All entries by this author

NY’S Saltwater License: Where We are at the Moment

May 13th, 2009 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Articles, Conservation

I could write tens of thousands of words on this, but I’m going to keep it short as the weather is warm and the bass are in, and any editorial might ruin that wonderful feeling spring brings to anglers.   So here’s the skinny, and I’ll try and just stick to the facts (Note: if [...]




WHAT THE FLUKE?!

Feb 23rd, 2009 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

It’s likely that New York will have a very short season, very high minimum size and a very small bag limit for summer flounder (locally called fluke) in 2009, while in adjacent states’ regulations will be much more bearable. Party boat captains and the tackle industry in New York will undoubtedly suffer as anglers flock to such states with looser restrictions. It didn’t have to be that way.




CCA NY Comments on SW License

Jan 29th, 2009 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION NEW YORK RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS TO PROPOSED SALT WATER LICENSE West Babylon, NY—In comments addressed to New York Governor Patterson and provided to other leading administrative and legislative officials, Coastal Conservation Association New York recently recommended several improvements to the recreational salt water fishing license proposed by the Governor last month. Such comments [...]




NY’S LICENSE PROVISION FAILS IN ITS MOST IMPORTANT PURPOSE

Dec 30th, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

By Capt. John McMurray Governor Patterson’s proposed 2009-10 budget bill includes a provision to establish a recreational salt water fishing license. Indeed such a license is long overdue and if properly administered, we should support it. Such a pay-to-play system would immediately put a concrete figure on the number of saltwater anglers in New York. [...]




PROMINENT MAINE GUIDE (AND STRIPED BASS AP MEMBER) SOUNDS OFF ON BASS

Oct 27th, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

There’s been a lot of discussion on declining bass stocks on this site as well as plenty of others. After witnessing some of the epic bass blitzes this year in Montauk, it’s hard to believe that there could be a problem. But indeed there does appear to be one. If you are one of the [...]




SPIN POLITICS, IT AIN’T JUST FOR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS…

Oct 14th, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

It’s been over a month now since I saw the link-referenced letter to the Gloucester Daily Times regarding the “dissolving” of the New England Fishery Management Council. If that link dosen’t work on your computer, you can cut and paste this one into your browser: http://listserv.uri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0809&L=riseagrant-l&D=0&T=0&P=48. Sounds like pretty serious stuff right? But, of course [...]




ON BLUEFIN: CALLING IT LIKE I SEE IT

Sep 13th, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

By Capt. John McMurray Readers of this blog may or may not read my column in Fly Fishing in Saltwaters Magazine (FFSW). I’m not trying to promote it here, but I do want to point out the recent column on bluefin tuna: (http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/species/conservation/the-bluefin-dilemma-1000064910.html ) I’m told by the editors over at FFSW that it’s generating [...]




NEW REFERENCE POINTS FOR BASS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

Aug 22nd, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

If you’re an avid striper guy (my guess is you are if you are reading this) then by now I’ll bet you’ve seen the ASMFC press release regarding the new reference points for the striped bass fishery. If not, you can find it here: http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64183 Yeah, I know, it looks like it was written in [...]




FOR BETTER OR WORSE – BREAKING NEWS ON SUMMER FLOUNDER

Aug 5th, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

Just this week a summary report of the most recent Summer Flounder Stock Assessment Workshop was released. It’s a difficult read for a civilian but it looks as if the only real change is an increase in the natural mortality estimate (the number of fish that die from natural causes). It follows to reason that [...]




CIRCLEHOOKS AND ANGLER’S RIDICULOUS RELUCTANCE TO USE THEM

Jul 21st, 2008 | By Capt. John McMurray | Category: Conservation

Just getting in from what amounted to yet another good day of fishing in my neck of the woods. Without a doubt, this has been a good year so far and today was no exception. But to get back to the marina, I had to run the solemn course though the excessive crowd of boats. [...]