ECO

New Striped Bass Regulations

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Striped Bass Board decided Wednesday to address the sharply declining numbers of striped bass along the Atlantic seaboard, including the Chesapeake Bay, by requiring an 18 percent harvest reduction relative to 2017 levels.

Approved sub-options included allowing, within established seasons, 1 fish per angler per day between 28 and 35 inches in ocean waters. Public comment on this sub-option had supported, by a more than 4-1 ratio, setting a 1 fish limit with a minimum size of 35 inches. In the Chesapeake Bay, the approved sub-option was limiting anglers to 1 fish per day with a minimum size limit of 18 inches. It passed with by a 12-3 vote.

There was also a question about whether circle hooks should be mandatory when fishing with bait. Max Appelman, striper fishery management plan coordinator for ASMFC, told commissioners there was “little doubt that circle hooks save fish.” Circle hooks reduce fish mortality from “deep hooking” as the fish swallows the bait. Of the 5,003 comments received by the public related to circle hooks, 4,930 were in favor of their mandatory use.

The board approved unanimously the option requiring states to implement regulations requiring use of circle hooks with the intent of reducing striped bass release mortality in recreational fisheries.

The ASMFC board set Nov. 30, 2019 as the due date for draft implementation plans. The board will act on those plans in February 2020 with final regulations in place by April 1, 2020. The circle hook requirements must be in place by January 2021, ostensibly to allow charter outfits and bait and tackle shops to swap out gear and stock assortments.

New York Fishing Reports

Awesome day

Got out the morning with my buddy, we had 4 keeper blackfish today 2 fish at 17 a 18, and a just under 19, countless throwbacks and even lost a few nice fish had one at boat had to be easy 8 lb fish, that’s how it goes sometimes, great day with the weather and the fish were chewing hard. Till next time all stay safe out there.

3 Day TNT 8/31-9/3 Viking FiveStar Fishing

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We had another excellent trip offshore over Labor Day weekend! We got our limit of Yellow fin from 30-80lbs a decent mess of Golden and grey tiles with some pollock, hake and barrel fish mixed in, a handful of mahi and a beauty sword that weighed in at 220lbs! Day one we managed 7 nice yellows on the troll and didn’t do any bottom fishing due to the unfavorable conditions. That night we picked a few yellows early then fought the sword for a good while and as soon as he was on the deck the yellows attacked! From 3am thru sun up we had non stop action on the bait and jigs with fish jumping all around the boat after first light. Mid morning we got back on troll and picked a couple small yellows that we released and then we put the afternoon in bottom fishing. We still didn’t have idea conditions but we managed a nice catch. At sundown the guys were worn out and agreed to go in early rather then fish the second night to play catch and release. Over all another great trip with a good group of guys. Congrats to our regular customer Bruce Wahl who did a hell of a job on the rod with the sword!
With hurricane Dorian coming our way later this week we will not be getting back offshore until the beginning of next week. This break will give us some time for our regular maintenance and a trip to Trophy Fishing Tackle -www.trophytackle.com / www.tunafishtackle.com to load up on chunking tackle!
We have a couple openings on some trips in the end of the month but they are filling up quick! We also have our fall bottom fishing trips starting in October and the weekend trips are filling up fast!! Give us a call at the office for all bookings before it’s too late!

(631)668-5700
We also have the new T-shirt’s in at the office but only in limited numbers and they are going quick!

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