md going to 32" minimum????????

[eshoremd]

rumor has it that md is going to have a 32" minimum for rockfish this coming spring. i say bring it on.

[freedomrules3]

why would they need to change it any? the rocks are doing way better than expected. fact is i believe that is why the blue crab populations are down. i say just let mother nature do her own thing

[eshoremd]

rick, people, or the powers that be, say we caught to many fish this year. i wouldnt worry about too much. i wouldnt say 28"-32" are exactly popular during spring anyway. most fish we catch are between 32"-37".

by the way, im taking you fishing this spring! we'll go to breezy point the end of april. you can drive 2 1/2 hrs. for the ravens then you can travel 1 1/2 for 40 plus" rock!

[davep]

I can't understand why they ever lowered it in the first place.What the heck is "trophy" about a 28" fish? Remmber,the season started as a Spring Trophy season.I can't recall,but you were allowed 1 or 2 PER SEASON! I say,make it a 36" min,or better.
As to the crab scarcity BS,that's all it is.BS.Stomach content analysis has been done to death,for going on 1/2 a century.Crabs may make up a significant portion of a particular,individual fish (think:oppotunistic feeders),but all in all,they are a small part of the diet.Anyone else remember when the only buyers for females were picking houses? Even now,what were they bringing a coupleweeks ago$10,$12?.Was down to $8/bu a few years back.A friend was catching 20+/- bu per day of females late season,and getting what for it?They're a very prolific species,IF given the chance.Currentsat the mouth of the Bay have a HUGE impact on recruitment of juvies back into the Bay.How's about we declare a moratorium on females for a couple of years? Wouldn't cost that much to compensate commercial guys for lost landings of females,considering their relatively low dockside value.Done rant.Good day!