When will we learn?
As I sit here writing this, I am perplexed. Perplexed that the ASMFC concludes that striped bass are not overfished. Perplexed at the continued party boat fishing that is allowed, where vessels with 30 passengers, limit out 3 times a day. Perplexed at the continued selfishness and disrespect anglers have when handling our seven striped friends.
I encourage you to continue to speak up, educate yourself, and involve yourself with conservation-minded individuals who are looking to protect this valuable species. Why is it, that something we love to pursue and brings us so much joy, we treat with such little respect? Because we need the perfect picture to gain fame on social media or we need to keep our limit in order to gloat to family and friends?
After all, this is the egocentric, humanistic instincts kicking in. We are at the top of the food chain and we keep what we want, when we want in order to provide for ourselves, right? Truth is, with that continued mindset, we soon will no longer be able to target striped bass as the population is on the brink of never making a comeback.
Remember the young-of-year class that was just reported…3.62. The average should be around 15.
Let that sink in…
Meanwhile, the state of Massachusetts continues to allow the commercial harvest of striped bass. Remember what I said earlier….egocentric, humanistic instincts….only in it for the monetary value. Theodore Roosevelt would be ashamed.
I fear it is too late, however, I will remain optimistic. This past season was my best yet, both in size and numbers, which gives some sign of hope for the future. Until then, keep up the work by doing all you can to protect this species.
I encourage you to:
· Use single hooks/inline singles
· Crush your treble hooks if you must continue to use them
· Avoid the Boga grip and only use it while the fish is in the water (do not suspend the fish vertically)
By holding the fish vertically and avoiding the boga grip, we can minimize damage to the fish.
· Beef up on your gear in order to limit fight time/exhaustion to the fish
· Keep the fish in the water for as long as possible (avoid exposure to the air)
Single hooks and crushed barbs made for a quick and easy release on this late October bass
· Avoid the fleet (fish new areas/locations that are less pressured, give those fish a break elsewhere and find some new fish to chase after)…MAKE REPORTS, DON’T CHASE THEM.
I also encourage you to reach out to your town’s conservation department in the Spring to assist with river herring monitoring. Many towns are looking for volunteers to count herring, which play a vital role within our marine fisheries.
Visit these informative links below to get involved and continue improving your catch-and-release practices.
https://www.menhadendefenders.org/
https://surfcasting7stripes.com/blogs/news/striped-bass-catch-and-release-tactics
https://www.onthewater.com/striper-fishermen-crush-it-this-season
https://www.stripersforever.org/
We still have a solid 3 weeks of fishing left before the season is “over”. Get out while you can. It ain’t over yet.
Tight lines
