J Barbosa Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 WE KILLED ALL THE STRIPED BASS, NOW WE ARE KILLING ALL THE BLACKFISH. BEWARE SEA ROBINS, DOGFISH, AND SKATES WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU NEXT!!! Seriously though...how long before the blackfish population is in trouble? Since the striper fishing has been in the toilet I've noticed a huge uptick in blackfishing. It seems like every angler and boat in the state switched over in early November. Even before then many were running "striper + blackfish" combos because the fishing was so poor. Remember: "The Tautog is a slow growing, long-lived species with individuals over 30 years of age." That 15" tog your sticking in the cooler is over 6-7 years old. I am not saying release them all just think about it the next time you catch a 10lb+ blackfish. Please consider how old that fish is before you kill it. You can't replace fish that old overnight. I was talking to a friend after the last ASFMC meeting in August and he said..."I can't believe how few tackle shop owners, party & charter boat captains show up at these meetings." I told him they really don't care what happens to the striped bass they will just move onto the next species as long as they can still get their $$ for the fare or charter. I hate to be right in some cases but I foresee a time where dogfish will be our next gamefish. The local docks will have signs "Sea Robin Charters - 3/4 day". DONT LAUGH...there was once a time when BLACKFISH were considered a GARBAGE fish! (*member formerly known as 'JohnB.') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0k3r Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Togs are structure oriented fish. Enough pounding on one piece of bottom will remove most of the keeper size fish on that pile. Then boats just move to another piece nearby. Rinse and repeat. Good thing the rec. season is very short lived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly By Nite Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Blackfish are done. Better get while the gettins good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fergal Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 How long before tog are in trouble?... You're a little late with that concern since they've been in trouble for quite some time. There's a bigger price on their heads than there is for bass. ASMFC - Destroying public resources and fisheries one stock at a time since 1942. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSpaniard Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I'm pretty sure the Tog stocks are already considered to be really low. I believe they have been doing "reductions" through regs and closures to reduce harvest the past 3-5 years. I have to tell you though. While there is a lot of pressure from the rec's in the tog fishery I would just love to see how many big fat toggies are in the fish traps strung all over the place..... I went into an asian supermarket over here in PA a few years back and they had 40-50 live togs swimming around in their tank for purchase. Most were 5-6#'s but they had some real bruisers in there. John Create instead of living off the buying and selling of others....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyHillBilly Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 If dogfish become the next hot ticket I'm starting a guide service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly By Nite Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 How long before tog are in trouble?... You're a little late with that concern since they've been in trouble for quite some time. There's a bigger price on their heads than there is for bass. There is by far more interest and money making involved in rec stripe trash fishin. Little boats, charters, party boats, and surf anglers heavily target these fish and they expect to bring home da meat. The black market sale of tautog has always been a serious problem but nobody really cares because it's all about the fish of teh Gods- the stripe trash. The most important fish on the planet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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