2017 VA Flounder Regulations

[Loggy]

Per 2/28/VA Marine Resources Commission Meeting:

February 28, 2017: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission board today voted to raise recreational summer flounder size limit from 16 to 17 inches, due to below average reproduction over the past six years and to meet a requirement of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The daily possession limit will remain at four fish per angler, and the season will remain open year-round. In other action, the board revoked the fishing licenses of a commercial harvester for the third time in the past four years, this time for five years for fishing while under license revocation.

For folks fishing OC MD & other MD tributaries plus DE word has it they are trying to obtain uniformity between these States. Bob....mebbie you could chime in on NJ as NJ is usually somewhat different.

I foresee an early run this season with the abnormally warm winter.

[Loggy]

Won't be too long!!

2016 Mid April

[Loggy]

Looks like for 2017 MD will be the same as VA:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has made a change to the minimum size for summer flounder starting April 1, 2017…..this will not be an April Fool’s joke. In reaction to the recommendation by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council the MD DNR has changed the minimum size for summer flounder from 16″ in 2016 to 17″ for 2017. The season remains open currently and will remain open until December 31. The new 17″ size limit will take effect on April 1.

[cspot]

Evidently your retirement is having a significant affect on the local populations.

[Loggy]

Mar 6, 2017 19:45:56 GMT -5 cspot said:

Evidently your retirement is having a significant affect on the local populations.

LOL cspot!!  Funny you say that as at my retirement party they said "fish beware Loggy's retiring!!" Kiddin aside I really think the commercial netters hurt the resource much more than the sport fisherman.  Also, I was hoping they would allow one undersized fish as part of your 4 fish limit.  I think this would save many flounder as many fisherman don't properly handle undersized throwbacks resulting in a high mortality rate.  In many striper seasons they require use of circle hooks(non-offset) which saves tons of fish. You rarely have a gut hook with a non-offset circle hook. 

[cspot]

Good info Loggy. Didn't know that about circle hooks.

[Loggy]

Mar 6, 2017 20:32:22 GMT -5 cspot said:

Good info Loggy. Didn't know that about circle hooks.

Your welcome Cspot!  I will start a lil thread on circle hooks.  I've been using them for several years now & they're amazing!  My hook-up have been just as reliable as regular hooks plus they really benefit our resource to boot!