New Striper hook rules in Maine

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

This is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm or a dam that is forming leaks and about to break.

A bunch of ineffective patchwork that just adds more red tape while never really fixing the larger issue. Mortality is a bigger problem, in need of a broader "solution" than hook choice and number of hooks.

Let's see. They have a slot limit and now this.. I'd say they are doing a he'll of a lot more in Maine than anywhere else.
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[RIROCKHOUND]

And,

In a state w/ a slot limit, a move to reduce release mortality is a good step in the right direction.

I think the idea has been put before the RIMFC at least as a proposal before....

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Let's see. They have a slot limit and now this.. I'd say they are doing a he'll of a lot more in Maine than anywhere else.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

If I pick up boxes on one side of the room and move them to the other side, I'm doing a whole lot more than someone that is sitting in the corner. Doesn't mean I actually accomplished anything.

Regulating minute details of how we fish isn't going to fix the broader problem of high mortality.

[Sea Flat]

Apparently you have to be a northern state to institute sensible and easy fishing regulations. Alaska has been well documented as one of the leaders in our country and now Maine is doing something to in order to kill less fish needlessly.

Do I think gut hooking occurs a lot, no, but there are a decent amount of sand spike using bait fisherman that are too busy drinking beer to notice that there has been a fish on the end of his line for a good 30 seconds. And, if his fish ends up not being legal to take home he is going to have to put back a dead or dying fish. Circle hooks will help in this situation. I tend to think this type of regulation would be suitable for all fishermen that like to use clams, chum and chunk bait, or use eels.

There are some reports, true or not, that Catch and Release fishing is accountable for a lot of striper mortality. I personally do not believe this statement or NOAA's crappy assertions, but perhaps this is what led Maine to do something. I applaud them for their efforts and even though I do not agree with C & R mortality figures we all know that it does happen and Maine just did something to prevent unnecessary harm to the fish that we all love to catch.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

If I pick up boxes on one side of the room and move them to the other side, I'm doing a whole lot more than someone that is sitting in the corner. Doesn't mean I actually accomplished anything.

I wondered what you did all day!