1@32 Pledge.....and Free Decals

1@32 Pledge Decals are available. Just shoot me a message with your name and address and I will get a decal out to you. If you support the pledge and use Facebook, please be sure to join the Facebook group page. Over 1,500 anglers strong and growing.

Ross

Attachment 17968

The 1@32 Pledge is an interim step that we are proposing to help reduce striped bass mortality.

While catch and release is always preferred, the pledge is simple...in situations when you do not practice catch and release, you pledge to only take one fish per day at no less than 32". The 1@32 Pledge applies to striped bass caught from the surf or shore, on private boats, and party boats.

So you're the one that started that? Awesome! Good job Ross and welcome to stripers and anglers. I will have to check out your fb page. Thanks!

Hey thank you for the idea and welcome. What gave you the inspiration?

Got mine on other site great job much appreciated thanks again

Cool beans thanks for the good work and welcome to s&a.

Yes thank you and good luck.

Thanks for the welcome. The idea for the pledge came out of increasing frustration with the declining numbers of striped bass and the ongoing delays with the ASMFC in getting their act together. The tipping point came when I saw that they put off any action until 2015. Something needed to be done now and the pledge idea which is only an interim step took off from there. Lot's of great ideas from other people, people offering to help, make donations, contribute products...

So we have a nice following but the true test will be when it's time to either write letters, show up at meetings, and make phone calls. The commercial sector is strongly aligned while the recreational sector is splintered. Some promoting a narrow solution, others promoting overall conservation, and then another portion promoting the rights of the party boats and fishing manufacturers.

The next big meeting will be in May with the ASMFC supposedly coming back with their recommendations followed by a period of public comment and hopefully a final decision in October. We shall see...

Ross

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LISurfcaster

The next big meeting will be in May with the ASMFC supposedly coming back with their recommendations followed by a period of public comment and hopefully a final decision in October. We shall see...

Ross

---

Wondering what your thoughts were on that meeting Ross. Will they actually listen to any of the public comments when they have not in the past?

Welcome aboard LI Surfcaster. :HappyWave:
I share your same sentiments about the ASMFC and have been watching them give lip service to the striped bass fishery for the last 7 years, saying one thing and doing another.

At one time I believed we as fishermen could change that. Now, after all these years, I am beginning to see a pattern where it seems they pretend to listen to us but already have their own agenda. Sadly, I feel somehow there is corruption among the ranks, and that commercial interests are a strong presence behind the scenes.

The clearest way for us to change that, is to identify the most lax at the ASMFC, the ones that consistently speak how healthy the striped bass fishery is, and apply pressure for their removal, whether they are representatives of our chosen political party or not.

My experience trying to get fishermen involved in these things has shown me that many folks will rant and rave on the internet, but when it comes time for action, they just will not rally in sufficient numbers to scare the politicians into action. And that is the only thing that many politicians understand, swift and severe action of voting for their opponent, and getting the entrenched ones out of office.

I like your idea of the interim measure of one at 32". There are various movements out there.....and I believe that despite the apathy we should not give up.....please let me know if there is anything we can do to give your cause further publicity.....

Welcome aboard.....and thanks for your effort..........:thumbsup:




**Sometimes, in the longest battles.....the tide can turn....with the most determined warriors.....food for thought..... If Bob Pond were alive now, he would not give up either......:learn:

I wish I had a crystal ball to see how all of this will shake out. The fact that the Technical Assessment was accepted by the Striped Bass Management Board (SBMB) is a very good thing as now they cannot ignore the science and the data. The trends seemingly compel them to act. Even with the Technical Assessment having been accepted some Board members are questioning the science and trying to raise questions to water down any action that the Board may take. Listening to the webinars of these meetings it is amazing to see some board members passionately calling for measures to improve the striped bass fishery while others are firm in their opinion that no problem exists.

My real hope is that when the time comes for people to act they will. Something tells me that many of the Pledge people will - it seems to resonate with a lot of people that are concerned and worried about the downward trends. Each legislator on the SBMB needs to hear from their constituents. The facebook pledge page lists all the representatives on the SBMB in the files section of the page. They all strive to remain in power and my sense is that a large outpouring could begin to influence their votes. The governors of each state are players in this too but they may be too big to influence...I just don't know.

My gut tells me that at the next ASMFC meeting there will be recommendation to cut the commercial quota (~30%) and a decision to limit recreational landings to one fish at 28". Not sure what if anything they will do to protect spawning fish?? There are people and organizations out there that probably have a better pulse on how things may shake out...be sure to check out the blob put out by Charlie Witek...http://oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com...s-in-word.html and the recommendations contained in the NY Coalition for Recreational Fishing letter is also worth reviewing http://www.nycrf.com/stripedbassreductionletter.pdf

Time will tell - stay tuned.

Ross

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DarkSkies

I share your same sentiments about the ASMFC and have been watching them give lip service to the striped bass fishery for the last 7 years, saying one thing and doing another.

At one time I believed we as fishermen could change that. Now, after all these years, I am beginning to see a pattern where it seems they pretend to listen to us but already have their own agenda. Sadly, I feel somehow there is corruption among the ranks, and that commercial interests are a strong presence behind the scenes.

The clearest way for us to change that, is to identify the most lax at the ASMFC, the ones that consistently speak how healthy the striped bass fishery is, and apply pressure for their removal, whether they are representatives of our chosen political party or not.

**Sometimes, in the longest battles.....the tide can turn....with the most determined warriors.....food for thought..... If Bob Pond were alive now, he would not give up either......:learn:

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LISurfcaster

I wish I had a crystal ball to see how all of this will shake out. The fact that the Technical Assessment was accepted by the Striped Bass Management Board (SBMB) is a very good thing as now they cannot ignore the science and the data. The trends seemingly compel them to act. Even with the Technical Assessment having been accepted some Board members are questioning the science and trying to raise questions to water down any action that the Board may take. Listening to the webinars of these meetings it is amazing to see some board members passionately calling for measures to improve the striped bass fishery while others are firm in their opinion that no problem exists.

My real hope is that when the time comes for people to act they will. Something tells me that many of the Pledge people will - it seems to resonate with a lot of people that are concerned and worried about the downward trends. Each legislator on the SBMB needs to hear from their constituents. The facebook pledge page lists all the representatives on the SBMB in the files section of the page. They all strive to remain in power and my sense is that a large outpouring could begin to influence their votes. The governors of each state are players in this too but they may be too big to influence...I just don't know.

My gut tells me that at the next ASMFC meeting there will be recommendation to cut the commercial quota (~30%) and a decision to limit recreational landings to one fish at 28". Not sure what if anything they will do to protect spawning fish??

Ross

---

Thanks guys for sharing your opinions. I really think they should shut down all bay and river fishing till all the fish have spawned. Give them a month or 3 weeks and then let fishermen have at em. This would make sense but I think the commercial fishermen would not allow it. Any other thoughts?

What about the party and charter boats that take their limits all the time with bonus tag? Don't you all think something should be done about them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by storminsteve

Thanks guys for sharing your opinions. I really think they should shut down all bay and river fishing till all the fish have spawned. Give them a month or 3 weeks and then let fishermen have at em. This would make sense but I think the commercial fishermen would not allow it. Any other thoughts?

---

Have at them with much more stricter limits.
1 at 32 or 1 at 36 would be my preference.
But the "let them spawn" idea is excellent and should be put in place. But instead the meat men will be out there killing them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by surferman

What about the party and charter boats that take their limits all the time with bonus tag? Don't you all think something should be done about them?

---

Yes, 1 at 32 or 1 at 36 and the bonus tag should be obliterated.

I think if you cut fishing during the spawn you would probably have these bass come back like gangbusters. I think you gents are right tho, no real chance of that happening as its all politics and stuff behind the scenes.

Good job Ross. Noticed on the other site there were like 70 replies. The saddest thing about that is at least half were arguing with you on the size limit. You must have done some research before you came up with the 1 @ 32" concept. There were all these stunods telling you why you should change your notion to fit theirs. Some of the comments were so idiotic that I doubt some of these folks fish they seem like internet fishermen. This is why there is so much trouble getting fishermen to act together. In the society we live in everyone thinks they have a right to have their particular wants or needs followed. What happened to the idea of compromise. You are the one who had the initiative. They should all be patting you on the back instead of trying to fine tune your ideas. Unbelievable the stupidity in some of those comments. Thank you and keep it up. I previously signed on the fb page. let's keep this thing going.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dogfish

There were all these stunods telling you why you should change your notion to fit theirs. Some of the comments were so idiotic that I doubt some of these folks fish they seem like internet fishermen. This is why there is so much trouble getting fishermen to act together.. Unbelievable the stupidity in some of those comments. Thank you and keep it up. I previously signed on the fb page. let's keep this thing going.

---

Just read the following comment on the barn-

Quote:

---

Then after doing some digging it would appear that this is being funded and promoted by PEW to a large extent, and to generalize I feel that PEW is the real enemy to catch and release fishing. So I have very mixed emotions on this one.

---

Are you in any way affiliated with PEW? What a toolbag that guy was what a ****** comment!
This is why fishermen can't get anything done someone like Ross comes along and tries to make a diffrence and the negative nellys line up.http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...ons/icon13.png

^^^^^^ Well you know what they say opinions are like A*SHOLES and everyone has one. Don't sweat it ross I checked out the fb page and didn't see any connections to pew what so ever. Keep up the good work

There is too much nonsense and chatter out there. Folks have forgotten the meaning of fighting together for a common cause. The stripers used to extend as far north as new brunswick and lower canada and now they are very scarce. There is plenty of food and also plenty of fishermen with the latest electronics. This type of large scale electronic advantage did not exist 30 years ago.

Just to clarify...the 1@32 Pledge has absolutely no connection with PEW. None whatsoever. When you see this type of misinformation being spread it makes you wonder if you are hitting a chord with some people. So be it...I agree with much of what has been written here. It is very difficult to get like-minded people on the same page and that is one of the challenges that we face. Charlie Witek writes and incredibly lucid blog that deals with striped bass issues and fisheries management. It is without question the best writing that I have found out there that explains the challenges and forces at work. If you have a few minutes check out his blog here and see for yourself. His latest post is eye-opening as he describes the forces at work within the recreational sector. You can catch the blog here: http://oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com...anagement.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LISurfcaster

Just to clarify...the 1@32 Pledge has absolutely no connection with PEW. None whatsoever. When you see this type of misinformation being spread it makes you wonder if you are hitting a chord with some people. So be it...I agree with much of what has been written here. It is very difficult to get like-minded people on the same page and that is one of the challenges that we face. Charlie Witek writes and incredibly lucid blog that deals with striped bass issues and fisheries management. It is without question the best writing that I have found out there that explains the challenges and forces at work. If you have a few minutes check out his blog here and see for yourself. His latest post is eye-opening as he describes the forces at work within the recreational sector. You can catch the blog here: http://oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com...anagement.html

---

Thanks for everything lisurfcaster. Where I fish the rivers of th LI sound there are not a lot of big fish. I catch and release schoolies during the season and once in a while the bigger fish are there usually in the fall. I rarely keep one but if I do it will be the one at 32".

Don't worry about the haters. I started a catch and release thread here and it has a lot of views.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...release-thread
Maybe some don't like it but it seems to be catching on. We all have to try to do our part and thanks for doing yours.

Good job I see the facebook numbers grew from the beginning of the year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LISurfcaster

. It is very difficult to get like-minded people on the same page and that is one of the challenges that we face. Charlie Witek writes and incredibly lucid blog that deals with striped bass issues and fisheries management. It is without question the best writing that I have found out there that explains the challenges and forces at work. If you have a few minutes check out his blog here and see for yourself. His latest post is eye-opening as he describes the forces at work within the recreational sector. You can catch the blog here: http://oneanglersvoyage.blogspot.com...anagement.html

---

Haters gonna hate. Don't sweat it dude keep doing what you're doing and best of luck.

I don't think the guy below ever read charlie witek's blog or has any level of understanding. I copied this from another site and it struck me as particularly ignorant.

Quote:

---

I don't know about this... 1 over 32" ? I'd support the EXACT opposite.
I don't think you thought things through before starting this. You certainly did not seek the input of the community. Everyone seems divided on this, and when we as surfcasters are divided on an issue, nothing is going to happen... just my $0.02. Good initiative, but lack of discussion over this "pledge" is going to hurt any form of traction.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cowherder

Don't worry about the haters. I started a catch and release thread here and it has a lot of views.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...release-thread
Maybe some don't like it but it seems to be catching on. We all have to try to do our part and thanks for doing yours.

---

I think like you here cowherder. Its definitely "catching on". More surf casters are understanding that there is less and less bass around to catch. And that if something is not done soon to stop all the killing of Striped Bass, catching will be rare. As more and more people get on board, hopefully peer pressure will grow on the meat men (AKA rip, johnny schmucktail, the charter and party boats (that kill stupid numbers of breeders, etc.)) will have an effect on them and regulations will be tightened big time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monty

As more and more people get on board, hopefully peer pressure will grow on the meat men (AKA rip, johnny schmucktail, the charter and party boats (that kill stupid numbers of breeders, etc.)) will have an effect on them and regulations will be tightened big time.

---

:clapping:Johnny Shmucktail!! ROFLMAO!!!!!! I def agree that kid has no clue. catching stripers for the widows and orphans who is he kidding he is probably selling them to pay for the days fuel. Seriously though you have to get a little bummed when you think if that is the attitude of one 17 year old, that could be the attitude of the future with no bass. It's funny if you look for similarities that some of the older guys here who talked about filling garbage cans full of bass and weakfish had the same attitude then that johnny shmucktail has now. Spot on you nailed it. whatever happened to that guy rip btw? Its like he vanished into thin air.

^^^^ God you folks have some weird characters down in Joisey. We don't have problems like like that here. If we do we just drop a deuce in their boat and they get the message.

Thank you for all you are doing Ross. I will check out the fb page.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dogfish

^^^^ God you folks have some weird characters down in Joisey. We don't have problems like like that here. If we do we just drop a deuce in their boat and they get the message.

---

haha thats sick! Bet they DO get the message though! LIsurfcaster thanks for bringing attention to this, maybe at the next meeting they will listen like you said.

Attachment 18055

^^^^ cool!