To: Mike Powers
Alright I was not going to get involved, but when I read this I couldn't help but
wonder - Who is killing all the fish. None of the fly fisherman I know, None of
the guides I know, and I'm starting to believe that more and more of the commercial
fisherman are taking a stronger view toward protecting the striped bass and blue fish.
Mike, I cannot agree with your comments more:
<<Charter does not equal commercial. The reason that charter captains want lower
size and increased bag limits is that charter customers seem to like to keep fish.>>
In my business I go out as a guest about three or four times a year with different
customers on a charter for stripers and blues. It involves mostly people who have
never fly fished or even recreationally cast a line in the salt. The mate baits,
casts and trolls the umbrella rig until theres a strike and than hands em the
pole. There only required to put down there sandwich and beer and reel in the fish
while someone takes there picture. Their fish always go in the locker. And yes
I've tried, as much as a guest can, to discourage this and encourage catch and
release, but every, no exception, captain has enouraged there customers to take
it home. Why? Is it the tip related to filleting? Than we need to ecourage tipping
for releasing fish.
In every outing there were more fish killed (10-15) average than I or any body else that I know of
has killed in several years of fishing. Blues were taken more but the striped bass is always a target.
When is this group going to take on responsibility?
I firmly believe today that if the recreational fisheman kill 75% of the bass they
must comprise more than 50%.
Mike T
<<There is still a sizable sentiment afloat that the day has not been a success if you don't bring home some meat. >>
Why is this?