head boats (Full Version)

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dannyboy -> head boats (7/2/2008 10:12:39 AM)

A lot of perch are being caught this year off the EdwardJohn and other charters/head boats. I was out last week and saw approx 40 anglers off the back of the EJ and they were bringing them up left and right. Lets estimate a full boat of 40 people with everyone catching their 30 limit of perch, thats 1200 fish! And the EJ goes out 2 times per day, even with 20 anglers getting their limit thats 600 fish! I love to see anglers getting their limit, kids getting into fishing, and people without boats getting on to the water to catch some fish, but overall, do you think our PA fishery can sustain head boats out on the water 2 times per day 6-7 days per week?
(this is not an "attack" on any of the head boats, just curious to see if our waters can produce these large numbers of fish year after year)

lemme know



elephanthead -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 10:18:30 AM)

don't think you're going to see perch as an endangered species anytime soon. nothing compared to the commercial fishing.........no worries mate...............



dannyboy -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 10:26:35 AM)

are the perch schools really that big? What kind of population #'s are we talking?



elephanthead -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 10:59:01 AM)

kazillions.......????????? maybe someone has a survey somewhere.....but there's a gang of em..



pghmarty -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 11:43:57 AM)

The lakewide total allowable catch (TAC) in 2007 was 11.389 million pounds.

http://www.glfc.org/lakecom/lec/YPTG_docs/annual_reports/YPTGexesum2008.pdf



dannyboy -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 11:55:22 AM)

wow, thats some pretty amazing data and huge numbers!
So i guess the head boats dont come close to even denting the perch population
great!
thanks



elephanthead -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 12:12:30 PM)

Thanks Marty - knew you'd come to the rescue.....Dave



pghmarty -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 12:19:46 PM)

If a head boat fishes 120 days a year and averages 200 pounds each day brought home that is only 24,000Lbs or .21%

And this is probably a high estimate



spoonchucker -> RE: head boats (7/2/2008 12:41:34 PM)

Take a look at your fish finder, when your over them. Unless you have  absolutely amazing electronics. what you see is a mass of fish, not individuals. This mass can be one fish thick, or 3-5 FEET thick. It extends over the entire area of the pack ( not just under each boat ), and beyond. Take 200 fish out, and they won't even notice anybody's missing.

Marty's right. A single commercial boat can take more fish in one day, than both headboats combined take all year. They offer opportunity to many who otherwise would not have it, and pose no threat to the population. Perch, and Walleye on the great lakes, are among the most closely monitored fishery populations in the world.



jon_e_si -> RE: head boats (7/4/2008 3:29:11 AM)

Going on a headboat is no guarantee of a limit. Went on E-J for the experience. Boat was packed - we caught fish - not limits - some were drum - white bass - white perch, etc. That's why it's "fishing" not "catching"!!!



bulldog1 -> RE: head boats (7/7/2008 5:13:16 PM)

Have to agree with spoon on this one. While fighting the monster waves on the 28th, I ran over a school that was showing to be about 10 feet thick and went on for almost a mile. Just wish it was a little flatter that day.



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