I'm really confused now

[Slayer]

Originally Posted by RonaldMcDingle

Wow, that is a shame to see. Let me preface this by saying, I am not controversial, or trying to be so, but if you are concerned about roe in the females, why are you keeping them? Why not C&R through the season and save the keeping until summer? I am very new to these websites, so forgive my ignorance!

There's a rather long history behind Skip's posting. In a nutshell, there were restrictions put in place on C&R so that C&K could be strong while at the same time increasing the commercial quotas. Absolutely zero logic/science behind the C&R restrictions.

[reds]

Originally Posted by Slayer

There's a rather long history behind Skip's posting. In a nutshell, there were restrictions put in place on C&R so that C&K could be strong while at the same time increasing the commercial quotas. Absolutely zero logic/science behind the C&R restrictions.

No commercial quotas were increased. As a matter of fact, Maryland's was decreased 6 percent for 2010.

[Blakesdad]

Decisions decisions......

Bake, fry or grill....

[Slayer]

Originally Posted by reds

No commercial quotas were increased. As a matter of fact, Maryland's was decreased 6 percent for 2010.

Not officially, no. But the ASMFC has a proposal on the table to increase them in coastal waters under it's cog.

See Addendum II (section 6 of link).

http://www.asmfc.org/meetings/spring...ementBoard.pdf

[wino]

From what I am reading about the flats and the poor fishing in the main stem of the bay it reminds me of what happened prior to the moratorium. I remember how the charter captains were bitching about the bluefish killing the rockfish and how tough it was to find any good size rock. My old friends down on the eastern shore tell me the fish are not there this spring.

[Slayer]

Originally Posted by wino

From what I am reading about the flats and the poor fishing in the main stem of the bay it reminds me of what happened prior to the moratorium. I remember how the charter captains were bitching about the bluefish killing the rockfish and how tough it was to find any good size rock. My old friends down on the eastern shore tell me the fish are not there this spring.

This year there was a unique set of circumstances that really affected the fishing. We had the early heatwave that spiked the temps in the spawning waters and then a full moon in late march. That sent the fish up into the rivers weeks ahead of a typical schedule. By the time the season opened, the 1st group was on the way out and well south while the second group started staging. I ran into the perfect storm last week where these two groups met in the bay and I experienced the most phenomenal bite I ever had. If you motor around the spawning rivers you'll see them on the fish finder. They're here, just not in the main stem.

One more thing. Fishing high in the column hasn't produced exceptionally well this year for me. I don't know why but my deeper rods have produced better.

[crabby and son]

Not killing the pre spawn females is a "no brainer" just like leaving the female crabs alone. With the live for today attitude that most people have, that is the reason for much of our problems. Tomorrow is coming sooner than you think..........Gary

[Doggydaddy]

I was told commercial gill netters are now allowed twice the nets from last year, is this true?

[Fish Nut]

Originally Posted by Doggydaddy

I was told commercial gill netters are now allowed twice the nets from last year, is this true?

They (DNR) increased the amount of net legally allowed for the gill-netters. Not twice the amount. They say it is so the commercial netters could keep different size mesh onboard to better target different size class of fish. However nothing in the law stops them form deploying all of the gill nets on a licensed vessel. There quota has not changed they are still allowed the same poundage of fish. If the commercials reach there quota early DNR shuts the fishery down. A few from this site were at the meetings and may have a better detailed explanation of the reasoning.

[Doggydaddy]

Originally Posted by Fish Nut

They (DNR) increased the amount of net legally allowed for the gill-netters. Not twice the amount. They say it is so the commercial netters could keep different size mesh onboard to better target different size class of fish. However nothing in the law stops them form deploying all of the gill nets on a licensed vessel. There quota has not changed they are still allowed the same poundage of fish. If the commercials reach there quota early DNR shuts the fishery down. A few from this site were at the meetings and may have a better detailed explanation of the reasoning.

Thanks Fish Nut.
IMHO B Faithful has a good idea with slot fish limit, it would allow for fish to be taken while protecting the large spawning cows, on the other hand as you mentioned other states need to come in line with lower limits, that in its self would be a challenge.