Striped bass

[Joe D]

[SIZE=+0]Stripers Forever believes wild striped bass should be declared a game fish throughout its range along the Atlantic Coast.

Free membership in Stripers Forever at www.stripersforever.org



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[Kilgour Farms]

I've seen and caught a couple of strippers in the mainstem around Equinunk. Friend caught a 21" on a dry fly this past week.

You can see them swimming all over the place.

 

[ROLLCAST86]

As an avid surf striper fisherman. I would love to see that

 

[golden beetle]

I've seen and caught a couple of strippers in the mainstem around Equinunk.

You can see them swimming all over the place.

Strippers are swimming in the mainstem around Equinunk? I'm there!

You catch em on a funny money fly?

 

[trico mike]

Without some type of protection, and the way all of these big spawner bass are being killed the stripper fishery will crash in the next few years. Please practice catch and release and get involved to help protect the stripper fishery. You wouldn't kill a 20 inch prime spawning wild trout why kill a 50 pound 25 year old bass the carries up to 5 million eggs. Protect the future of this incredible GAME FISH.

 

[Ryan R]

Without some type of protection, and the way all of these big spawner bass are being killed the stripper fishery will crash in the next few years. Please practice catch and release and get involved to help protect the stripper fishery. You wouldn't kill a 20 inch prime spawning wild trout why kill a 50 pound 25 year old bass the carries up to 5 million eggs. Protect the future of this incredible GAME FISH.

The problem is not with the average recreational striper angler. Personally, I've put way more back than I take, but I enjoy eating my own fresh-caught striper from time to time. Striper is good eats! Practice selective harvest.

 

[trico mike]

The problem is not with the average recreational striper angler. Personally, I've put way more back than I take, but I enjoy eating my own fresh-caught striper from time to time. Striper is good eats! Practice selective harvest.

In fact the problem has become more of the recreational than anything. Who are the guys during the spring bunker run who are killing all these big fish. I'm not saying that you can't keep a fish or two , but when you see all of these giant cow bass being killed day in and day out it's very disturbing. Many of these fishing club guys just keep the fish to get their points then they throw the fish away. It's a disgrace to see giant bass laying dead in the marinas that are not even being cleaned to eat. There should be a slot limit to protect the breeding stock of bass. Ryan, if it is not the recreational fisherman doing this then who is it?

 

[Ryan R]

Uh, maybe the commercial boats have a little to do with it? I've honestly never seen cow striper after cow striper laying dead in a marina just thrown away. I see them cleaned and in coolers on their way to the grill. There is a slot limit (I thought you fished for them) and you're allowed two fish, and only one trophy-size striper. Some charters can get a bonus tag that allows you a 3rd fish. I'm pretty sure a lot more are caught in commercial nets either targeted or as by-catch (and by-catch fish are usually dead fish I believe.) Do you actually have experience fishing for them or is this all based on assumption or hearsay? I think the baitfish(bunker) populations crashing (see again commercial trawlers) is what worries striper experts regarding the future of the striper population.

BTW, strippers dance on poles, stripers swim in the ocean and major rivers.

In fact the problem has become more of the recreational than anything. Who are the guys during the spring bunker run who are killing all these big fish. I'm not saying that you can't keep a fish or two , but when you see all of these giant cow bass being killed day in and day out it's very disturbing. Many of these fishing club guys just keep the fish to get their points then they throw the fish away. It's a disgrace to see giant bass laying dead in the marinas that are not even being cleaned to eat. There should be a slot limit to protect the breeding stock of bass. Ryan, if it is not the recreational fisherman doing this then who is it?

 

[trico mike]

Uh, yes I actually fish for them. I live on the coast and spend about 200 days a year fishing for them. Uh, ''slot limit" your aloud two fish over28 inches and the bonus tag is for another. I figure your from pa and either the regulations are diffrent or your just an idiot, probably the later. AS for seeing dead fish I have seen it on more then few occassions. I also know that many striper fisherman have the attitude that they can keep over there limit any time they want. I also see this on a nightly basis in the fall. Alot of guys who are my friends do this even though I try to educate them. You can blame the commercial guys for alot of fish population crashes fluke, weakfish, blackfish to name a few but when the stripers crash again it won't be the commercial guys fault this time like it was in the 70's. Why is it such a bad thing to try to make the striper a game fish, and to have one set of regulations throughout it's migratory range. Do we really want what happend in the 70's to happen again or is history destin to repeat itself. One more thing. How often do you get out for them? JUst asking because it really sound like you have no clue. Maybe AK is right you should head back over to girl scout trout!!!

 

[trico mike]

ONE last thing. When was the last time you have seen stripers that weren't farm raised for sale in stores? UH, probably not since before the moratorium in the 70's. Do you know why? Uh, because it is illegal to sell stripers on the commercial market. I guess your the one that is speaking on ASSumption :give-the-finger: Just so you know commercal netting of stripers is illegal.

 

[Montauklax]

While the commercial guys hold some blame I see the recreational anglers just as culpable for what could be an impending crash. What goes on every May-July off Ocean and Monmouth counties is disgusting. The amount of 30lb + fish taken is absurd. Nobody needs to take home 2 cows to feed their family.

In addition to the fish taken home for table fare and as trophies you need to consider angling mortality. Fishing 10/0 snag hooks is not conducive to catch and release fishing. Are there other issues stressing the populations? Certainly. The Chesapeake is turning into a dead zone, bait is disappearing, and the management of the second largest striper nursery(Hudson Watershed) is abysmal.

To be honest, I see no sport in snagging a bunker, letting it swim and reeling in a gut-hooked bass on 65 pound braid. I did it once and I can assure you I will never do it again.

 

[Ryan R]

It's allowed and latter.

You can't spell for shit but I'm an idiot? How the eff should I know where you live I thought you lived in the LV (name is trico mike, often post about the LL or Saucon.) The regs I was talking about were for the Jersey Shore, there is a slot limit, regardless of your opinion on its effectivenesss. Go back to thinking dams on the Bushkill are good for trout(yeah you remember that?) You don't even know what your saying half the time, I NEVER SAID IT WAS A BAD THING TO MAKE THE STRIPER A GAMEFISH I SUPPORT THAT FULLY (and I believe it is a gamefish in several states) If you know so much why not share that info? I've never seen big stripers laying in a marina going to waste, i fished out of Point Pleasant. If I had seen it I would have reported it instead of crying about it here.

Last striper I saw was on the end of my line and released back into the Delaware. Before that it was the two I took home for the grill. One of about 25lbs and the other a slot. Sorry I killed them all. I was 6 in 1979, feel better Captain Geritol?

 

[trico mike]

Look at the regulations and tell me were there is a slot limit.2 fish 28 inches or over is not a slot limit. They did away with the 24 - 28 slot limit a few years ago. As far as keeping fish I 'am not opposed to it within moderation. When did I ever say keeping the dams on the bushkill-was good idea. I would like you to find the post so everyone here can see it. Oh yeah you can't because I never did, once again more lies from someone who is clueless. I due rember asking you if it would be a good idea to take the dam out on the saucon but that is it. Once again get your facts straight.

 

[trico mike]

One thing I forgot I hope that ''slot'' fish you kept was a couple of years ago when those regulations were in effect if not the fish was illegal. Good job.

 

[Ryan R]

One thing I forgot I hope that ''slot'' fish you kept was a couple of years ago when those regulations were in effect if not the fish was illegal. Good job.

Yes it was several years ago on a charter out of Point Pleasant. I am very much a legal angler so please don't try to suggest otherwise. Anything else you forgot, other than replying like a complete asshole? Yuo started down this road, I thought I originally posted respectfully to somebody I thought was from near me and not the JS. Go back and read the posts, you jumped all over me.

Regarding the dams, I'm pretty sure you PM'd me and said something to the effect "I've heard that removing dams hurts the trout fishing in these areas." I replied to you kindly and gave some evidence from current dam removals that showed trout populations increased. I didn't realize the conversation was only about one dam, but dams in general (considering your question to me was prompted by a post I made regarding the Bushkill efforts.)

Good day sir.

 

[Ryan R]

I'm only putting this PM here because you asked (I would never do that to somebody otherwise.) This was your PM:

"Just wondering if you have heard anything about the removal of the dam on the saucon and the planned stream improvements from the dam up to the 78. Glad to see that they didn't do the work during spawning. Also I hear mixed things about the dam removal some good and some not so good. I hear that it is mainly to keep the football field from flooding and that they are planning to take out the island below the dam wich will widen and shallow the stream there. Any thoughts? Maybe I'll see you up there once I get back from erie I'll be there every weekend until october(blue chevy pickup white cap) Tight lines Mike"

Sorry, I didn't think it was solely about one dam on the Saucon (which I knew nothing about) since it was prompted I believe by a post of mine on the Bushkill. I guess I was wrong. I do recall I gave you good general information on dam removal in a polite manner. Dams like that exascerbate flooding problems not reduce them.

Tight lines. (If you like, it's your turn to post some fu's and "you don't have clues.") Thank you again for ripping my head off.

 

[trico mike]

IF you notice the reason I had asked was because the plans I had heard were to take out the island below the dam wich would have made the stream much wider and if you also noticed you really didn't even know what dam I was talking about. I thought you fished there? I'm still waiting for the post about the dams on the bushkill that I said should not come down. OH yeah there was no post! Just so everyone is clear The regulations for striped bass are 2 fish 28 inches or over with a bonus tag availible to harvest one more bass 28 inches or over NO SLOT LIMIT.

 

[Ryan R]

IF you notice the reason I had asked was because the plans I had heard were to take out the island below the dam wich would have made the stream much wider and if you also noticed you really didn't even know what dam I was talking about. I thought you fished there? I'm still waiting for the post about the dams on the bushkill that I said should not come down. OH yeah there was no post! Just so everyone is clear The regulations for striped bass are 2 fish 28 inches or over with a bonus tag availible to harvest one more bass 28 inches or over NO SLOT LIMIT.

What made you think I fished there? Don't think I ever mentioned it I fished it maybe twice. Did you want info on "your stream" and assume that I must be a local guy and would know?

But while you are bashing me here, do you even realize I'm in a fight to help protect your precious city park fishing area from a real threat? It is a proposal to put a fish hatchery there in the old raceways of the park. First it was a trout hatchery proposal which I was very much involved with other area TU chapters in killing that proposal. Most recently it is now a shad hatchery proposal. So please enjoy fishing there every weekend into October. I don't really fish it but I'll just keep writing letters of opposition and trying to educate the city officials in Bethlehem of why it's a horrible idea (ie. a prolific wild trout stream exists.)

Taking out the island would not necessarily widen and shallow the stream. Combined with the dam removal, quite the contrary. A restoration plan would be too tighten it up some and improve the flow.

 

[trico mike]

Good keep up the fight now if we could only do something about the poaching the world would be a better place. But this thread was not about the saucon or dams it was about stripers and it was pretty childish of you to put up a PM ( PRIVATE MESSAGE ) of mine and it really didn't prove your point anyway.

 

[Ryan R]

Good keep up the fight now if we could only do something about the poaching the world would be a better place. But this thread was not about the saucon or dams it was about stripers and it was pretty childish of you to put up a PM ( PRIVATE MESSAGE ) of mine and it really didn't prove your point anyway.

Childish? You asked me to. I said it I thought it was a PM and you said post the message for everyone to see. I even explained that I wouldn't normally ever do that to someone, only because you asked.

Did you miss the first sentence? "I'm only putting this PM here because you asked (I would never do that to somebody otherwise.)"

Fight your own fight, I don't fish the Saucon. We could use the help of all the anglers that regularly fish it. A polite, informative letter to the Bethlehem Mayor or City Council highlighting the fact it is a wild trout stream and the hatchery effluent would kill it, the enormous maintenance and operations cost of running a hatchery, etc. would be nice.

Glad I could bust my ass for your enjoyment, while you call me childish for posting something you asked me to.

 

[trico mike]

Well I guess you want to keep going so here it is. I asked you to find a post about how I don't know the destuctive nature of dams.You couldn't. I asked you to find a post not a PM ( PERSONAL MESSAGE) were I said it was a good Idea to keep the dams on the bushkill you could't. You could only find a PM were i asked you about a specific dam on a specific river were the planners seemed not to have the best interests of the creek in mind. Those were my concerns. You said alot of things about me and my knowledge of fishing that were false and I was just trying to prove my point. I thought we had worked this out but I guess not. Once again this thread was about stripers and trying to protect them nothing else. BTW, yeah my spelling sucks sometimes but to make fun is kinda well childish.

 

[Ryan R]

I'm sorry I hurt your feelings with a simple crack on your spelling after you hit me with post after post of fu's and other insults. I told you I thought it was a PM and I'm sorry between your multiple posts after each one of mine and your PMs I couldn't keep up with the proper sequence, I thought you wanted me to post it then. Besides it didn't make you look bad because I had originally missed one word when I read the sentence "I've heard good and bad things about removing THAT dam." I missed that and originally read it as ".... removing dams" (which I just explained my mistake to you in a PM.) Thus the general facts on dam removal I gave you originally rather than anything about the Saucon dam because I knew almost nothing about it. So I guess I apologize for NOT making you look stupid.

The planners absolutely have the best interests of the creek in mind. You're making some wrong assumptions about good people trying to help "your stream." The dam and island make the stream wider and shallower not its removal. Dams widen stream banks and "islands" split channels and can cut into the stream bank widening it. You want that main channel restored for the creek to get deeper and swifter, not splintered. Hey, you fish it a ton, I just try to join an effort to restore it and also save it from destruction.

I realize it was about stripers and you tried to make it seem like I didn't support stripers as gamefish when I absolutely do. Let's remember you came on the attack after my first post. I did not fire the first shot.

Sir, I apologize anyway and I'm done, you can have the last word.

 

[trico mike]

Water under the bridge all is forgiven . I would also like to apologize on the board for all to see.

 

[Ryan R]

Ok now that you and I've cleared the air and it's all Kumbaya again here. Let's talk stripers again (I promise not to forget the slot limit was dropped a couple years ago)

Up until this year I had subscribed to The Fisherman and it there were a # of good articles over the recent years in it regarding population concerns, AMF, etc. with fluke, stripers, etc. Anyway the term I was trying to remember this whole time I think was "reduction boats" and that these things were having a big impact (I beleive down in & around the Chesapeake) on the baitfish #s which are very much linked to the success of gamefish like stripers. I'm really curious to know what you and Montauklax think about that? And if I got my term correct? Do you guys, and anyone else that fishes for them regularly, also firmly believe that the recreational limit of only 2 fish over 28 inches (and in certain cases a bonus 3rd) is having that much of a negative affect on stripers compared to ther factors? Do you guys believe the the old limit that included the slot(24-27 I think) where you could take I believe it was 1 slot fish and 1 trophy, plus another bonus trophy in some cases was working much better?

Also it's my understanding that the striper is considered a gamefish in certain Atlantic states in its range but not all of them? Thus, while it is illegal to commerically net them and sell them in states like NJ, NY and others (even PA I think) it is legal in at least Virginia I believe and there is a small commercial season for them. Is this correct?

I'm honestly really interested in this, I think stripers are awesome fish both for sport and as occasional fresh-caught table fare and support any measure that protects their #s from another crash.

 

[trico mike]

Well now that we got all the B.S. out of the way let's talk some turkey. The problem with the reduction boats are that they kill to many game fish and bait fish that are used not for human consumption but for pet foods, paints and all other types of crap. These guys really knock the crap out of the weak fish and when people wonder were all the weakies are the scientists say there in a down cycle. With the 1 mile ban on bunker netting the increase of this baitfish is tremendous. Yes there is a limited commercial season on bass in the chesapeake and other sounds ,but it's effects( depending on who you talk to ) are minimal. The bigger problem is it allows the commercial guys to keep one foot in the door. These guys have the resources and lobbyists to catch the political guys ears. It was more never clear when the proposal to open a commercial season for bass in waters 3 miles offshore. Luckily it was defeated, but it just goes to show how relentless they are. They have overfished many stocks of fish and now they are trying to go after the bass wich are on the rebound. I could go on all day about commercial fisherman. As far as the slot limit I'm in favor of a slot limit but to me the regulations should be some thing like 1 fish 28-36 with 2or 3 bonus tags a year for one fish over 36. The old limit of 24-28 put to much pressure on the population. It is not to hard to go out any given day and catch a 24 inch bass ( I got 3 tonight). My views may be a little extreme but I feel bass need protecting. It amazes me how far we have come to protect trout and the waters they swim in, but yet there seem to be an attitude that the ocean has a endless bounty of fish. My last point will be if you don't think recreational fisherman can crash a fishery you only need to look at what happened to duck hunting. the commercial guys killed the populations then the goverment stepped in and banned all commercial hunting( sound familiar) The populations rebounded and the hunting in the 60's and early 70's was to good to be true. Then with a loss of breeding grounds and over harvest from hunters the populations crashed again. Yes they are on the rebound now but the glory days ars gone and the populations will never achieve there former status. Don't let it happen to the bass. One more thing to keep in mind is the larger the bass the more pcb's mercury and other toxins it has in it. So much so that the goverment recomends that pregnant or nursing mothers not eat any bass. Think about that before you throw that second 30 pounder in the cooler. Get involved and stay involved.

 

[Ryan R]

Thanks for your thoughts and insight, much aprreciated. It's not that I don't believe recreational fisherman can deplete a resource, I honestly was not aware they were having much affect on the stripers now.

Interesting you mention ducks, I just picked up my PA hunting license and was looking thru the digest and saw stats posted on various game species from 1990 and again in 2007. They also showe stats for hunter #s for each species during these two years. Every harvest figure & hunter # was down compared to 1990, except for ducks and geese(reported seperately). The harvest #s were like a 150% increase which does back up a lot of reports that actually waterfowling is very strong thanks to all the attention and preservation of breeding grounds and wetlands (which is amazing because we've still lost a lot of wetlands. The geese harvest #s and hunter#s showed the greatest increase. The duck harvest #s increased a good deal but not like the geese (in PA and many other states both Canada geese and Snow geese are becoming pests as much as they are gamebirds), and duck hunter #s are actually -4% (the lowest decrease in hunter #s by species) of what they were in 1990. But certain species of ducks are defintely not as abundant as they historically and a few species have increased and "replaced" them I think.