Bait shops for us and against us

[MakoMike]

So how would catyching them via cast or gill nets affect the population of pogies. We have so few B&T shops now, we need to protect the ones we do have. RISAA is cutting its own throat if its a my way or the highway type of deal. I'm sure the guys that either don't support the bill or want to remain neutral have valid reasons for their position. Boycotting tackle shops is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[OnTheLedge]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

RISAA is cutting its own throat if its a my way or the highway type of deal. I'm sure the guys that either don't support the bill or want to remain neutral have valid reasons for their position. Boycotting tackle shops is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Mako Mike...The statement Steve Medeiros made that I posted says exactly what you are saying. Again, no officer of RISAA has ever suggested that any bait shop be boycotted. Whoever suggested that may have been a RISAA member, but they were not speaking on behalf of the organization.

[JohnR]

I think some of the people on the RISAA list are doing just what a lot of people do (us included) on an issue and jump in with two feet all fast and furious. I personally support the legislation without question but I'm not quite ready to pigeon-hole those shops in question because of their stance against or neutral on this position.

I have had good conversations with shop owners, that for this argument will remain nameless, that would forgo ALL pogies for a few years if that would really help the fish stocks (slightly different issue granted, fish stocks -v- Bay health).

I would encourage those shops to reconsider their support, certainly if the issue is short term profit & ease. But harsh fighting amongst "ourselves" as a usergroup would be handing a defeat to this legislation.

Someone wants to vote with their wallet, nothing wrong with that. But don't divide "us" on the premise of this matter.

Ooops - water's burning, soapbox off

[CowHunter]

Many tackle shops that I know of up and down the coast get there pogies from 1 man pogie cast net operations just like mike p said. Many pride themselves in fresh bait, and sure they have the frozen stuff. But most of the people that I know of want fresh. Why anybody would by the stuff that comes off these big boats is beyond me, its all mush. The bait is all bruised, soft, and not iced properly. Anybody would cast it right off the hook.....Worthless. Its lobster bait. Now how the hell would somebody like a single cast netter put a dent into the pogies? I dont think any of you Rhode Islanders have an idea what the bay would look like without those boats taking millions of pounds. I'm gonna make a video this year of the pogies here in the spring. Ive had clients that fished up in Mass for years come up and they are in awe. truly amazing, bait and fish. Guys arent just catching big bass but these guys are catching 14, 15, 16, 17lb weakfish on whole live pogies. Agian, Some of you are where we in NJ / NY were a few years ago. The fishing down right sucked here! Ive seen acres of dead bass floating up top, getting washed on beaches from the reduction boats. after the first year of them out of here, there was a huge difference....Enough of my rambling, what the hell do I know...Im done with this topic.....