Thursday, May 17, 2007
Of bass limits and beards
Bill Cochran
Recent mail
BILL: You missed on your recent mailbag answer regarding striped bass season in the Chesapeake Bay. Fortunately for your readers. you erred on the legal side of things.
The bay trophy season opened on May 1 and closes on June 15 for one fish 32 inches or larger. The law requires mandatory reporting of these fish which can be done online at: mrc.state.va.us/forms/sbtrophy.shtm.
The bay spring season opens on May 16 and runs through June 15, and as you stated, it is for two fish 18 to 28 inches long.
Remember, if you happen to catch a trophy fish after May 16, it counts as one of your two-fish limit. Also remember that there is a 28- to 32-inch no-take slot.
Expect big changes in the fall season and limits. Because of the spectacular season that we had last fall with so many small-boat fishable days in late November and throughout December, we are looking at a substantial reduction this year. While the precise amount and options are not yet known, numbers like 40 percent are being discussed. My hope is that this reduction is a one-year deal and that next year we will yo-yo back to more normal limits and seasons.
TOM POWERS
Poquoson
BILL: You often mention the length of a turkey gobbler’s beard when you report spring gobbler success. What is the longest beard you’ve ever heard of?
C.R.
C.R.: According to National Wild Turkey Federation world records, the longest single beard for an Eastern subspecies turkey is 18.5 inches. It was a Virginia turkey killed by Robert Tremblay in 1998. The federation’s record-keeping efforts began in 1982.
BILL
