here is a E-mail I recieved from Paul Haertel, Delegate Berkeley Striper Club.

Below is a letter I sent to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council which reflects the Berkeley Striper Club's position on pending changes to our fluke regulations.
Fluke regulations are expected to be set at the Council meeting on 3/1.

I am writing to you on behalf of the Berkeley Striper Club, which is based in Seaside Park and has approximately 175 members.
We know that since our State’s fluke quota will be cut by 35-40%, new regulations will have to be implemented. .
As such the Berkeley Striper Club would like to urge the marine council to accomplish this by raising the size limit and decreasing the bag limit rather than reducing the length of the season. .
While we agree with most others that the most important part of the fluke season is July and August, it is imperative that we be able to fish for fluke at least through September and preferably into October.

Traditionally, August and September are the months when we have the opportunity to catch a real doormat. .
Being able to fish for fluke in September is crucial because in addition to having a legitimate chance of catching a doormat, there is little else to fish for in our inshore waters during that time of the year. .
The striper runs in recent falls have been relatively poor and they seem to migrate to New Jersey later and later each fall. .
Even during the peak of the mullet run in September, there have only been isolated reports of good striper catches. .
Fishing for weakfish during the late summer and early fall has been really inconsistent and the weakfish that are available are much smaller than the ones we are able to catch in the spring..
While sea bass fishing during September and October has been good, it is hard to fish for them and not catch fluke at the same time. .
It will be a shame if all of them have to be released. .
There are some blackfish around during September but with a limit of only one a day, they are not worth targeting.

While bluefish are usually abundant then, most fishermen who prefer fishing for other species will not allow themselves to be relegated to fishing for bluefish. .
Further, it is our belief that surfcasters are often treated like second-class citizens when it comes to fisheries regulations. .
The only real chance surfcasters have of catching legal sized fluke is during the fall run when mullet and other forage species are migrating along the beach..
In fact, fluke are included in the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament that is held in October, so it is important to be able to fish for them at that time of the year..
The bottom line is that if we are not allowed to fish for fluke into October, many of the businesses that depend on our business are going to suffer. .
Fishermen will either stop fishing or travel to other states where they can fish for the species they desire. .
Our tackle stores, marinas as well as the charter and party boat businesses will really be hit hard..

By contrast, in recent years our spring striper runs have been phenomenal and have lasted into July..
Huge weakfish including some over 15 lbs. have been caught well into June. .
Sea bass fishing has been stellar in the spring as well. .
One can even keep four blackfish until the end of May although we are aware that blackfish regulations may change as well. .
These species can hold our attention until we are able to begin fluke fishing in July. .
All this having been said, we are aware that the situation is somewhat different in the extreme southern part of New Jersey and those fishing there might prefer an earlier season. .
There are others who like to fish in for fluke in the spring as well. .
We also know there are some important fluke tournaments, such as the Jersey Coast Angler’s Association, that are traditionally held in June..
It is mismanagement by NMFS that put us in this situation and now we are left fighting over the crumbs they left us. .
We realize that the position you have been put in is difficult and you will not be able to please everyone, However, we are hopeful that you will do your best to fairly distribute the small quota of fluke that we now have..
Towards that end, we hope that you will consider the proposals we are submitting. .
We respectfully request that they be given to the biologists assigned to determine the various options we will have while ensuring we stay within our quota..
We are confidant that our proposals can be tweaked a little so they fit into the tables being developed. .
We strongly believe that once the public is given various options, the majority will likely favor one of the proposals we are suggesting.

While we all awaited drastic cuts we feared would have to take place and as I was penning this letter, I was just informed that by merely raising the size limit to 17 ˝”, we can have a season at least as long as last year’s, while maintaining the 8 fluke bag limit to boot. .
If this is true, it is the option that our club overwhelmingly supports..
If this is not true, or if there are a lot of people who prefer a smaller size limit perhaps the season could be extended by having a larger size limit possibly 18” during the spring and fall and 17” for July and August. .
The bag limit could also be reduced during the spring and fall if necessary..
Below are two proposals, which may or may not need to be altered somewhat to keep us within the quota. .
We believe that first proposal would be the most widely accepted but our second option might be a viable alternative..
Again I would like to emphasize that our club supports whatever means are necessary to have a lengthy season.,However, if the season does need to be shortened, we much prefer the season begin later so we continue to fish for fluke into the fall.

1.) May 12th (or later) - October 15th, 8 fluke at 17 ˝” .
2.) May 12th (or later) – June 30 and Sept. 1st – October 15th, 8 or less fluke at 18”, .
July 1st – August 31st 8 fluke at 16 1/2'” or 17” .
Sincerely,.
Paul Haertel, Delegate.
Berkeley Striper Club