Are any of you guys members of,  or familiar with the Hudson River Fishermans Association?  I just got a membership package from them and am thinking about joining.  Sounds like a good group to get involved with. Only cost $25 a year...They have a lot of  Tournaments during the year, the first being for Stripers and Bluefish  starting  May 10th.with a $100,000 grand prise for biggest Striper over 50 lbs. and Bluefiosh over 20 lbs....Thought I'd give it a shot,  You can check it out on www.stripedbassderby .com

Something I've always wanted to fish for but don't seem to have the time. May is a busy month for me. One of these years.
Lifemember and Bushwacker SMF http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u194/wellsleyny/NAFC_Life_Member1.jpg

Due to low numbers of shad, only catch and release is allowed. This year you will not be able to use the shad for cutbait for stripers. The herring is still OK, though.

 

 

Chris NAFC Life Member USN Veteran Member of American Legion Post #1683

Those are proposed changes, they aren't in effect yet, they're still taking comments from the public on them. The regulations in this years book are still in effect. Odd how the sport angler will have to throw all of his catch back, when it's the commercial harvest that has the largest impact.
There is no greater fisherman than "the guy here yesterday."

From the way I read it, it is in effect:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStorie...yID=673523

Chris NAFC Life Member USN Veteran Member of American Legion Post #1683

My mistake. I took my reading from the DEC website, which has now been updated with your more current information. Now that I know who the real authority is, I'll stop posting.
There is no greater fisherman than "the guy here yesterday."

I certainly didn't mean to sound like a prick.

I'm sorry if I came across that way.

 

 

Chris NAFC Life Member USN Veteran Member of American Legion Post #1683

Why can't you use them for bait? Just because you can catch them by rod and reel and keep them? I plan to still use shad chunks, I'll just buy them from the commercial guys like I have been for years now. In the past I paid $2 a piece for them but I bet they go up to $5 this year! Btw, am I the only one who was floored when DEC decided that the best way to help the shad population was to allow commercial harvest, but cease recreational harvest?