Here is the survey that should have been in the body of the last e-mail. Just hit reply, fill out, then send. Brad
My Name ___________________________ e-mail ______________________ Town __________________ State_____________
State of the fishery:
1. I fish mostly in the following state, town _______________/_________________
2. I fish from a boat what percentage of the time__________%
3. I have fished regularly for stripers for this many years__________
4. In my opinion striper fishing in the past five years has changed as follows
(circle one) much worse, worse, stayed the same, improved somewhat, improved greatly.
5. The average size of the stripers that I catch now has changed as follows:
much smaller, somewhat smaller, no change, somewhat larger, much larger
6. The number of stripers I catch per hour of fishing time on the water is (circle one)
much less, less, about the same, more, many more
7. Because of the changes in the striped bass fishery my inclination to take a professionally guided striped bass trip has changed as follows: (circle one)
Less likely, about the same, more likely
Bag and size limits, conservation:
1. Forgetting for a moment current striped bass regulations, and starting with a clean sheet, I think that recreational anglers should be able to keep at least one school striper (possibly different from state to state, but probably between 18 and 28 inches in length) per day for personal consumption.
(circle one) Yes, No
2. If you answered yes to #1, should this smaller fish be allowed instead of, or in addition to, a bass of some larger size? (circle one) Instead of, In addition to
3. Do you think that recreational anglers should be able to keep only large stripers (at least 28 inches in size)? (circle one) Yes, No
4. If you answered yes what should the minimum size be? (circle the size closest to the one you believe is best) 28”, 32”, 36”, 40”
5. Do you think we should have a slot limit for recreationally caught stripers? (circle one) Yes, No
6. If you answered yes to #5, what should the minimum and maximum sizes be?
Minimum size _____ Maximum size _____
7. If you said yes, please circle the slot size that is closest to your preference.
20” –26”, 22”– 28”, 24”-30”
8. When commercial fishing is ended, what percentage of the current commercial quota should be saved from harvest as a conservation buffer? The rest would be used to liberalize the recreational harvest (circle one)
25%, 50%, 75%, 100%
9. Would you favor legislation that creates a striped bass stamp costing between $10.00 and $25.00 per year with the funds earmarked to buyout the current commercial fishery? (circle one) Yes, No
10. If you answered yes to #9, should this stamp program end after a fixed number of years, or should the fee continue to fund enforcement and striped bass enhancement programs. (circle one)
End, Continue
Note that SF has no position on this concept but wants to hear member opinions.
11. My personal comments on striped bass management that you have not covered are?
Guides Section: note that your answers above are also appreciated.
1. How has your guiding business for striped bass changed because of the fishery in the last five years? (circle one) worsened considerably, worsened a little, not changed, improved somewhat, improved a great deal
2. How important is keeping a striped bass to your clients? (circle one)
not very important, somewhat important, very important
3. How important to your clients is catching a lot of stripers per trip? (circle one)
not very important, somewhat important, very important
4. How important is catching a really large striper to your clients? (circle one)
not very important, somewhat important, very important
5. Which is more important to my clients, catching big fish or catching a lot of fish? (circle one)
Big Fish, Many Fish
6. I am more likely than I was 5 years ago to make new investments in equipment for my striped bass guiding business? (circle one) Yes, No
7. My comments as to how the management of striped bass is effecting my guiding business:
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