Sea Bass Update from ASMFC, optimism for NY?

[longcast]

Well, for me, I was hoping for 15" or 15-1/2' on the Sea Bass BUT if an opening date of 5/16 is correct, I'm hopeful that gives me at least a chance to get out there in my area and catch some before all the pirates, pinhookers, etc. get to take them all.

5 bluefish is helpful because I can fill the smoker with 10 fillets on 1 trip rather than needing to do it in 2 trips

You will be late as pirate season occurs BEFORE the open.

 

[Chinacat]

My HOPE is that since its 5/16 vs 6/23 there wont be as many pirates on the water for the season yet
Wishful thinking on my part and the only minimally optimistic take I can put on this nonsense

 

[OVERBORED]

They basically ignored the data. No other way to explain these "crumbs" they've given the public.

We're also seeing a not so subtle separation of user groups.

 

[hawk375]

ASMFC will destroy fishing industry if your state allows them too.New York should have put up a fight like Maine and New Hampshire did last year with lobster how do you allow smaller size limits in New jersey and Conn that fish the same waters we do and the customers from our state easily can go and fish from there

 

[Snapprhead27]

ASMFC will destroy fishing industry if your state allows them too.New York should have put up a fight like Maine and New Hampshire did last year with lobster how do you allow smaller size limits in New jersey and Conn that fish the same waters we do and the customers from our state easily can go and fish from there

If you watched any of the meeting prior to this one. It seemed like they could care less.

 

[hartattack]

NJMFC SETS 2026 AND 2027 SEA BASS REGULATIONS, minimum size remains 12.5":
At the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council Meeting on 3/26/26 the council set the recreational sea bass regulations as follows:
10 fish May 15 – June 21
1 fish June 22 – Sept 22
10 fish Sept 23 – Oct 31
15 fish Nov 1 – Dec 31
The season will open on 5/15, which is two days earlier than last year. The one fish season begins on 6/22 and extends through September22 before the ten fish season begins on 9/23. That means no closed season, other than prior to 5/15. It also aallows NJ to keep ten seabass during the last three days of fluke season. Further, it closes the gap from when fluke season ends until sea bass season begins.

 

[longcast]

NJMFC SETS 2026 AND 2027 SEA BASS REGULATIONS, minimum size remains 12.5":
At the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council Meeting on 3/26/26 the council set the recreational sea bass regulations as follows:
10 fish May 15 – June 21
1 fish June 22 – Sept 22
10 fish Sept 23 – Oct 31
15 fish Nov 1 – Dec 31
The season will open on 5/15, which is two days earlier than last year. The one fish season begins on 6/22 and extends through September22 before the ten fish season begins on 9/23. That means no closed season, other than prior to 5/15. It also aallows NJ to keep ten seabass during the last three days of fluke season. Further, it closes the gap from when fluke season ends until sea bass season begins.

Well done on the hard work to get your share of the pie!

 

[Snapprhead27]

What's the reasoning behind the 1 fish for those 3 months?

 

[hawk375]

how do the party boats, bait stores and recreational fisherman in New York keep letting ASMFC get away with these regulations that seem to violate our rights

 

[Chinacat]

12-1/2” and 10 fish
Make this make sense compared to NY

 

[hawk375]

you can not

 

[hartattack]

What's the reasoning behind the 1 fish for those 3 months?

By-catch during Fluke Season to reduce mortality rate for throwbacks. Many wanted to increase that from 1 to 2, but the for-hire industry preferred longer season...

 

[Snapprhead27]

By-catch during Fluke Season to reduce mortality rate for throwbacks. Many wanted to increase that from 1 to 2, but the for-hire industry preferred longer season...

Ahhh ok