Striped Bass Report

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association December 2009 Newsletter)

Ed Cherry and John Toth were asked by NJ’s Division of Fish & Wildlife to serve as advisors on a committee to look at possible new alternatives to the present regulations concerning striped bass. The current regulation mandates that anglers can keep two striped bass over 28 inches.

The problem with this regulation appears that we are taking too many of the breeder stock when we catch these big fish. There appears to be a decline in the striped bass stocks and while there is no present danger that the stocks are in serious trouble, we do not want these fish to be in danger like winter flounder.

The following is a table of the alternatives that were shown to us. Only two stripers can still be kept under these alternatives. These alternatives are also equivalent to the projected stock of stripers that are now caught at 28 inches to infinity. The Bonus Tag fish and a slot fish are not included in these alternatives.

18” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 40” minimum size and greater - one fish
19” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 38” minimum size and greater - one fish
20” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 36” minimum size and greater - one fish
21” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 35” minimum size and greater - one fish
22” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 34” minimum size and greater - one fish
23” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 33” minimum size and greater - one fish
24” minimum size and greater - one fish, and a 32” minimum size and greater - one fish

The last alternative is the one that the committee favored. It means that you can catch one fish that has a minimum size of 24 inches to infinity. The second fish has to be a minimum size of 32 inches or to infinity. The thinking here is that so many stripers are caught that are less than 28 inches and we are throwing many of them back and killing a lot of them in the process. If we lower that limit to 24 inches minimum, then we can at least keep one striper and take it home for dinner fare.

These alternatives were discussed at the JCAA’s October’s 27th meeting and representatives were asked to take this information back to their clubs and discuss what alternative they favor or to even stick with the current regulation of two fish over 28 inches. Please bring your comments on striped bass back to the General Membership meeting on November 24th so that we can pass them on to the Department of Fish & Wildlife.

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