Striped Bass Regs

[RED]

I know the regs are 1 fish between 24 and less than 28 and 1 fish 34 or over, but say I catch a 36-incher...is it legal for me to keep that fish without also having the slot fish?

[BottomBouncer]

Absolutely! No slot is necessary it's not like earn a buck ;) :D

[RED]

My buddy told me that yesterday while fishing the beach, some guy who claimed to be from the NMFS (?) approached him, asked him some questions, checked the slot he had in the sand, and told him that the regs state that you must have the slot before you can keep a 34+. I've heard some confusion about this in the past.

[JusGetOnDaHook]

you do not need the slot, its either the keeper, the slot, or both, no order

[RED]

good, now I won't have to throw back that trophy 50-incher that I'm going to beach later!!! :D

[BottomBouncer]

Originally posted by RED:
My buddy told me that yesterday while fishing the beach, some guy who claimed to be from the NMFS (?) approached him, asked him some questions, checked the slot he had in the sand, and told him that the regs state that you must have the slot before you can keep a 34+. I've heard some confusion about this in the past. Tell him to ask for ID next time. The regs are clear. Either, or and both!

Good luck out there!

[sjb saxatilis]

Ahhhh, those dirty fish police!!! Yea, we want to see ID. That's the way i've interpreted it and my fav capt skip on his boat, doesn't matter which one you get 1st.

[Capt Lew]

Yep, makes no different, slot, 34 & over or both.

[ 05-12-2005, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Capt Lew ]

[RED]

Well, didn't get my trophy last night, but I can't complain...beached 3 bass and 1 blue in 2.5 hours after work. All of fresh surf clams.

One short bass (about 20 in).

Another that measured out at 27.5 without the tail pinched together. Figuring this would go over 28 with a pinched tail, I released it.

Biggest fish measured out at about 33, but I didn't bother pinching the tail to try to make 34, so I released this one as well.

May have been able to get away with keeping one of these fish, but it's just as good watching them swim away smile.gif

What pi$$ed me off was seeing three guys up the beach from me catch at least 2 fish (that looked short from where I was at) they they first dragged up on the sand, then kicked a couple times and threw in their cooler without even measuring :mad: No respect!!!

[limprod 369]

We don't meed no stinkin' badges