[615322]

Ok this may not be to popular but I am gonna do it anyway. After seeing all
the reports since saturday it raises some concern. At what point does someone
step in and say that the flounder population is in trouble? That side of the
industry needs serious help. It worked for the Bass, why not for flounder? I
own a tackle shop and believe me a moratorium would hurt me. But I can
remember when Oyster bay on the sound side was loaded with fish. Now you can
fish all day and come home with one for the whole boat.It's just a little
scary that this has not been addressed.In the past five years I have refused
to keep any flounder. And it hurt to throw some nice fish back. But I worry
because where are all the small fish?

Just a thought.

 

[615322]

I know i'll get hung for this!

Ok here goes another unpopular thought. Lets all take a nuetral step back and look at the situation. Lets watch the progressive curve of the downfall. Mid eighties the powers that be put in affect a very agressive plan for stripers. About the time that the bass begin to make a come back bunker boats slam the region. Now all these fish begin to filter out of the hudson and are very hungry. If my memory serves me correct The flounder begin to pull out of the harbors around mid april. Ok now we have a bunker deficit due to spotter air craft and the Bunker boats. Now during 1990 and 1991 the flounder population was fine. On the head boat I was employed we had a gentleman from NMFS. come out to study. Well after that a noticable curve in both populations happened. Bass soar and flounder plummet. Also the introduction of the hot new striper lure hits(the Petri fish). I think that if the powers that be lighten up the bass reg's we will see in the near future(about six years)the flounder make a come back. Well I know that this will not be a popular post with the bass sportsman. But we all know that when we get in mothernatures affairs something gets offset.

Again its just an opinion.

 

[615322]

Thank you everyone!!!

It's good to see that i'm not alone on this. maybe if we all band together something can get done. As you know I would be willing to help in any way.