THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701260221
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C19 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Hutchinson
LENGTH: 118 lines
Virginia's recreational striped bass anglers have been granted up to 13 additional fishing days for 1997. They should say, ``Thanks, but no thanks.''
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, an umbrella group that regulates all East Coast striper catches, granted the extension at its recent meeting.
The problem is that Virginia's current striper dates cover just about the entire period when rockfish are available in any numbers. The season is now open 107 days.
About the only time dates could be added is at the start of the fall season, which in 1996 was Oct. 17. Adding 13 days would mean an Oct. 4 start.
The bottom line is that there just aren't many stripers available in early October.
Besides, declining the additional days would look good on paper as a conservation measure.
Anglers with opinions on the matter will have a chance to express them Tuesday, when the Virginia Marine Resources Commission meets at its Newport News headquarters.
The 1997 striper season is one of four fishery matters the commissioners will hear Tuesday. They are expected to pass all four on to a public hearing at their Feb. 24 meeting. Final decisions are expected at that time.
Two of the proposals, already approved by the Atlantic States umbrella group, include setting the minimum size for rod-and-reel flounder at 14 1/2 inches with a 10-fish daily bag, and establishing a 9-inch minimum on all sea bass landed in Virginia waters.
Current flounder rules feature an eight-fish bag and 14-inch minimum. The sea bass minimum would be the first for the popular wreck- and reef-dweller.
Also on the agenda Tuesday will be a request by the Virginia Charter Boat Association to reconsider 1997 gray trout regulations. Responding to public requests, the commission last summer changed trout limits to a 14-inch minimum and 10-fish bag. It had been 12 inches and four fish.
Going back to stripers, Virginia's recreational catch will be subject to a quota in 1997 for the first time.
The commission is expected to set the figure at 1.7 million pounds, as approved by the Atlantic States group. That compares with an estimated 950,000 pounds landed in 1995 and between 1.2 million and 1.3 million pounds estimated for 1996.
Jack Travelstead, who heads the Virginia agency's fishery management staff, said he did not anticipate anglers being able to exceed the quota. However, he added that those chances would be slightly less if anglers declined the 13 additional days.
Meanwhile, Virginia's commercial striped bass quota is expected to climb by 310,000 pounds this year, also to 1.7 million pounds.
Open to anyone, Tuesday's meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at commission headquarters, 2600 Washington Ave., Newport News. Fishery items will begin at noon.
SHOW TIME: conclusion of Bassarama '97 today in Richmond signals but the first phase of the state's midwinter outdoor expositions.
The 1997 Bass and Saltwater Expo opens a three-day stand Friday at Hampton Coliseum, with the annual Virginia Boat Show tying up Wednesday through Sunday at the Richmond Centre in the city's downtown section. And the annual Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show steams into the Virginia Beach Pavilion for a Feb. 8-16 mooring.
All three events events will include displays of boats, motors, marine accessories and fishing gear.
In addition, the Hampton show will feature guest appearances by some of the top names from the professional bass-fishing circuit, plus an all-day saltwater seminar Saturday by local and regional angling experts covering both inshore and offshore.
Virginia Boat Show hours will be noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission will be $6 for adults, $3 for those under age 12.
Hours for the Hampton show will be noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission will be $5 for adults, $2 for those age 10-16 and free for those under age 10.
More than 200 boats are expected to be exhibited inside and outside at the Virginia Beach show, which will feature numerous booths staffed by local authorities on fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
Pavilion hours will be: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 7 p.m. the first Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. the second Sunday and 6 to 9 p.m. weekdays. Admission will be $6, free to those age 12 and under if accompanied by an adult.
SHORE SHOW: The annual Cabin Fever Fishing and Tackle Show, set for Feb. 8, will divide its time between Onancock and Tasley on the Eastern Shore.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., boats, motors, fishing tackle and other marine items will be displayed at the National Guard Armory in Onancock, with how-to seminars on boating, fishing and other outdoor topics.
At 6:30, the event will move to the Elks Lodge at nearby Tasley for a wildlife art show, dinner and auction to benefit the program's sponsor, the Coastal Conservation Association of the Eastern Shore.
You can get details and make reservations by calling Bob Fjelstad at 1-757-787-2880.
TAGGERS WANTED: Claude Bain, director of the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament, is looking for a few good taggers.
Recreational fishermen interested in tagging and release fish have until Feb. 15 to register. Bain said he is looking for 160 taggers, 40 from South Hampton Roads.
The program will target seven of the state's most popular species: tautog, speckled trout, gray trout, black drum, red drum, spadefish and cobia. Participants will attend tagging workshops, with gleaned information used in conserving and managing fish stocks.
You can get additional information by calling Bain at 491-5160 in Virginia Beach.
SHORT CASTS: Denny Dobbins, Virginia's 1995 Angler of the Year, has been elected president of the Portsmouth Anglers Club. . . . Pete Bregant will talk on fishing for giant tuna at a Feb. 5 seminar at West Marine on Great Neck Road across from Marina Shores in Virginia Beach. Hours will be 7 to 8:30 p.m. For details and reservations, call 496-9996. . . . George and Rosa Day of Newport, R.I., who recently completed an around-the-world sail, will lecture on their experiences Feb. 22 at the Omni Waterside Hotel on the Norfolk waterfront. For details and reservations, contact BOAT/U.S. at 1-800-937-2628. catches has been extended to Feb. 7 by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The agency has proposed commercial and recreational limits for numerous coastal sharks, including a complete ban on landing great whites. You can comment by writing: William T. Hogarth, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. 20910.