I believe We in NJ are getting to blinded to regulations.
1. We have a very short Blackfish season. Lost some more this year... Yet fishing and numbers were great.
2. Seabass fishing has been good and prob would be better except the endangered Dogfish are eating everything small that swims near wrecks. Yet the size limit increased to 12 1/2 inches hurting what we can keep not what the dogfish eat
3. Most people are familiar with the fluke sitation. Thank God we have great groups fight for us... Look at Ny... More fluke around now than ever.
4. We cant count on weakfish anymore... But they never really has a shot. Gill nets pack out lbs and lbs of big tiderunners. Yet It is bad if someone keeps one they catch.
5. Winter Flounder is now over in Nj
Now to the point of this post...
6.Stripers - we see all these big fish around now, because in past times there were no bunker like there were today... Boats used to come right next to the shore net up everthing.
We have restrictions that seem to be working and the fishery is healthy.
More can always be done however we do not have to change laws to do it. If you wanna release all your big stripers to save the stock that is fine do so i applaud it...
But
We dont need to volunteer any of our current limits away because a stock is healthy...
Also for thoses who judge those who do keep a large striper just remember alot of fish (Large and small) caught in Raritan bay are caught before they get to spawn...
No Double standards
Lets just be happy we have stripers and follow the laws we have and keep commercial fishing for them restricted here and bunker boats out
Peace
