Federal and New Jersey Regulations Have Once Again Changed for New Jersey Anglers...Will These New Regulations Help Sustain the Big Breeding Stock?

by Bob Misak

A New Approach to the Bass "Snafu”

As New Jersey anglers fished out 2014, there was much abuzz on the social media sites (as well as a firestorm of ideas being presented) pertaining to what we should do concerning the plight of the once mighty striped bass numbers. For some, the numbers aren’t an issue… for most, they were. Biologists had determined that our numbers, specifically where breeding sized fish were concerned, were in trouble. So began the arduous task of how to change the regulations to make them angler friendly and, most importantly, bass friendly.

The addendums were many, and in the end, after many heated discussions at many of the spread-out meeting sites in New Jersey, a one fish between 28" and 43" with one additional fish equal to 43 inches or longer was implemented. If one does a simple equation of math, the numbers of fish saved should double, realistically (as not many fish will be landed that will be over the 43" mark!). However, both the Fish and Game gurus and fishermen alike know that there will be a smaller reduction than that. The question is, will this be enough to save the bass?

2015 New Jersey Striped Bass regulations have changed as Federal and State officials move to protect not only the 2011 year class, but also many larger breeding stock.

“Save vs. sustain”

So goes the age old question whenever regulations are altered to attempt to save a species from certain doom… will it work? As far as the regulations in New Jersey, it can work. However, if you think realistically, the argument that it can only work when all surrounding states in the northeast support such a large move is a valid one. In the opinion of many surf anglers, boaters, and even pay-to-fish vessels, most will agree that you need the entire migratory area cooperating in unison to have guaranteed success. I remember as a young man in the 1980’s having a law where there were two fish allowed per day, a 24 to 28 inch eater and a larger fish over 28 inches (but not larger than 34 inches). This caused a firestorm of complaints among anglers who weren’t permitted to keep a trophy bass. However, it wasn’t easy to find a 50 pounder in those days either. I can attest to one thing, though, about those days. From surf guys to bay guys to boaters and ocean fishermen alike, everyone reaped the benefit of a fairly easily obtained “eating” fish. That law back then actually saved the bass numbers from doom, while allowing all anglers to eat a bass. This new law, a lot fear, will not save the bass, but only sustain its numbers. However, the law of old that saved the numbers back then, was never brought up as an addendum choice in 2014. Will the new law do just as good as the laws of old did? Time will certainly tell.

“Bumps in the road”

As the year comes in and striper season opens, time will definitely tell the story as to what, if any problems we have along the way as our new bass laws kick in. Some have told me that they fear the age-old loophole of bringing the kids and wife on board and just keeping as many bass as before. Some have voiced opinions about all fish being returned until a 50 pounder comes over the rail. Others have inquired about mortality rates, and smaller, throat hooked bass being tossed over. However, if you think about it, these are not problems that haven’t been around all along. It almost seems as though a one-fish limit would prevent at least some mortality rate, but all of these scenarios have been hashed and re-hashed before the law was passed. Again, a lot of the old, old, old school, hard core bass guys would have loved to see trophy bass in the 40 to 50 pound range cut out completely. They believe that this is the only way to save larger fish from demise.

New regulations are increasingly geared towards protection of the 2011 striped bass stock as they approach breeding age. This photo from 2011 shows one of those fish from the survey that documented the biggest breeding year in the 58 years of the seine survey.

“Catch and release saviors”

With the old school bass guys being in favor of a law that was never an option this time around, those same old schoolers are telling me this…they bless the day anglers got on board in big numbers to release striped bass. According to many, the “1 @ 32” pledge and other digs like it are, in the end, going to be the deciding factor in actually saving the striped bass… not just sustaining its numbers. In my opinion, nothing could be more truthful. Releasing bass is a practice that not only a good number of anglers, but a GREAT number are now practicing. I do hear comments now and again as to why I toss keeper fish back, but most anglers in the surf are on board with it. To see all the support of catch and release on Facebook, and actually seeing a few boats who have catch and release trips going on, it seems as though that this is, if anything, what will help immensely to save the striped bass. Will it do what we really want it to do? That is, increase the numbers as we take fish? Without getting into a whole big “juggling of the bio-mass” and just keeping the strategy simple, the old adage goes like this; each individual angler has the power to make decisions that will make or break the fish populations in the northeast. If all of us make the right decision, there would never be a problem. Yet troubling stories like the illegal striper poaching in the waters both north and south of us make me wonder how money can drive these individuals to destroy our striper stock with no concern for the tremendous impact these illegal fish have on all of OUR bass! With others not willing to help bass numbers in surrounding areas, the individual angler who is releasing fish, is bigger than you will ever know. Toss a bass back once and help our cause. It is you who can offset the negative attempts of others. Good luck and great fishing.