Northeast Striped Bass limits for 2015

[Destroyer]

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Last fall, at a meeting in Mystic, Connecticut, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission***8217;s Striped Bass Management Board voted to implement new coastwide recreational striped bass regulations of 1 fish per day at a minimum size 28 inches, which scientists estimated would achieve a 31% reduction in the harvest.

However, they also gave states the option to form their own ***8220;equivalent***8221; regulations, as long as they achieve at least a 25% reduction.

Every state is approaching this option differently, with some state managers accepting the 1-fish bag limit and other states attempting to come up with 2-fish solutions.

Here is the breakdown by state. I***8217;ll update this information as it changes.



Maine: Two options will be offered for public comment at hearings in January. One option will be a daily bag limit of one fish 28 inches or larger. The other option is still being determined by the department, but would likely be an adjusted slot system. Under current regulations, anglers in Maine can catch one striped bass per day as long as the fish is between 20 and 26 inches in length (known as a slot limit) or more than 40 inches.

New Hampshire: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.

Massachusetts: The Mass DMF is currently accepting public comment on a proposal to reduce the bag limit to 1-fish at the existing 28-inch minimum size and adopt alternative measures for anglers onboard for-hire vessels to allow a 2-fish bag limit at a higher minimum size.

Proposed Massachusetts For-Hire Options include:
1. 2-fish bag limit with a 33-inch minimum size; or
2. 2-fish bag limit with one fish between 28 and 36 inches and one fish of at least 40 inches.

Rhode Island: Rhode Island has not yet announced any additional public comment opportunities. Rick Bellavance of the R.I. Party and Charter Boat Association has suggested that Rhode Island will be submitting a two-fish option for customers on charter and party boats at the ASMFC***8217;s meeting on February 5 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Connecticut: Connecticut has not yet announced any additional public comment opportunities. It has been rumored that the state is considering a two-fish option for customers on charter and party boats.

New York: On January 13, NY***8217;s Marine Resources Advisory Council voted to recommend a 2-fish bag limit for the entire recreational sector. These regulations have not been finalized.

1 fish 28***8243;-34***8243;
1 fish over 36***8243; (or at a minimum size that scientists find to be in compliance)

New Jersey: The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved a two-fish limit that is waiting on legislative approval.

NJ 2015 Striper Regs (pending): 1 fish 28 to 43 inches & 1 fish 43 inches or above per day

Delaware: Delaware***8217;s Division of Fish & Wildlife will schedule a public hearing on the recreational options in ***8220;early 2015.***8221; The hearing record will be open for 30 days at that time and Delaware***8217;s 2015 recreational regulation will be set after thorough consideration of public input.

Maryland: Maryland officials held a public comment period in December on a proposal to reduce the individual daily creel limit from 2 to 1 fish and maintain the current season and 28-inch minimum size limit. An official announcement has not yet been made.

Virginia: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.

North Carolina: The daily creel limit for striped bass has been reduced to one fish per day, minimum size 28 inches.

[SkunkBoat]

I can live with the new nj striper limit. Now the fluke size limit is a different story...

[Kracker Jack]

I would be fairly happy with the one fish limit here in virginia aslong as they would let us fish beyond the 3 mile line (demarcation line). Our Rockbass pattern has changed big time! We havent had a decent rockfish season in about 4 years. Our fish are feeding on baits 10 to 15 miles offshore. Hardly any fish work inside the 3 mile line.....our rockbass seasons have very odd for a while now.

[Destroyer]

Personally, I love catching Stripers, but I don't care for their taste all that much, so I return them to the sea again to live. That's one of the reasons I spend so much time in the Hackensack River. It's a breeding ground, and so there are lots of shorts. Fun to catch, but still easy to return to the water without harming them. On a good day I'll catch and release 15-25 fish.
Now Fluke, on the other hand, are a different subject. If they're legal, they're in my freezer by the end of the day.

[000's]

I have been rock fishing for a long time, I used to run charter boats for a living. All of that is a ucking joke. They need to step up and do something about omega. One fish a day not worth the fuel to go besides the amount of fish at 40 miles is offfff the hook. No shortage of fish ,they just don't come up on the beach. Its simple no bait NO FISH, then add the low oxygen levels. But again Gov't with all its wisdom and knowledge at work.

[Kracker Jack]

Originally Posted by 000's

I have been rock fishing for a long time, I used to run charter boats for a living. All of that is a ucking joke. They need to step up and do something about omega. One fish a day not worth the fuel to go besides the amount of fish at 40 miles is offfff the hook. No shortage of fish ,they just don't come up on the beach. Its simple no bait NO FISH, then add the low oxygen levels. But again Gov't with all its wisdom and knowledge at work.

Omega!!!! Bastards! We call em the blue boats. You hit the nail on the head! The rockfish fisherie offshore is insane......just cant touch em.