Bonus Tags for Trophy Fish? Your Opinion

[CapBob]

A post on another site on this subject drew a lot of opinions from both sides what is your opinion.

Should using a Striper Bonus tag on a Trophy Striper be allowed?

My personal opinion is no, unless this is the fish of a lifetime it should be released.

Fishing is not an inexhaustible resource, many of us can remember when Striper fishing was a far cry from what it is now. These fish are the breeders and the future of the fishery.

If you have 2 trophy fish in the box, why in Gods name do you need a third?

Some Capt's will not allow a tag to be used on a trophy, some do. If the boat is hired is should be communicated before the trip.

I do not ban the use, but I whole heartidly discourage it, explaining as I have....and to this date, no one has sought to use a tag on a trophy Striper on my boat.

I do not have anything against anyone who allows tags to be used on such a fish, we just disagree on the matter.

As I said a can of worms, there will be high passion on both sides.

What do you think?

[IrishAyes]

People have mixed emotions on this issue.

First off, when the tag was first issued, it was issued so you could keep a trophy fish. If I remember correctly, if you had the bonus tag, one of the fish (the bonus/trophy) had to be well over the original keeper fish size limit.

Next up, if someone is against keeping a trophy fish because they have two trophy fish already, why do they have the two? Why not release ALL the trophy fish? Not much of a difference having two or three in my opinion. Keep your two 'eatin' size fish and a third 'eatin' size fish if you have the tag.

With that being said, I think it is up to the individual to decide if he/she wants to keep a third striper.

If I know for certain (I will ask) that a big fish, or any fish for that matter, will make a meal for someone on the boat, I will keep it. If no one says they would eat it, it would go back. So far, that has not happened.

[wb]

bonus is bonus as long as its long enough

i personally have released every bass i caught over 30#

but I might consider keeping one

def not 3 for myself- if someone else wants to that's ok it's their choice and it's not illegal

[Luna Sea 5]

I will keep 2 fish for the table.. these fish are not really of great size since the smaller one's are better for the table.  So.. I keep my first 2 keeper size fish that are within my edible size, then release the rest unless I come across a trophy size fish. At that point I may use my tag for the trophy size fish or if i am at the end of the trip, I will use my tag for a third fish of edible size.  Edible size for me is 28" - around 34". 

[bassnblues]

2 is enough for anybody IMO.

They can always load up on bluefish.

As long as they follow the law, I don't have a problem with it though.

[Capt -Jerry P]

Bob

It was a terible post in poor taste over there...
with hidden attacks about feeding the nieghbors

To each there own

simple

[Capt. Joe G]

I really wanted to answer this post.. especially since my weekends trips have had plenty of trophy bass on the boat and on the dinner table!!

First what do consider a trophy?? Hell to some a 28 inch bass is a trophy and to others 25lbs are trophys..

Ok we all know what trophy we are talking about 30+lbs and over..

for me as a charter captain, I try to explain I would like to see big fish release, but the law states 2 fish limits.. So I allow to fish limited.. hopefully one being a trophy of a lifetime and the other being a fish from 15 to 30lbs..

If a bonus tag is present to before a trip or during a trip . I request that a smaller fish be taken instead of a true trophy (35+lbs over) for the table.. but remember the permit allows a fish not by pounds but by inches.. so it legal to take what the client wants..

So far I have had a successfull season and clients that had the opportunity on huge bass to play catch and release on all ranges of fish.. All which have had had bonus tags for fish.. most have not used the tags simply because of the enjoyment the have had on the water..And my clients who have use the tags agreed with keeping a smaller fish..

I guess as Capt. Bob and Irish Ayes have statement.. good communication before or during a trip make this discussionand topic easy to handle.

I hope this helps justify my pics andhow I run my operation on the water.. good luck and tight lines.

Capt. Joe G

[Capt -Jerry P]

I loved the slot fish shame we lost that.... and i would never even bother with bonus tags on my boat.If they do keep bass 12 is enough. Nobody is keeping 18 bass small or big on the fish monger with bonus tags from us. You got you own use it.

I think releasing big stripers is a good thing...

But if the charter wants to keep the bass that is fine by me... Law are set to keep species in check... and that why they are in place.. If all the fish we catch are on the bunker run they will be waiting a long time to get a small keepers...

If it was one, or no fish over 40in we would follow those regs But its not.

When you are sitting at home or if you have caught Lots a big stripers before it is easy to say let them go take a pic... But if you fish once a year or a customer lands their first big striper, Honestly, they usaully want to keep it and eat it...

Also everyone up North loves to say ... we got some many fresh fish coming in not spawned yet...Long Bay Run... sea lice etc...get up here... No problems there... They are the same guys bi#$hing about the charter boats down here...

Just the truth and i have no problem posting about how i feel about it...

If you want to RELEASE BIG STRIPERS give us a call and we will glady throw all your charters fish back.


On my boat everything is the charters call... i am the capt/owner but i always leave fish decisions to the guys who pay the tab and charter the Boat...Its their day on the water to enjoy! What we fish for, what we keep, spliting up fish... Time We leave. Catch or release...Etc... This is how we run our operation

I am actually all for my charter keeping what is allowed to them, we just dont really even get involved in Bonus fish... We usually just go catch another species

[bassnblues]

 I think the hard feelings over this topic is because there's really 2 things going on here...

There's personal choices and being worried about the state of the fishery in the future.

There's also the legal limit and no one want's to be lectured or made to feel they are doing something wrong if they are following the law.

[Capt. Joe G]

Capt. Jerry.. We are on the same page!! gotta exchange cell#

See ya soon as the weather breaks!!

Capt Joe G

[Capt -Jerry P]

I think the hard feelings over this topic is because there's really 2 things going on here...

There's personal choices and being worried about the state of the fishery in the future.

There's also the legal limit and no one want's to be lectured or made to feel they are doing something wrong if they are following the law.

You are absolutely right. hit the nail right on the head!!!

Capt. Jerry.. We are on the same page!! gotta exchange cell#

See ya soon as the weather breaks!!

Capt Joe G

Def Man 732 688 0765

Talk to you soon

[Capt. Joe G]

732 239 1404 

its charging right now!! or my email Gahrmann@gmail.com

[PeggyLee]

I have mixed feelings on the subject too.
We all remember when we released nice bass back in the late 80s, and we all  fought hard to get rid of the bunker boats so as to have this improved bass fishing.We are now seeing the effects of those actions and other good things.We must think preservation.
Two fish over 28" should be enough to keep for the table. Tomorrow is another day.  
The rest go back no matter what the size.
Keep it simple.  

[CapBob]

To say the least it is a hot topic on both sides....Was not aware that the poster on the site I got it from  had an agenda with anybody(s).


But i did see a need to bring an issue to light. While it is legal to take 3 Trophy Fish with a tag, is it right?

When it comes to conservation passion runs high.

I know I feel strongly about allowing people their allowed bag limit but also feel we have a responsibility for our furture.

As I will not take charters out to catch the big Tideruner Weaks to protect our breeding stock. I have strong feelings about keeping three trophy Stripers, the breeding stock of years to come.

This is my personal feeling, and as I do not begrudge anybody doing it.

Just as on my hunting property I have rules regarding size of Bucks and amount of Does that can be harvested, some agree some do not.

If I hit a nerve on the post I am sorry, not meant to stir the pot or point fingers at anybody.

Just wanted to see peoples feelings....as a Charter Capt sometimes we walk a fine line, between what we believe is right and what is legal.

Coming from three generations of fishermen I have seen the good and the bad, and believe me we (dispite some regulations) are doing OK.  

As our Striper Fishery has improved, the regulations need to be changed, as Capt Joe pointed out the Bonus tag was meant for a Trophy fish, now the fishery has changed and trophy fish at times are regulary abundant. Would like to see the tag used for that Slot fish we used to have 24-28".

[Capt -Jerry P]

Good Topic, Good conversation

I dont like the bonus tags, will not provide them but if a customer has one he could use...

As charter Capts we try stay in the middle the best we can

Juggling conservation and keeping our clients happy...

[bassnblues]

If I hit a nerve on the post I am sorry, not meant to stir the pot or point fingers at anybody.

It's all good...I don't think anyone got thier panties in a wad....yet

I agree completely with everything you have said...

[Hotrod]

Great Topic Captain Bob.   

[wb]

yeah nice thing about this site is not too much pantywadding going on....

keep it legal and keep the drama to a minimum (like none)

[Hotrod]

 

[Capt. Carl]

i do have bonus tags on my boat for customer use.
HOWEVER...never has one been used on a trophy fish. i ran into this dilemma last year on a trip in early june....had the limit on board when a bigger fish struck....when on board, the customer asked if we should keep it. i simply replied " a picture is worth a thousand words" had him hold the fish up while i took a picture on his camera for him. FISH SWAM AWAY. end of discussion.
IM NOT SAYING I DONT USE THESE TAGS...I'M BREAKING NO LAWS.
but my next question would be....what happens to the trophy fish that is the first fish of the day and not the bonus?....i guarantee these fish would go in the box as quickly( if not quicker) as a bonus fish. same results if you think about it that way...first fish 40lbs ,2nd fish 22lbs and bonus fish 29 inches. same results...3 fish in the box.
 i'm not supporting or condoning one way or the other...i know the economic impact these fish have on our business and i know we need to protect this resource. i try to manage it on board as best as possible as far as not keeping the bigger fish....without pissing off the customer