[rchipbrown]

I posted this in another thread, but thought it deserved a seperate discussion:

I just read the memo NJ submitted in connection with the ASMFC meeting yesterday. The memo sets out, among other things the 6 options NJ is considering for 2010 Fluke.

Basically, it looks to me like the NJ regs for 2010 will be 6 fish at 18 inches with a season from May 29-Sept 6. This is a shorter season than last year (which was May 23-Sept 4) but would include both Memorial Day and Labor Day due to the fact of where they happen to fall this year (memorial day is late - May 31 - and Labor Day is earlyish - Sept 6).

The NJ memo lists 5 other options for the 2010 season in addition to the above option.

The second option leaves the size at 18, but drops the bag to 4. This would add six days to the beginning of the season (May 23-Sept 6).

The other 4 options all would be an 18.5 inch size and 6 fish bag and adjust the season in various ways all of which would meet the target quota:

May 13-Sept 13
May 29-Sept 26
May 21-Sept 12
May 29-Sept 17

Obviously, dropping the bag to 4 to gain 6 days does not make much sense. So the issue is whether the size should be bumped a half an inch to lengthen the season. I would be very much in favor of that, but I'm guessing there is no chance of that. Thoughts?

 

[phish4fun]

dropping to 4 would be fine with me which means 16 to bring home each trip.how much flounder can you eat? we had 1 four man limit all last season averaging 55 flounder in the boat per trip.i would be happy with 2 per man and longer season

 

[Mr. Twister]

May 29-Sept 26

I would vote for the latest season possible. I always enjoy fishing for flounder late in the season in the ocean. Also last time I checked 4 flounder over 18 or 18.5 puts plenty of meat on the table no reason to push for 6 fish.

 

[roadkill]

Thke the longest season possible. There are usually 3 or 4 guys on the boat.

 

[sjb saxatilis]

I would take a longer season and limit drop to 4 as well.

 

[B. Marley]

dropping to 4 would be fine with me which means 16 to bring home each trip.how much flounder can you eat? we had 1 four man limit all last season averaging 55 flounder in the boat per trip.i would be happy with 2 per man and longer season

I agree...4 man bag would be fine...I wouldnt mine a few more days tacked on the beginning and the end though.

 

[2fishes]

longest season:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[barrell]

Same here,Longest possible season is more important then size and bag limit.

 

[striper2278]

4 fish 17" would be nice!

but I'll take 18" 6 fish!

 

[aj bruno]

If you get another week of fishing but 4 instead of 6 fish.. doesn't make sense to me...

 

[LOOPY64]

I'm suprised that people would want a slightly longer season with a higher size limit. Once it goes up, it doesn't come back down and the higher it goes the more likely we are keeping females.

 

[rchipbrown]

Reducing the bag to 4 has virtually no impact. People rarely catch more than 4 keepers per day, so letting the handful that catch 6 in a day on that lucky day keep two extras is fine. Also, it helps the charter boats if people are can keep 6.

The only real issue as I see it is whether to increase the size to 18.5 to lengthen the season by roughly 3 weeks.

There is no option that involves reducing the size limit.

 

[JoeyZac]

Dropping the limit to 4 to only gain 6 days doesn't seem worth it to me.

To me the least bad of the 6 terrible option are #1 (18") or option 4 (18.5"). That works best for an ocean angler, but ain't so hot for the backbay guys.

 

[capemaychef]

this is where I start to get pissy and stubborn. There is NO way in hell you can tell me "it doesn'tmake any impact" sure it does!!! It's 2 less fish regardless how you look at it. The system is screwed to begin with and thats where my beef is. This isn't knocking charter guys...or guys who catch their limit, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT...but if you have a charter of 6 guys that fish twice a day through out the season that's 4 less fish per person...per charter per day....tally that up through out the season...and add it to the rec guy who goes out and does catch his limit that's 2 less fish per day...

Regardless how you try to sell it to me...taking 2 fish away and making it a 4 fish limit HAS to serve some "good" that being said...maybe it doesn't help with the BS system that's in place and there is my issue....

BTW I would rather be able to catch fish in April and May than in September and October...but that's me, I still say 4 fish at 16" is the best way to go....fix the system

Then again if we have to play by the silly rules of "not over fishing our quota" then this thing will be shut down by August because it will adventually turn into Sea Bass...some dickcheese will pull the plug because "we aren't reaching the magical number of impossibility"

 

[Bill Holzworth]

4 at 17.5 is my vote.......not that this is a Democracy....

Wait - IT IS A !!*&^## DEMOCRACY ! I love how these
aholes arbitrarily decide these regs completely disregarding science, economic impact and realistic data. And we sit around grateful for a 4 - 6 fish limit at 18"...... :bow:

 

[striper2278]

I'm suprised that people would want a slightly longer season with a higher size limit. Once it goes up, it doesn't come back down and the higher it goes the more likely we are keeping females.

Not always true John...rumor is that we are getting our slot fish back with stripers this year. There is always a chance!

 

[capemaychef]

Not always true John...rumor is that we are getting our slot fish back with stripers this year. !

That would be sweet!!!!

 

[West Ave Mike]

6 at 18" with opening day on Memorial weekend. Sure I'd like to start legally keeping Fluke a week earlier, but not at the expense of 2 fish for every angler in the state. It's not like there's a shortage of Fluke or anything, although it does get tough at times to find a keeper.

 

[rchipbrown]

The guy who wrote the memo for NJ said flat out in the memo that the 18in/6fish May 29-Sept 6 option "would be the most logical, obvious choice for NJ anglers." I think the decision is pretty much already made. NJ has gone over its quota for the last 4 years (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). Increasing the season length is evidently seen as just too risky.

 

[BigBassJim]

Ill take May 29th-Sept 26th. And a 4 man limit.