[coralhorizon]

Can we still striper fish legally? I thought the last day was the wednesday before last.

 

[sand flea]

You can still fish for them in the bay. It's just catch-and-release. Try to use single hooks or crush the barbs on your trebles, though.

The Atlantic season remains open.

 

[*BRANDON*]

I try not to use trebles now but i think single hooks on a mirror lure messes up the action. So i just crush the barbs on the hooks and there pretty easy to release.

 

[Tom Powers]

The last day in the bay was Dec. 31st. The coastal season is still open 28 inch minimum. As was stated you can still fish C&R inside the bay. Viriginia saltwater fisheries are all possession laws. If you return the fish to the water right away you are legal.

Tom

 

[LouDog]

ACTUALLLLLY...you may not target the species (keyword is target) ....even if you intend to release.

That being said......go blue fishin!

Not trying to start an argument,debate,issue,etc.........good luck just fishing!

 

[Tom Powers]

LouDog,

The targeting deal is only in the ocean beyond the 3 mile line. See below for reg.

Here are the applicable sections for VA waters, i.e. coastal waters closer than 3 nm, Chesapeake Bay and inland waters.

4 VAC-20-252-50B. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to possess any striped bass while fishing in an area where or at a time when there is no open recreational striped bass season. Striped bass caught contrary to this provision shall be returned to the water immediately.

4 VAC-20-252-50C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to possess striped bass in excess of the possession limit applicable for the area and season being fished. Striped bass taken in excess of the possession limit shall be returned to the water immediately.

4 VAC-20-252-50E. It shall be unlawful for any person while actively fishing pursuant to a recreational fishery to possess any striped bass that are smaller than the minimum size limit or larger than the maximum size limit for the area and season then open and being fished. Any striped bass caught that does not meet the applicable size limit shall be returned to the water immediately.




Here is reg on Striped Bass in the EEZ.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 3]
[Revised as of October 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

(b) Atlantic striped bass fishery. In addition to the prohibitions
set forth in Sec. 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person
to do any of the following:
(1) Fish for Atlantic striped bass in the EEZ.
(2) Harvest any Atlantic striped bass from the EEZ.
(3) Possess any Atlantic striped bass in or from the EEZ, except in
the following area: The EEZ within Block Island Sound, north of a line
connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and Block Island Southeast
Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line connecting Point Judith
Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island,
RI. Within this area, possession of Atlantic striped bass is permitted,
provided no fishing takes place from the vessel while in the EEZ and the
vessel is in continuous transit.
(4) Retain any Atlantic striped bass taken in or from the EEZ.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[LouDog]

I was wrong Tom......was going to post a retraction but you beat me to it.....thanks...