Publication: Coastal Journal (August 8th, 2007)
Author: Robert Fernald
Picture: Matt Boutet

The 17 Rivers Striper Tournament is a month long saltwater fishing tournament promoting catch & release practices and sustainability. This format uses photos to establish fish scores and by doing so sets a new standard for tournament organizers. Slated for September, anglers have the opportunity to participate in a fun fishing tournament and possibly win big prizes.

The tournament website http://www.mainestriperseptember.com/ offers a great deal of useful information for saltwater anglers. The site will support the tournament and allow anglers to easily upload digital photos and share them with others in the fishing community via a unique photo slideshow element.

The striped bass fishing in the coastal waters of Maine is world-class. It offers anglers the opportunity to explore the many interesting “nooks and crannies” of Maine while casting for fish. It is a reason to get out on the water with family and friends, to enjoy nature, view wildlife and capture memories of scenic vistas. Even more importantly, to enjoy fantastic fishing action!

Recreational saltwater fishing has a significant impact on the local economies of Maine. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, in 2006 Maine anglers spent in excess of $28 million on saltwater fishing. For this reason, it’s not hard to imagine why the striper fishery is such a valuable economic resource. Next time you are out on the water, take notice of the numbers of fishermen drift-fishing a shoreline, trolling a bay, wading a flat or casting to breaking fish. Consider all the gear anglers have accumulated pursuing these activities - boats, motors, trailers, a vehicle to pull the load, float tubes, waders, sunglasses, fly rods, reels, flies, hats, specialized clothing, sun block, bug spray, spinning gear, surface lures, jigs, rubber fish, live eels, mackerel, worms… Anglers invest a lot of money in pursuit of fish!

Eco-tourism is another aspect of fishing that is growing and significantly impacts the local economy. Most locals  take this fishery for granted - for others, this opportunity is awesome. Hardcore fishermen think nothing of traveling around the world in pursuit of great fishing opportunities, and they enjoy visiting destinations like Maine. While here they hire guides, rent cottages and spend money dining out and shopping. A whole industry is developing around servicing the needs of these sportsmen.

Overall, the saltwater striper fishery has a meaningful impact on our local economy. The Maine Department of Marine Resources estimates in 2005, nearly 400,000 anglers fished for saltwater species and participated in over 1,000,000 fishing excursions. In recognizing the significance of this fishery and its economic impact, we should also recognize the need for protecting this recreational fishery to ensure sustainability. An old farm saying applies, “if you take care of your crop, it will take care of you”.

Avid striper fishermen often catch hundreds of stripers each year and most are released due to their size. The Maine Department of Marine Resources estimates anglers successfully landed 3.25 million stripers in 2005 and harvested over 70,000 fish. The majority of the stripers landed fall between 16-20 inches in length. Their are however fewer of the larger stripers, which are of real significance. These big fish represent the brood fish within the population . They are mature adults and have the quality genetics that are important to sustaining favorable genetic variability within a population. These large fish also produce an exponentially greater number of eggs. For these two reasons alone, anglers should think hard about killing large striper.

What can we do locally to sustain this valuable resource?

If anglers practice catch & release, the striper population will stand a greater chance of remaining vibrant. And if you want a fish for eating, take a slot fish, the impact is much less significant. Also, remember to pack your camera to take a photo of that really large fish before releasing it. The memory of catching a huge striper and having a quality picture is often meaningful years down the road.

Those who fish with bait know it is a very effective strategy for targeting striper and one of the best tactics for catching big fish. However, when fishing bait, the angler typically lets the fish swallow the bait before setting the hook. This often results in the fish being hooked deep in the throat and can be damaging to the fish.

A simple solution to decrease fish mortality is for bait fishermen to use single hooks and in particular, circle hooks. These hooks are shaped with the barb offset towards the shank of the hook. This design results in the hook hanging on the lip and not getting caught in the gut. It is much easier to remove and less harmful for the fish

So, this fall, get out and enjoy the great striper fishing and think about the future of this wonderful recreational resource when you release that monster striper. You’ll be grinning ear-to-ear when you do.