Possible 2012 Fluke Regs? Hearings in Feb.

[CapBob]

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will hold its winter meetings the first week in February. And that can mean only one thing: we're getting closer to learning what our 2012 fluke regulations might look like here in the Garden State.

While thanks to some controversial decision making on the part of federal officials, we have to take a quota hit this year, our actual allowable harvest will increase because anglers in our state did not hit their quota last season.

When the ASMFC meets, it will consider a slew of potential regulatory options proposed by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife which will meet the federal harvest limits. The ASMFC will whittle those options down, and send several back to the state Marine Fisheries Council, which will choose one at a meeting in the spring.

New Jersey is allocated a recreational target of 1,090,407 fish for 2012, according to documentation filed with the ASMFC, a liberalization to the tune of 38 percent over the 2011 season.

Though it's based on pure sampling data using a number of methodologies, there is a chance that New Jersey anglers could see a summer flounder season where they're able to take home a fish smaller than 18-inches for the first time since 2007.

The 18-inch minimum size limit has been highly controversial, mainly because biologists have found that virtually all fish that reach 18 inches or larger are females.

For 2012, options include a May 5 to Sept. 23 season with 17.5 inch size limit. They also include seasons ranging from April 29 through Sept. 23 and May 5 through Sept. 29 with a 17.5 inch size limit. All of these options include an four fish bag limit, however, down from eight fish in 2011.

The options that keep the size limit at 18 inches all keep the bag limit at eight fish per day through a 170 day season, with date options including April 28 through Oct. 14; April 7 through Sept. 23; and May 5 through Oct 21.

In my opinion columns over the years, I have long advocated for a shorter size limit rather than extending the season length (or upping the bag limit, which next-to-nobody can achieve anyway).

For the majority of anglers, a shorter size limit will always equal more of an impetus to go out on the water, patronize bait shops, marinas and party boats, and increase one's chances of taking a fish home for dinner.

Participation in the 2011 fluke fishery, despite a longer season, was terrible from an anecdotal standpoint – and this is coming from someone who's out on the water nearly every day. September was – as it often is – a washout. Back bay and shore-based anglers, as usual, take the brunt of high size limits.

There is no doubt that for-hire boat operators will rally in favor of a longer season at all costs (I do understand why), but for independent anglers (and the businesses they support), it will always be my belief that a shorter size limit equals greater participation and a well-rounded distribution of access to the fishery whether one goes out on party boats, operates his or her own boat (in the ocean or bay), or fishes from shore.

For all the technical stuff, check out the filings of the ASMFC's summer flounder committee.

About this column: An update on local fishing, reeled in every Friday on Patch!

[BigAl13]

I see your point Bob and thanks for the info. I do not however agree with the bag limit being lowered.
There are plenty of keepers out there, and if they lower the bag limit it may discourage people from fishing, so you get on the boat hit your spot and an hour later your limited out, or play catch and release for a while accidentally  killing juvenile fish. I think the 8 bag limit helps because it will keep you fishing longer, use more bait etc, which will in turn keep bait shops busy, maybe its just me. Thanks again

[CapBob]

I see your point Bob and thanks for the info. I do not however agree with the bag limit being lowered.
There are plenty of keepers out there, and if they lower the bag limit it may discourage people from fishing, so you get on the boat hit your spot and an hour later your limited out, or play catch and release for a while accidentally  killing juvenile fish. I think the 8 bag limit helps because it will keep you fishing longer, use more bait etc, which will in turn keep bait shops busy, maybe its just me. Thanks again

It is not my point or opinion, it is an article that was in the paper!

[Capt. Carl]

Big al....unfortunately, small fish will die in the process regardless of how many hours people fish...and in direct response to your post of " lowering a bag limit will discourage people from fishing" ...i seriously have to disagree with this statement . I think People are discouraged with the regulations as they stand for fluke size limits. Party boats sailing with 8 customers on a mid july day for fluke is ridiculous....party boats with 30 ppl coming back to dock with 8 keepers on the whole boat is ridiculous. I see it every day at the docks. This is what has people discouraged from fishing. Lower the size limit, and i am ok with a bag reduction as well...   The limit needs to and has been in need of a 17-17.5 inch for awhile now. Between bait,tackle,food and fuel, people  spend to go fishing, they should be able to take a nice family dinner home for all their effort.... Not to mention there might be a little less poaching going on by recreational fisherman.
Lets do a poll on this subject to see how people really do feel...my opinion could be totally wrong on this subject....but lets face the facts....when i talk to fisherman about fluke fishing, their first response is usually about the crap regulations in place....and as stated, the longer season was a total bust, so that helped nobody either. I would rather see people have a better chance to get those 4 or 6 keepers with the lower size limit and a couple fish bag reduction.  

[Great American Fisherman]

IMO you do not give up the Eight Fish Bag.  Its easier for a boat to advertise a Eight Fish Bag than to advertise a Four Fish Bag.  I don't like Eighteen inches, but to keep a Eight Fish Bag I would do it.  And, I would go for the May 5 start and the October 21 end.  A Derby Day Start sounds good to me.

[Noworries2009]

I agree with GAF . Especially with the current tog regs closing tog till mid Oct. There won't be anything to fish for until fall run stripers. Long season will be best. I'm for no closed season on fluke at all with a size limit that will allow it. "Opportunity" to fish is best and always hate throwing back 5 lb+ fish while wreck fishing in the fall. Keeps our tackle shops in business too 

[BigAl13]

Big al....unfortunately, small fish will die in the process regardless of how many hours people fish...and in direct response to your post of " lowering a bag limit will discourage people from fishing" ...i seriously have to disagree with this statement . I think People are discouraged with the regulations as they stand for fluke size limits. Party boats sailing with 8 customers on a mid july day for fluke is ridiculous....party boats with 30 ppl coming back to dock with 8 keepers on the whole boat is ridiculous. I see it every day at the docks. This is what has people discouraged from fishing. Lower the size limit, and i am ok with a bag reduction as well...   The limit needs to and has been in need of a 17-17.5 inch for awhile now. Between bait,tackle,food and fuel, people  spend to go fishing, they should be able to take a nice family dinner home for all their effort.... Not to mention there might be a little less poaching going on by recreational fisherman.
Lets do a poll on this subject to see how people really do feel...my opinion could be totally wrong on this subject....but lets face the facts....when i talk to fisherman about fluke fishing, their first response is usually about the crap regulations in place....and as stated, the longer season was a total bust, so that helped nobody either. I would rather see people have a better chance to get those 4 or 6 keepers with the lower size limit and a couple fish bag reduction.  

Bob last year when the fluke season just started heating up towards the end of the season fishing did shut down, but mainly because of Irene and the long string of tropical storms that followed. Thats what i think anyway. My point about the 18" fish is yes there where tons of just shorts last year and most got released to swim another day which means this year there should be tons of keepers. Im not sure exactly what a flukes growth weight is but it has to be atleast a half inch per year.15 years ago the size limit was about 14" i think. And the reason where at 18" now is because the it was so easy to catch a 14" fish that the amount kept severly lowered the amount left. Believe me i want to come home with a limit no matter the bag count but i also want to be able to do the same next year and so on.

[chrisw]

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I have had to throw back a few 16 and 17 inch fish many times that swollowed hook too deep and I know they were dead. It happens all the time with all the recreational fishermen.  Test 17" 4 fish per person and the numbers will be fine next year...the ones in the box would be the ones floating to bottom...my kids love to take fish home and eat...I have never kept an illegal fish, but these rules are turning alot of honest fisherman I know into fed up outlaws!
There were days last year catching 40 fish and zero keepers...Gulp is the only one making out!

[Andys Delight]

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I have had to throw back a few 16 and 17 inch fish many times that swollowed hook too deep and I know they were dead. It happens all the time with all the recreational fishermen.  Test 17" 4 fish per person and the numbers will be fine next year...the ones in the box would be the ones floating to bottom...my kids love to take fish home and eat...I have never kept an illegal fish, but these rules are turning alot of honest fisherman I know into fed up outlaws!
There were days last year catching 40 fish and zero keepers...Gulp is the only one making out!

This happens a ton with the "dead stickers".  I had quite a few lazy guests last year who would do this and to be honest I cut the rigs hoping the fish would survive, but who knows how long a fluke can live with a hook in his gut.

[NJ Guy]

my wife and i run up to 6+ deadsticks when we are out fluking  and then we bucktail. To be honest all of last season i think i had 1 fish gut hooked maybe just luck idk. I usually use BIG bait and live bait so that might be the reason i dont get gut hooked to often

[wb]

My records show if the minimum size was 17.5" last year I would have limited out almost every fluke trip. Fresh fluke for dinner, and some for the freezer too- now THAT's what will keep me coming back. The "catch 40 fish at 17.999 and throw them back" game just reinforces how mucked up the regs are...

As it was, we had like 16 keepers in 23 fluke trips, of which I personally caught 8 of them. Pee poor if you ask me- when you cook up 2 or 3 fresh at the end of the day that leaves very little for the freezer...We obviously don't know where or how to fish because during those trips we threw back over 200 short fish!!

I'd advocate a 2- fish slot limit at 17" or 17.5" then 6 more over 18". Keep the season open Memorial Day weekend thru September- the water and weather's still warm then anyways. That's regs that'll put some meat in the box for a hacker like me...