NC giant bass and blues

[Frightnight]

Really? Commercial takes less fish than anglers? Even with all the fish they catch in those nets? Have to take your word for it, because I do not know enough about this to say. Only thing that comes to my mind is..... anglers can release stripers under 28", and there are many catch and release anglers, correct? The fish caught in these nets die before they can be released, even the schoolies? Am I right? I am just asking, because I don't know?

[Striper134]

I do in fact encourage good fish handling when at all possible. I also encourage C&R (Catch/Release). During the course of the season we catch many fish over legal size and most of the fly fisherman like to see them go back. Ok with that being said I go ahead and handle them with care, try to get a quick pic and revive the fish. I guess what I should do is take this mentality. Screw it catch and keep all or someone else will. Its really just grim to see mass quantities of bass being taken like this anywhere. And as far as the RI fish traps that are out there for "Squid and Scup" they claim. Sure and I haven't seen about 6 blue barrels of small illegal BFT taken in one day. Well thats also a grim scene here. Just another "grandfathered" operation gone bad really. One day it will be gone according to RI DEM who claims to be aboard many of the boats that empty them daily Sure and I just saw a guy reel a Cod in off First Beach.

I guess I would just love to see better regs south of New England. Growing up I can remember not seeing or catching many bass of any size or number for that matter. Now with proper regs and better food sources more big fish and better numbers seem to make it worth getting out of bed. Now as far as reproduction on bass how many fish may not breed there in the Carolina's. Does research know that we here in New England don't have late spawn out fish during summer? They go to the Outer Banks for one thing....FOOD and comfy water temps my man. Many if not more than 80% of the bass population resides in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay Basins for breeding in late March until June.

[Frightnight]

Thanks for all the info... You are very knowledgeable. I hope the fish keep coming back here.

[capt gary]

Well, I see I got ya'll fired up. Fighting the fight to stop the wholesale slaughter here. FYI, NC DMF extended the comercial 3 day season to 5 weeks to meet the quota the Feds let them kill....480,00 pounds. Fish was imposible with the net boats this year. I was set ON twice!