Bob & Mag

Received today from CT DEP....

Declaration of Regulation Change

Bold text = change from 2007 regulations

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Tautog (Blackfish) Recreational Fishery Rules
Minimum Length: 14 inches total length

Open Season ------------- Creel Limit
January 1 - April 30 .................. 4
July 1 - August 31 .................. 2
October 1 - December 6 ......... 4
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Tautog (Blackfish) Commercial Fishery Rules

Gear Group ------------------------- Possession Limit
Hook, fish pot, trap net, fyke net, gill net ........ 25
Lobster pot............................................... .. 10
Pound Trawl ............................................... 12
Trawl .................................................. ...... 50
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Open Season (All gear groups*)
January 1 - April 30
June 15 - August 31
October 15 - December 6
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* Note that the pound net fishery is now closed during the
commercial closed seasons.

Mentioned in the newsletter:
"For the recreational fishery, the Department considered the needs
of both the largely shore-based summer fishery and the largely
boat-based fall fishery in implementing these new measures.
Sacrificing 8 days in December provided 62 days of summer opportunity
for kids, seniors and others without the means for boat-based fishing
as well as for bait and tackle shops that depend on their business."

For further information, contact the
DEP Marine Fisheries Division
P.O. Box 719
Old Lyme, CT 06371

or by phone

860.434.6043 between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

Smoke free 4 Months!

PG

"July 1 - August 31 .................. 2"

Why only two during this time. Are Blackfish easy to catch during the summer?

I am so busy chasing the elusive 50lb striper that I forget all about summer blackfish.

PG

Bob & Mag

The meeting I attended on this, had the summer closed.
But the few in attendance mentioned things like people fishing from shore, there was one guy who skin dives for them and they would not get any with the summer closed. The DEP, figured out how many days to give up out of December to at least let summer fishermen get a couple. Plus it was mentioned that when you accidentally catch while going for porgy or other specie, you'd be able to keep it.
Methinks there is going to be a few weeks in spring May and fall september to target stripers as fluke and togs will be closed.

__________________
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

Smoke free 4 Months!

JackC

Short story is that scup, fluke, and seabass are all going to have reduced harvests for 2008. The only fisheries that appear to be stable are bass and bluefish (and I have my doubts about bass). Fluke "open" in September (I doubt it - but we will see), May might even be a problem.

Jack

JackC

PG - forgot to answer your question - YES, you can catch tog in the summer but the fishing is different than the fall run. In my home waters (Clinton,CT ) - I have had good results with tog at Duck Island (off Westbrook - the next port down from Clinton) - right at the Can that marks the rip off the island. Rocky bottom and a tide that is very strong (you don't fish it during the strongest part of the tide). What was fun that I have caught tog, scup, fluke and bass all on the anchor at the this spot during the same fishing session (obviously different baits over the side).

You need to do some research for your local areas or some experimental fishing to find summer tog.

Happy New Year

Jack

eastern boat

A 16 INCH size limit,these fish are very hardy and will live after handling/hooked,this regulation needs to be passed for the commercial sector as well ,my logbooks have always recommended this,these fish need the added protection to build up the bio mass.