NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

NJ Saltwater Fisherman => Fisheries Management => Topic started by: The dropoff on March 23, 2011, 07:43:19 AM

Title: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: The dropoff on March 23, 2011, 07:43:19 AM
2010 Target = 997,000 fish      Preliminary 2010 Harvest Estimate = 593,677 fish

2010 Regulations: 18” size limit; 6-fish bag limit; 
open season from May 29 to Sept 6 (101 days)

2011 Target = 1,335,000 fish



1. 18 inches   8 Bag limit  Season  May 14 – Sept 18   Days Open 128  Liberalization 62%

2. 18 inches   8 Bag limit  Season  May 7 – Sept 25     Days Open 142  Liberalization 77%

3. 17.5 / 18 inches   1 / 5 bag limit   Season   May 21 – Sept 5  Days Open 108  Liberalization  81%

4.  17 / 18 inches   1 / 5  Bag limit  Season  May 28 – August 28  Days Open 93   Liberalization  81%


Option 3 with the dual size limit of 17.5 / 18 inches 1 / 5 fish reads as follows:

1-fish greater than or equal to 17.5-inches plus 5-fish greater than or equal to 18-inches


NJ 2011 Summer Flounder Recreational Management Options
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: wb on March 23, 2011, 12:22:32 PM
IMO #1 seems like a loser compared to the other 3.

#4 season too short, not even 'til Labor Day. Altho w/ 1 @ 17" I would have had zero skunks last year....

I'd vote #2 or #3, better yet combine the season of 2 with the bag limit of 3.

Hopefully with the price of fuel we'll be able to get out at all.

Catch 'em up!!!
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Reckless on March 23, 2011, 01:11:35 PM
I would go for #2 simply cause it is the longest. I don't need 8 fish though.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Fishin Dude on March 23, 2011, 01:21:46 PM
 #2 with 142 days gets my nod as well. (All of those shorts and deep hooked shorts from last year survived and became smart enough to have eluded the commercial drag nets, so there should larger fish this year  :headscra: ) <'((((><
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: bugmannj on March 23, 2011, 01:50:39 PM
#2 would get my vote also but i would like to see the slot and maybe 5 instead of 8
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: gymrat987654321 on March 23, 2011, 01:56:10 PM
#3 t^
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: IrishAyes on March 23, 2011, 03:48:06 PM
Number 2 for me.  cfzd Option number 2 that is.  ;D

I can't see one fish a half inch shorter (as in option number 3) is worth a thirty four day shorter season. That's more than a month less of fishing.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Kenny on March 23, 2011, 04:12:49 PM
 whs   Would rather have the longer season...
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Noworries2009 on March 23, 2011, 04:33:47 PM
whs   Would rather have the longer season...
You and I think alike on this one. Many days are always lost to weather. Especially during hurricane season. Bag limits are rarely the problem in making up the options as most average 2 fish per trip with 18" limit . Looks good when you say 8 fish but rarely will it happen.I 'd love October too if we could drop the bag limit to get it but we'd overfish the quota. The surf and inlets give up some nice fish at that time. Give us Sept. this year and maybe next year Oct  ;D
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Reckless on March 23, 2011, 05:13:24 PM
Someone explain to me why the longest season #2 has 8 fish limit? Shouldn't it be less with the longer season? Or is their math different than everyone else.  :headscra: 5hrug
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: IrishAyes on March 23, 2011, 05:19:55 PM
The regulators have determined that the average catch for the typical fisherman per trip it 1-2 keepers. Therefore, they could make the limit twenty at eighteen inches and it would not make a difference in the catch figure, you would still only catch 1-2 keeper fish.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Reckless on March 23, 2011, 05:41:34 PM
 So I guess the 8 is just in case you get lucky. I guess they do not have much confidence in our fishing ability.  rofla rofla
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Noworries2009 on March 23, 2011, 05:46:46 PM
The regulators have determined that the average catch for the typical fisherman per trip it 1-2 keepers. Therefore, they could make the limit twenty at eighteen inches and it would not make a difference in the catch figure, you would still only catch 1-2 keeper fish.
;D I keep a log and last season......... YOU are right.  17 trips 35 keepers and only 2 limits of 6 fish.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Pops Soul on March 23, 2011, 06:59:42 PM
At 4-5 dollars per gallon for fuel the 17.5 fish may entice the vote. I like the longer season myself. No matter how you toss the salad they are expensive fillets.... rgmn rgmn
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Noworries2009 on March 23, 2011, 08:48:52 PM
Where I fish I see a lot of 17.5" fish. If we drop it they'll all get caught then no 18"ers. Leave it at 18" and let us all fish in Sept when the 17.5 in summer  are big enough. Or something like that !!!!  Threw back lots of keeper size fluke on the beach in Sept/Oct after the season closed the last few years. 5hrug ;D
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: ChrisL on March 23, 2011, 09:49:24 PM
I like the late season. 
As Noworries said, it would give the landlocked fishermen and chance. 
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Tacklebox Joe on March 23, 2011, 09:58:44 PM
I like the late season. 
As Noworries said, it would give the landlocked fishermen and chance. 
whs
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Noworries2009 on March 23, 2011, 10:07:34 PM
I like the late season. 
As Noworries said, it would give the landlocked fishermen and chance. 
whs

My log only tracks the kayak and a few party boat trips and a single charter. I didn't count the inlet/surf where I added another 6 hard earned keepers.In the surf/inlet  I had lots of nice fluke last fall that were released  and in 09 too !!!! Lots of the guys did too !!!!
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Tacklebox Joe on March 23, 2011, 10:21:52 PM
 whs

John, caught more keepers after the season than during season ...so did other guys I know.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on March 23, 2011, 10:49:32 PM
2 for me.. longer the season the better
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Bottom Dweller on March 24, 2011, 12:17:25 AM
2 for me too
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: SurfJockey on March 24, 2011, 08:38:53 AM

caught more keepers after the season than during season ...so did other guys I know.

Yup.  2 would be a good choice for the guys on the sand.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Hunter 2 on March 25, 2011, 08:11:11 AM
#2 please.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: blackadder on March 25, 2011, 08:35:33 AM
Well......

Since 3 of the 4 legal flatties caught by myself and kids last year were caught on a Sept 11th Sea Bass trip and had to go back as out of season I vote for the longer season option of #2. Although I would give up the 8 fish bag for a smaller bag with a single smaller slot fish but that is not a option......

Chris
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Uncle Luna on March 25, 2011, 03:20:20 PM
#2 with shrimp fried rice.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Kenny on March 25, 2011, 06:51:10 PM
whs   Would rather have the longer season...
You and I think alike on this one. Many days are always lost to weather. Especially during hurricane season. Bag limits are rarely the problem in making up the options as most average 2 fish per trip with 18" limit . Looks good when you say 8 fish but rarely will it happen.I 'd love October too if we could drop the bag limit to get it but we'd overfish the quota. The surf and inlets give up some nice fish at that time. Give us Sept. this year and maybe next year Oct  ;D

I can remember " back in the day" John.... late Sept into October fluke trips....nice big fat fish!!
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: The dropoff on March 25, 2011, 07:03:26 PM
I know that most guys want the longest season to fish for fluke (And I am one of them) but let’s take a look at what the last three years have been for ocean fishing in Sept.  Fishing in Sept. becomes a Friday Sat and Sun.  Most people have school things and sports on the weekends.  It is back to the daily grind.  Ok, to add to the back end, you are going to be able to fish maybe 12 days out of the whole month. Over the last three years, we have had 3 out of the four weekends be unfishable due to weather conditions.  Once we have one hard NE blow, it is going to take the bite about 7 days to turn back on.  So one hard blow will close the season down for Sept and you will not be able to fish anyway.

The other option of the Slot fish also sounds good.  It will let the back bay fisherman take home something for dinner.  It will keep fluke fisherman coming back instead of going out the first three weeks and then realizing that you are not keeping any fish so why should I go fish for them.  From speaking with some of the local bait shops this is what they said had happened.  The number one thing that was talked about is why fish for something I can not take home to eat.

No matter what way you look at it, there is a chance that one of the states over fishes their quota and from my understanding if one state over fishes the quota all the states are accountable for that. All of this data is going to be based on the MRFS system   and everyone knows that is broken.   I feel that NJ needs to do the right thing for their fisherman and give them the chance to take something home.  NJ will have to fight the MRFS data with the data that they collect through the free anglers survey.  NJ used the survey to come up with the options that we will have in front of us on April 7th.  We need more fisherman to take the time to fill out the anglers survey so that NJ will be able to go back to the Feds and tell them that by NJ data we did not over fish our quota. 
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Mark From PA on March 25, 2011, 08:56:12 PM
Thanks Capt Fran.  Good info.  I personally would like the lower size limit, and if I have to I'll switch to blues and stripers come Sept.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Nicktuna23 on April 01, 2011, 03:03:28 AM
I truthfully think all these options are bad.  Lots of shorts die when thrown back. I would suggest a smaller size keeper fish with a smaller bag limit. 
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: ReelFun on April 02, 2011, 02:39:11 PM
Fellow Anglers,

As a charter operation and someone who follows this Fluke thing here in NJ very closely, I have to weigh in on this conversation.

I went to last years meeting by the Marine Fisheries Council and listened to many views of the numerous options that were available and what the "public" thought of each of them. The guys down south Jersey had there "option", the surf fisherman had there's, the party boaters had there's and a few charter guys were there with their choice.

What I'm leading to is the fact that depending on your perspective, everyone had a different option choice......understood.

As they say, what goes around, comes around. My choice last year, as well as this year is the longest possible season available. For obvious reasons for me, time is money, and the more time I have to do my charters, the greater the likelihood I can survive for another year in this very tough economy. But not only for me ( I don't want to sound like a self serving snob) but for ALL the anglers that will be affected by these regulations.

We're talking about a multi million dollar money maker for the State of NJ (recreational fishing) and I believe that the reg's should not only help sustain a healthy fluke fishery, but also help to ensure that the reg's will aid the GREATEST number of residents here in New Jersey.

Options 3 & 4 are not worth giving up almost a month of fishing time AND loosing 2 fish (8 to 6) for the sake of taking home a slot fish. That's a poor trade off in my opinion. I believe option 2 above serves the best purpose.

Just my thoughts!
Capt. John

Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Reckless on April 07, 2011, 05:26:16 PM
I heard option 2 was approved. Got that from another site. Anyone hear anything?
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: IrishAyes on April 07, 2011, 05:54:17 PM
I heard the same thing. Fran from The Drop Off was probably at the meeting. I'm sure he will post when he gets a chance. I am on my way out shortly. Couldn't make this meeting.

I hope it is correct that option 2 got the nod.  t^
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Capt. Joe G on April 07, 2011, 05:56:37 PM
State Council Sets 2011 Fluke Regulations

New Jersey anglers will have to contend with another year of an 18 inch minimum size limit for summer flounder – also known as fluke – in 2011, though the length of the open season on the popular species will last significantly longer than last year.

The state Marine Fisheries Council voted unanimously at its meeting Thursday afternoon to approve regulations setting an 18 inch size limit and a season which runs May 7 through Sept. 25 on summer flounder. Anglers will be able to keep eight fish per day.
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: IrishAyes on April 07, 2011, 05:57:08 PM
http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=477&Itemid=1
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Reckless on April 07, 2011, 05:59:48 PM
I like the later season!! Pretty quiet after labor day!!  slt clp clp
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: The Broken One on April 07, 2011, 06:31:49 PM
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Pops Soul on April 07, 2011, 06:33:15 PM
I like the later season!! Pretty quiet after labor day!!  slt clp clp
whs Plus the fish are starting to fatten up t^
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: Bottom Dweller on April 07, 2011, 06:37:36 PM
exactly
Title: Re: Here are the final Option for the 2011 Fluke Season
Post by: The dropoff on April 07, 2011, 08:58:44 PM
Yes Option 2 was the one.   But Sea Bass was also talked.  Right now I need a drink  and think about what is going to happen and what happened at the meeting.