Novice question about closed season...

[boatbuilder_g]

I keep reading about the season being closed during April and May for Stripers on the Delaware River. Does this mean that I can catch them and not keep them or I'm not allowed to fish for them at all? I know the size limits and quantity for the species but the wording makes me wonder. I know it seems like a stupid question but I don't wanna ticket.

[riprnner]

Catch and relese results in death.Understand why there is a closed season then you decide.

[boatbuilder_g]

Originally posted by riprnner:
Catch and relese results in death.Understand why there is a closed season then you decide. I don't want this to sound like a smarta$$ follow-up but I have been fishing since I was really small and always with catch and release because fish "DON'T" die. So they are there to catch again. Hence the catch and release. Releasing dead fish wouldn't make any sense. As a boat fisherman I take the hook out and the fish swims away. I don't need a picture of it.

I ask about the regs because we all fish all the time. I fish for Winter Flounder and sometimes I catch a Fluke which is out of season but it was caught on a Flounder Rig (small hook). I release the Fluke even if was a legal summer size. It lives to grow bigger for me to catch and eat in the summer. So if I'm fishing the Delaware River for Catfish in April and May and I hook up with a Striper because I use a similar rig I don't want to be accused of fishing illegaly if it is closed. I don't see how you can close the river to a species. There are a lot of fish and they will eat what they want. The only way to close a species is to close fishing. I can't control what bites. If I could I'd be the GOD of fishing!!!

[dhmojo]

Does every released fish die?

[Keepin it Reel]

Everyone I know goes striper fishing in the river when they are in season from march through early may. You can keep your limit in march and not after that. If I lived at the shore and the river didn't affect my weekend plans, I would probably have an agenda as well, if you catch my drift...

[striperaholic]

I tag striper for american littorial society and if all released fish died then I guess all the returns (up to 5 years) are fake. Yes some die if not handled properly, but majority live to be caught again.

[logic186]

BBG,

Lots of folks, myself included, fish the Big D in April and May. Non-offset circle hooks are required. I have been checked a few times by the NJ State Police. As long as I had all my safety gear, valid registration, fishing license and circle hooks the Police were happy.

[doyle007]

boatbuilder, i believe that april and may are off limits because this is the prime spawning time for the bass. since the delaware river and bay are now a pretty major spawning ground for stripers, they want them to be unhindered in their annual right of reproduction. targeting bass during this time will add more stress to the bass, and could thereby result in poor spawning numbers.

now, we all know that people fish the river during april and may, and catch bass. the water is cold enough, so your release will likely not harm the fish too much. like you said, you go catfishing and catch bass, which is fine. you cannot control what's going to bite your bait. the main idea is that you should not be targeting bass specifically. it's been mentioned on this board and others that during the closed season, you cannot fish for (ie..target) or possess the fish during the closed season.

do what's best for the fishery, and do not target bass in the river during their spawning period. go fishing and catch catfish and be happy. if a bass eats your bait, do your best to fight it quickly, revive it completely, and the release it unharmed.

[snichols]

Nice reply Doyle, but according to some people on here.....you can't release a fish unharmed. :confused: :rolleyes:

[ReadyJettyGo]

Originally posted by snichols:
Nice reply Doyle, but according to some people on here.....you can't release a fish unharmed. :confused: :rolleyes: If not physically then psychologically.
They're never the same.
I've heard of fish that just sit in the corner rocking & sucking their fin. :D

I believe the season is only from Trenton south.
Above the bridges ,the season is all year.

[Little Ricky]

Originally posted by ReadyJettyGo:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by snichols:
Nice reply Doyle, but according to some people on here.....you can't release a fish unharmed. :confused: :rolleyes: If not physically then psychologically.
They're never the same.
I've heard of fish that just sit in the corner rocking & sucking their fin. :D

I believe the season is only from Trenton south.
Above the bridges ,the season is all year. </font>[/QUOTE]I will second both of your comments.If the fish swallows hook just cut closest as you can to hook.It will disolve in the fishes mouth etc.Use the circle as the law requires they are safer for the fish and moslty mouth hook ups.DO NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL HOOKS if you forget the circle hook law they do not dissolve well. :cool:
Somtimes I am PERCH fishing and STRIPERS bite ;)
IF YOU SEE IDIOTS KILLING THE STRIPERS OR KEEPING CALL THE CHANNEL 16 and REPORT IT. THAT IS THE MAJOR FISH KILLING.THE FISH ARE SPAWNING TO GIVE US MORE.

[ 02-21-2006, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: Little Ricky ]

[barrell]

Strpierholic. the most favorable study I saw was 20% off released bass dont make it. one study I saw years ago suggested 70% die but I think thats way out of line. I tend to beleive the 20% may be acurate though. Something about lactic acid buildup in the muscles from a long fight on light line.If I have my limit I head home. Are you going saturady at 1300 hrs? If so get my cell from Mark if you want to ride together. Gonna be cold....
Barrell