H.4876 is on the meeting agenda for Wed. April 13 at 11:00am in room 407 of the Gressette Building. http://www.scstatehouse.gov/agendas/121s1707.pdf It is important for anyone with an interest to eliminate June from the Lake Murray “5 and done” summertime restrictions to contact their legislators and let them know. While the summertime restrictions have had a great positive effect on our fishery, the inclusion of June is not necessary and represents a “restriction” that doesn’t need to be there.
If you recall, when H.3864 was first proposed back in March of 2011, DNR had held several “town hall” type meetings with the fisherman, of which I attended, and the proposal all along had been “5 and done” from July 1 through September 30. If you want to look at the history of how the proposed regulation changed, you can go to this link: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess119_2011-2012/bills/3864.htm and go through the versions of the bill.
You will notice that the change to include “June” came after the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry committee met between May 19 and June 1 of 2011. This is when a former Lake Murray guide influenced the committee to include the month of June in the regulation. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why a guide would want this added. He can basically take his guide party out, catch their limit of fish, and be back at the dock much quicker with this regulation in place. A business interest, not science, restricted your ability to fish for Stripers in June so now is your chance to get it back.
In my discussions with Ron Ahle, the fisheries biologist for Lake Murray, there is a concern for the lower than average numbers of small fish showing up in their gill net sampling for the Lake. It makes sense that a return to a 21” minimum in June will help return some of the smaller fish to the lake.
The bait dealers on the lake will also appreciate your support of this initiative as their sales are severely hampered by the summertime restrictions. David Clyburn told me he
I disagree with taking away June from the 5 and done. As I stated in the PAC meeting (through email) June gives more “room for error” with mother nature.
Yes everything was fine last year and they schooled and we pulled boards all through June. But what happens when we get a really hot really early summer…might as well have a fish kill, but caused by catch/releasing short fish.
Not sure about other bait shops, but BB&T sees numbers sky rocket from June-Sept. The general public is buying the same amount of bait whether it’s 5 and done or not. That’s what we have seen.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
In my discussions with Ron Ahle, the fisheries biologist for Lake Murray, there is a concern for the lower than average numbers of small fish showing up in their gill net sampling for the Lake. It makes sense that a return to a 21” minimum in June will help return some of the smaller fish to the lake.
Are you saying that Ron Ahle specifically supports doing away with the month of June for lake Murray’s ‘5 & Done’ because if that is the case, then DNR’s recommendation on the matter would weigh far more heavily than any of ours …
As for the bait guys, we personally have never changed the frequency or amount of bait we have purchased as a result of the 5 & Done … I suspect that David’s lagging sales may have more to do with new bait shops opening up than the 5 & Done … but that’s just my opinion …
Personally, I have gone back and forth on this issue … but if I HAD to make a choice I will always error on the side of preserving the fish … if that means that it’s 5 & Done June 1st through September 30th, then so be it … At the MOST I can see supporting is making Lake Murray consistent with the new Rivers schedule which would mean June 15th to September 15th …
In my discussions with Ron Ahle, the fisheries biologist for Lake Murray, there is a concern for the lower than average numbers of small fish showing up in their gill net sampling for the Lake. It makes sense that a return to a 21” minimum in June will help return some of the smaller fish to the lake.
Are you saying that Ron Ahle specifically supports doing away with the month of June for lake Murray’s ‘5 & Done’ because if that is the case, then DNR’s recommendation on the matter would weigh far more heavily than any of ours …
As for the bait guys, we personally have never changed the frequency or amount of bait we have purchased as a result of the 5 & Done … I suspect that David’s lagging sales may have more to do with new bait shops opening up than the 5 & Done … but that’s just my opinion …
Personally, I have gone back and forth on this issue … but if I HAD to make a choice I will always error on the side of preserving the fish … if that means that it’s 5 & Done June 1st through September 30th, then so be it … At the MOST I can see supporting is making Lake Murray consistent with the new Rivers schedule which would mean June 15th to September 15th …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Rick, I believe the river proposal is only considering moving the start d
Yep, you are correct, they are only pushing it from June 1st to June 15th … end date stays September 30th … Apologies …
That said, it still does not change the position … at the MOST I would support a change on Murray only to be consistent with the rivers … beyond that I think EVERYONE can agree that the 5 & Done rule on Murray has helped the fishery immensely … As such, there is no need to change it in my opinion …
To be clear, Ron’s comments to me were that he is concerned about the lack of smaller fish showing up in their gill net sampling. He never stated a preference as to a specific timeframe for the “5 and Done” restrictions, but only that it should be evaluated with the concept in mind of preserving more of the smaller fish than may be occurring under the current regulations. DNR’s recommendations were clear in the original bill, July 1 through Sept. 30… Don’t you guys remember all of the town hall type meetings that took place prior to the passage of the regulation? Maybe ya’ll weren’t here or didn’t care back then, but I was and participated, and I know how many were upset when the restricted period was lengthened at the last minute by stakeholders other than DNR.
We can go back to a 21" minimum in June and you won’t be able to tell a difference in the fishery from what we have now, other than hopefully, a few more short fish being caught from time to time but a balance is necessary… its the smaller fish that will help us sustain and get through the big fish kill when it occurs because they can tolerate the warmer water better… It makes more sense to return as many of those fish as you can in June before a fishkill than in September after a kill has occurred.
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
I’m with Woody on this one. The original recommendation was July- September by the DNR experts. June was back-doored at the urging of a guide who no longer lives in the area and is no longer in the business.
I will obey the law no matter what. With regard to bait, I do buy way less, because I’m one-poling it when fishing alone so I’m not back at the dock in less than 30 minutes. I also will go out with just spoons to make things a little more challenging. Going to Clark’s Hill during LM 5 and done is also another option I exercise. I imagine there are others out there who approach things similarly. Thus, I think it could have a effect on bait sales. When June was 21 inches, I do not recall major problems releasing fish.
