Bonus Tags for Trophy Fish? Your Opinion

[CapBob]

Carl

I  operate the same as you, it is a fine line we walk....we can only make valid points to the customer. Then it is his/her choice to make.

As I post I would like to see the bonus tags for a slot fish only, would solve a lot of problems.

Did have 2 charters last year where they said hey we fished with so-n-so and they would not let us use bonus tags on the big fish (each charter had limited on fish 35+ lbs).

Tried my best to explain the conservation point, one group understood one didn't. The big complaint with both was that they were not told before hand. I can see their point there.

As you said a picture is worth 100 words, between that and a couple measurements a quality reproduction can be made.

[Capt. Carl]

Bob,
yes it is a fine line there capt..
some customers understand the point and some dont....cant please everyone!!!!!!!
i use the bonus tag as an extra....not as a necessity....and they dont get used 75% of the time....
hell, if it were up to me, fluke over 5 lbs should be let go to spawn also....but you know that isnt gonna happen!!!!!!!!!! 

[Capt. Joe G]

Do away with the tag .. end the problem totally 2 fish over 28"  done.. its has create a problem and it will conitue..

I personally don't like the tag but paying clients use their judgement

[Luna Sea 5]

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

I agree, but the larger fish aren't good table fair, so why would anyone want to keep them... BUT.. if that trophy fish is a fish of a life time and you want to mount it, then that may be a different disscussion, but I do agree with you, if your box is filled, there is no need to use the bonus tag.  If my first fish was a 30 pound fish, I don't consider it good table fair so it goes back in the swim..

[Luna Sea 5]

what is the bonus tag supposed to be used for.  If you have a 2 fish limit, let it be a 2 fish limit.  If the goverment wants a 3 fish limit, then let it be 3.  What is the original purpose of this tag anyway.

Was it designed to be a TROPHY TAG..

Lets say you have 2 in the box, now you play catch and release the rest of the day.. BUT if you then catch that 50 lber, you have that tag to use.  This is how I originally understood it.  If that 50 lbs fish is your first fish, you shouldn't need the tag and that fish should be 1 of 2 fish and not 1 of 3.

[The Broken One]

hahahahaha... dont think ya's want my opinion... 

[Hotrod]

 

[Capt. Carl]

thats what i tell them nick....works most of the time
....joey g.....u know damn well that even if there is no tag and some one catches a 40lber... 60% chance that fish is dying anyway....they would either throw a smaller one back dead or take their chances back at dock.
the bonus tag is just the tip of the iceburg here... like i said....i'm not defending or supporting....just standing ground in the middle....that fish will probably be taken one way or another somewhere some how....not by any of us im sure but definately by someone!
how many times have you seen a party boat bass fishing with 20 people and the same 6 people are the only ones catching fish?...when they get their 2 fish do they just stop fishing? nope....they keep right on fishing..some even offer their fish to others not catching..guarantee if they get the trophy at the end of the night its going home one way or another!
i hope no one takes offense to what i have said....its not directed in any direction....its just what happens....bonus tag or no bonus tag!

[Kenny]

Great topic...

Firstly, I'm right there with you Capt Jerry with respect to the slot fish, I miss that as well and would love to see that brought back.

As to the bonus tag, I feel it's up to each individual to make that decision for themselves.

I was taught by my Father to be mindful of our fishing resources when I was very young and have always been on the conservation side.  Take home a meal, maybe a little for the freezer and go fishing another day.

I personally don't need to bring home 3 bass and stuff my freezer, I go fishing multiple times a year for many species but also realize that many guys may only get out once or twice a year and want to put some meat away for future eating or get that 50 lber mounted and hung over the mantel and I am fine with that as long as the law permits.

I also agree with Luna Sea 3 and feel that the smaller bass make for better eating.

Capt Carl also makes a great point, a picture is worth a thousand words. I have quite a few pictures of some really nice bass I have caught over the years that were released to fight/spawn another day.

The bottom line for me is that we all play a part in the future of our fisheries and should never take them for granted.

[Luna Sea 5]

 Capt Carl, the best part of this site is that we can have open discussions where people agree and some disagree, but we keep it civil where people with less experience who are reading this can learn the what, where, when, and why to this sport.

[IrishAyes]

To answer your question Nick, the bonus tag was given to the recreational angler due to New Jersey shutting down the commercial fishery for striped bass. Instead of turning New Jersey's commercial quota back to the feds to give to another state's commercial fleet, New Jersey kept the quota and gave it to the recs as a bonus fish.

I believe when they had the slot, one of the fish HAD to be over a certain length to have the extra fish, thus, the trophy aspect of it.

[Capt. Carl]

Capt Carl, the best part of this site is that we can have open discussions where people agree and some disagree, but we keep it civil where people with less experience who are reading this can learn the what, where, when, and why to this sport.

i know nick,   but no matter what i post.....i always make sure i put it out there that im not looking for a fight....forums arent like the phone where you can tell the tone if someone is mad or not!!!!!!!!lol

[Luna Sea 5]

Last i remember the slot fish had to be between 26" and 28" and the 2 others over 28"

[Capt. Joe G]

Capt. Carl  my buddy!! I gotta agree with you on everything.. it seems some charters boat guys get attack , some party boats get attack.. but your a 100% correct one way or another some fish are going home dead or over board dead..I actually pick up a 27lbder on the surface sunday evening trip.. Fish was perfectly fresh, but dead floating a long.. I had my customers limited and did not want the fish to go to waste.. I'm allowed 2 fish so i took it for dinner!!

I know its a tough topic to discuss.. but heres one better How come we get hammered at the dockl for every fish species we catch.. But go to Perth Amboy behind factory and watch the mass of bucket brickade(illegals) loaded the buckets with everything on the line!!

I also remember the slot fish a few years back adn everyone bitching how hard it was to get the slot fish..We cant' please everyone but just try to help people do the right thing!

[Capt. Carl]

thanks joe,
bottom line is that bonus tags wont destroy the fishery.....all those commercial boats catching millions of pounds illegal stripers off virginia sure will!!!!!!!!

[ped579]

Good topic.  But as I am strictly C&R I do not believe in the tags system.  As far as fishing for neighbors I tell them if you want fish come fishing with me and catch your own.  I have no problem with that.

I see to many guys on the beach with 3 fish and it irks the hell out of me.  If you allow this to happen why not allow a 3 fish limit and do away with the tax levied on the tag.  It is all about the revenue in this state in my opinion.

[CapBob]

I had read this a long time ago and it explains the stages that a Hunter goes through during his/her years a field, I believe it holds true for Fishermen also.

As people progress through life, they usually learn from their experiences and change their ways to better themselves and those around them. These developmental periods or “stages” also hold true for most hunters. As experience is gained, a personal ethic evolves. Eventually, most hunters develop a love and respect for hunting and for our natural world.

            Most hunters are introduced to hunting at an early age. Children tend to have short attention spans, very little patience, and demand physically active pastimes. When youngsters participate in hunting, they usually just want to shoot. Getting a shot off is more important than waiting for a trophy animal. Hunters at this stage in their hunting life are often referred to as being in the “shooting stage.”
            As hunters become better marksmen they are able to harvest more game. Many become more concerned with the number of animals they harvest rather than simply having an opportunity to shoot. Hunters at this stage are usually referred to as being in the “limiting out stage.” Some hunters never progress beyond this stage, and believe they must harvest the most game in order to be happy. with their day in the field. Hunters in this stage expend effort and energy to fill their bag limit. Hunters that carry this stage to an extreme can portray a negative image of hunters and hunting to the public.

            Fortunately, most hunters progress beyond the stages of shooting or limiting out. They become more selective as to what they harvest. These hunters are usually referred to being in the “trophy stage.” They tend to be more willing to pass up shots on young immature animals in order to have the opportunity to harvest mature animals. Hunters in this stage are continually learning new hunting techniques and improving their marksmanship and other skills that allow them to become better hunters.

            Some hunters become more interested in how they harvest an animal rather than how many animals they harvest or their size or quality. This stage of hunting is often referred to as the “method stage.” Whether it is harvesting a deer with a long bow, or a turkey with a black powder shotgun, it is the satisfaction of how they harvest the game that really matters.

Fortunately, there are hunters who progress to a step in their hunting career called the “sportsman” or “experience stage.” These individuals realize that hunting is more than just shooting or harvesting an animal. The success of the hunt is measured by the overall experience – the appreciation of the out-of-doors, respect for the animal hunted, the process of the hunt, and the camaraderie shared with other hunters.

[IrishAyes]

I guess I need to reassess my providing a fitting meal to my 85 year old disabled neighbor who can no longer enjoy the sport of fishing.

I didn't realize how much I have been putting the fish stock in peril by giving him a couple of fillets every couple of weeks.

Sorry guys, but I do find pleasure in providing this older fellow with a nice meal every once in a while. I will not live up to somebody else's unrealistic ideals.

[Capt -Jerry P]

We could do without the tags.

but

Since it has been two fish combined with no bunker boats or commericial fishing the stock has been good.

I love to hear everyone complain about when there was no stripers around.

But i am a young guy i look at it alittle different...

When you had no stripers everybody was busy filling there coolers with fluke no size limit...

people taking all the cod and whiting you could real in.

but all everyone remembers is no stripers

people would have just took as many stripers as they could if they were around too...

Now we get lectured for limits, keeping a big fish, or using a legal tag, on one of the few fish that is around and are staying withing the LEGAL LIMITS

people are quick to give an opinion but often dont like the other side of the story...

People say let the big one go then pose with Tiderunner weakfish...

Now people want to push morals and ethics when most forget what they were catching and killing 20 years ago. Heard stories from the smokehouse
Throwing ling away (sewer trout) and cod on the klondike

Why because the ocean offered it.

Arent limits already tight enough...

[bassnblues]

Speaking for myself...I'm not that old but remember keeping everthing with my Dad as a kid and I realize it was a mistake and don't want to see stripers go the way of the whiting...