Captain's Table - One less Fish Dinner!

captmike28

Well-Known Angler
Had the Jay party join me today for a half day Fluke/Striped Bass combo trip. Jay is one lucky guy as this is the second straight year, he has won the Ward Melville Outdoor Show raffle for the free half day trip on my boat!

Following a couple of very breezy days we had much quieter conditions this morning with a steady, light easterly breeze. Started off Fluking in the bay working the numbers that have been producing consistently for me the last 2 weeks. With the wind vs. tide situation, we had a real problem getting past a huge number of birds today. Although the crew toughed it out and dd manage to land 10 Fluke only one was just barely a 19” keeper.

So, as the flood tide began to build, we headed east to Plum Gut hoping to get past the Blues and land a keeper Bass. On the second drift we had a double hook up with one of the fish being a large Blue. However, the other fish gave Jay a powerful deep battle characteristic of a nice Striper. Soon I was slipping the net under what is now the start of what I envision to be many heartbreak moments thanks to our new regulations. The fish wound up measuring 33” and a fish that was legal just 2 days ago now had to be returned. We did manage to hook and land 5 more large Blues into the 10-12# class but that was the only Bass we saw today. Sorry, but as much as I want to do my part with the conservation efforts to protect the Stripers, this new regulation just seems way too draconian for my taste.

The crew were quite understanding and had a nice time playing catch and release for this trip. However, I still feel there must be a better way for both the fisherman and fish to reach a happy medium where we protect the resource and still get a chance to enjoy at least one decent fresh fish dinner for all our efforts.

I have a string of consulting jobs coming up next week so I will be off the water until the July 4th Holiday weekend. Good luck and tight lines to all those who can wet a line this coming week.

62323jaybass.webp
 
I do not like the new slot limit regulations either. I think a 31 inch and lower would be better.
It does seem almost criminal to spend that much time, money, and effort and not be allowed to keep even a single fish to eat. This will have a very negative effect on the "For Hire" industry.

I must say that despite it being a calm and dry Friday in June the number of boats working for Bass late morning today was way down form what I typically see. Think there is a connection to the new restrictions? :unsure:
 
It does seem almost criminal to spend that much time, money, and effort and not be allowed to keep even a single fish to eat. This will have a very negative effect on the "For Hire" industry.
I'm afraid you're correct, and with porgies becoming the "staple" of the For Hire Fleet, any severe regulatory restrictions there would be devastating.
 
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I want to thank Mike again for a nice day on the water. Eileen, Madeline, Bill, and I enjoyed Mike's company. He is a great captain that knows his stuff. His rig is a pleasure to fish from. Although the fluking was a little slow bucktailing the Gut ended the day on a high note. Thanks Mike!

regards Holty
 
Like I said I have done numerous trips this season and doing quite well with bass, however fish in the 28” to 31” were few and far between most fish we had were over 31” to 35” as far as keepers then there were the fish way over in the 40” I didn’t mind releasing those fish as we had slot fish for dinner now those dinner fish are gonna be rare
 
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