of mine who takes bass fishing about as serious as anyone I know. As we were trying to get some bass to take a peak at our plugs he asked me~ "what would you do if you caught a 50# bass?. My reply was; "well...I'd catch my breath, hoist her over my shoulder and head right for my taxidermy guys house". My friend looked at me and said; "not me. I'd take a quick length / girth measurement, snap a picture then let her go." He then went on to say; "why kill a big fish like that!?" If I wanna show off the fish I'll always have the pictures and the fiberglass mount hanging on my wall.

I thought about what he said that day and I can honestly say that if I were to be asked that same question today my answer would be different smile.gif

Now keep in mind this is coming from someone who has a 40# bass hanging on his wall. Ya see...I've killed big fish in the past. I lived for the "bragging rights", etc. Now, I look at killing big fish in a whole new light. It's an evolution in my opinion. An evolution which we all will experience and handle in our own individual way.

I wish you luck with catching a really big bass. When you do catch the "Big One" do with it what you feel is right (notice I said "when"). It's your fish, you caught it, you do what you want with it.

It's all part of the "Evolution" smile.gif

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by baranx3:
Check out some of these http://www.hatterasharbor.com/report/index.cfm Nice fish! But by no means are they ALL "Cows"...LOL!

Easy Blood Stain...just having a little fun ;)

[design]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
[QUOTE][qb]

That's one of the things I like the most about this place. No matter how many issues we disagree on. No matter how many times we beat each other up. No matter how much we'd like to strangle each other. There's one thing which prevails over everything else. We all have one common bond...we luv fishing smile.gif Nuff said

[TWIN D'S]

Originally posted by hipkvw:
*Bass in the Bay...They are recovering BUT now getting hammered with more and more people fishing for them every year. You would have to be brain dead(not you...in general) to see the people getting into this fishery is going up in leaps and bounds every year. Charter boats, party boats, rec boats, surfcasters. Will the good fishing last? Can the bass handle this much pressure? I really hope so. I will do what I can to conserve some big fish for the future. The Delaware Bay is a little puddle in the scheme of things.

*Weakfish.....overfishing by commercials? Cyclical? You tell me.

*Other species like croakers....cleaner water? Not targeted? Cyclical? Got me but it is promising.

All I know is when I started hitting the salt in 99' I bet there was less than half the guys out I see now. Every year I see more and more people on the beaches, jetties, backwater, in boats....its crazy. I used to fish the jetties by myself...if I saw a few people that was alot. Now? Its a task to find somewhere to fish alone. I fish the backwater by boat. In 2000/2001 there was NEVER more than a boat or two out at night...now....they are all over the place at times. The Bay??? You guys tell me. Whats it like compared to 5 or 6 years ago. I am not making assumptions or looking at Data...this is what I see happening every year. As more people fish....more bass are taken. Some places will produce better than others every year. Its just how it is. Just trying to be logical and think about the future. Conserving Bass a bad thing?? Seems so with the argument many will give when you tell them to be careful. Keith,

I am not against conservation or reasonable regulations. I AM cautioning against the thought that more regulations will necessarily lead to a prolonged period of availability for any specie. A quick look at various fisheries reveals that our enthusiasm should be tempered by reality.

During the heyday of the weakfish, anglers realized it was a good thing and decided to go along with regs to have a good thing last. There's nothing wrong with that, but the fact is it didn't last despite regulations. Everything you describe about bass fishing is exactly the way it was with weakfish. More anlgers, more takcle shops etc. I've seen it all before, right down to Fortescue erecting a sign proclaiming it to be the "Weakfish Capitol of The World". There's now a sign at Longreach proclaiming it to be the "Striper Capitol of The World". It's deja vu!! smile.gif I wonder if in the 1800's there were signs proclaiming a given place to be the "Sturgeon Capitol of The World"?

Maybe if they just took down the damn signs everything would be OK. ;)

Phil

[hipkvw]

Phil, So you completly understand what I am saying because you have seen it before with weakfish. Its scary. I didnt mean you in particular when I said about people arguing. It was a general statement as thats what happens when conservation issues come up. If it happened with weakies...it can happen with bass..SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO we should do our part and be careful with what we take even though the law allows a certain amount. Like you stated, the weakfish regs. were followed and look what happen. Its common sense and I am glad you brought up the comparison with what happened when the weakfish were doing great.

[Far26]

Originally posted by hipkvw:


All I know is when I started hitting the salt in 99' I bet there was less than half the guys out I see now. Every year I see more and more people on the beaches, jetties, backwater, in boats....its crazy. I used to fish the jetties by myself...if I saw a few people that was alot. Now? Its a task to find somewhere to fish alone. I fish the backwater by boat. In 2000/2001 there was NEVER more than a boat or two out at night...now....they are all over the place at times. The Bay??? You guys tell me. Whats it like compared to 5 or 6 years ago. I am not making assumptions or looking at Data...this is what I see happening every year. As more people fish....more bass are taken. Some places will produce better than others every year. Its just how it is. Just trying to be logical and think about the future. Conserving Bass a bad thing?? Seems so with the argument many will give when you tell them to be careful. Hey Hip, I hear you about the amount of guys out fishing now, but what do you expect? When the fish are around in good numbers word gets out and everyone wants their piece of the pie. Seems like that's how it always was and always will be.
On the bright side there are now more than a few that learned from past experiences and are much more conservative, don't have to look far. Who thought Ron R would make the 180? ;) :D
Sure there are plenty of big fish being kept today, but I'm pretty sure more big fish are being let go to fight another day than ever before.
I believe our 2 fish bag limit is still on the conservative side. Back in the "glory days" I'm sure the bag/size limits were much more liberal.
Commercial fishing back then compared to today for striped bass,(I'm pretty sure we aren't even close). Phil come on buddy get me a chart/graph. :D
I've realized over the last few years that the fisheries management is much like farming.
We plant the seeds, over time they grow and we harvest them. We have some good years and some bad, we learn as we go and always have the best intentions.

[Ron Redington]

Chaz,

I have no idea how I did it but I somehow managed to delete the post you made :confused: Sorry about that redface.gif

Anyway, here is my reply~

The truth is when I used to kill what I would consider to be a lot of big fish the people I fished with were all doing the same thing. We'd net'em, tossed em in the cooler, filet'em up then drive all around creation dropping off filets to every body and their mother. That was "normal" for us. Ya see...we didn't know any better. And yes, we luved the attention we got back at the dock.

The good news is I "evoled" from those days. One of the major reasons for that is the fact that over the years I've been fortunate enough to be in the company of (and even fish with) some super people who really, truly, care about our future...The future of fishing that is!

I guess you can say they rubbed off on me. If I rub off on someone else...cool smile.gif

BTW, Chaz, when I finaly got a chance to read your posts last night I was in "night night" mode. Inother words I needed to hit the sack. Otherwsie, your post would have got something out of me. I'm not sure what but it would have been something I'm sure ;)

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by Far26:
Who thought Ron R would make the 180? ;) :D
Hahahahaha! Hey! If I can come to my sences anyone can :D

[hipkvw]

Originally posted by Far26:
Hey Hip, I hear you about the amount of guys out fishing now, but what do you expect? [/QB]I do expect it. Just like they expected it when the weakies were doing good. Look what happened. The bag limit is fine. I keep a lot less fish than most people and know how much I have. There is no need to keep the limit everytime out when you go often. Some people dont get it and never will. Take, take, take.....God forbid some people dont keep there limit and then some. Then you have people poaching and fishing out of season....it all adds up and people need to open their eyes. Dont forget to release a few tiderunners this year....its obvious they are not doing well ;) . Will you do your part? I hope so. Remember...everyone dosnt have to keep everything they catch because they can. Releasing fish because you have a limit dosnt make you a conservationist...that just means you are following the law. We all have to do our part. smile.gif

[design]

Originally posted by TWIN D'S:
[QUOTE][qb] I've seen it all before, right down to Fortescue erecting a sign proclaiming it to be the "Weakfish Capitol of The World". There's now a sign at Longreach proclaiming it to be the "Striper Capitol of The World". It's deja vu!! smile.gif

Maybe if they just took down the damn signs everything would be OK. ;)

Phil LOL on the signs

and instead of lines around the corner at bunkies, the lines are at pats.

oh, and what's a weakfish? tongue.gif

most days I at least hope I can catch some fish, let alone worry about a limit. I've never been in that elite group.

before regs, I look back at the pics of the few fish that we kept, tis a shame, but we were lucky to get them sometimes even if it was one or two, let alone the 'cooler full' reports we all used to hear.

Cooler full of fish , think about it, that was braggin rights back then. We have evolved......and will continue.

[Get it wet]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
Chaz,

I have no idea how I did it but I somehow managed to delete the post you made :confused: Sorry about that redface.gif

Ron

Don't Sweet it!! I was just bragging about how you lead by example. ;)

[Ron Redington]

Thanx Buddy!

I figured out what I did. Instead of clicking on the "Reply" icon in your post, I click on Edit and wiped it out.

Sometimes having admin rights does more damage then good...LOL!

[B_McKey]

Ron

Thanks for your response. You almost made me cry too ;) Your story is a good one and it makes me think. I'd love to say you convinced me and I wouldn't keep a cow, and in theory you have. However the real decision won't and cannot be made until that fish is in the boat or on the beach. Only then will I make the final decision on what I will do.

I just hope that I get the chance to make that decision this year. smile.gif And when that time comes this discussion will be playing in my head, and hopefully guide me to do the noble thing.

This is getting too deep :rolleyes: I really need to go fishing.

btw had to shovel snow today :mad: I am so sick of winter.

[hipkvw]

Originally posted by B_McKey:
Ron

Thanks for your response. You almost made me cry too ;) Your story is a good one and it makes me think. I'd love to say you convinced me and I wouldn't keep a cow, and in theory you have. However the real decision won't and cannot be made until that fish is in the boat or on the beach. Only then will I make the final decision on what I will do.

I just hope that I get the chance to make that decision this year. smile.gif And when that time comes this discussion will be playing in my head, and hopefully guide me to do the noble thing.

This is getting too deep :rolleyes: I really need to go fishing.

btw had to shovel snow today :mad: I am so sick of winter. As much of a conservationist as I am, I would have to say keeping one trophy for the wall is OK in my book. My first 50 will be a skin mount. I have no guilt about keeping 1 cow when I release just about everything else.

[Ron Redington]

Originally posted by B_McKey:
However the real decision won't and cannot be made until that fish is in the boat or on the beach. Only then will I make the final decision on what I will do.

Reguardless of what you decide to do, as long as it's the right choice in your mind that's what matters smile.gif

"Evolution" is a never ending process!

[Get it wet]

Originally posted by Ron Redington:
Thanx Buddy!

I figured out what I did. Instead of clicking on the "Reply" icon in your post, I click on Edit and wiped it out.

Sometimes having admin rights does more damage then good...LOL! With all that power you still aren't corrupte! ;) Man I would love to beable to make people go away with 1 click of the mouse. :D

[chunking]

I give nature a ton of credit. I give man a lot less.

As long as we stay within the limits I believe keeping stripers is not doing any harm.

We have the ability to wipe most species off this planet We have the ability to destroy any inviroment.

I believe the stripers are safe as long as our weapon is a baited hook.

[striper2278]

Originally posted by chunking:
I give nature a ton of credit. I give man a lot less.

As long as we stay within the limits I believe keeping stripers is not doing any harm.

We have the ability to wipe most species off this planet We have the ability to destroy any inviroment.

I believe the stripers are safe as long as our weapon is a baited hook. I agree with Fred! smile.gif

[hipkvw]

Originally posted by chunking:
I give nature a ton of credit. I give man a lot less.

As long as we stay within the limits I believe keeping stripers is not doing any harm.

We have the ability to wipe most species off this planet We have the ability to destroy any inviroment.

I believe the stripers are safe as long as our weapon is a baited hook. I hope your right Fred. Like Far said...we learn from our mistakes and try to make it better. Lets hope we hit the right equation this time. I am still all for releasing Cows. I want to see 50 pounders caught on a normal basis ;)

[BLOOD STAINS]

Here's to releasing the Cows http://www.ecomcity.com/heritage/misc5.jpg