The Stripers Forever Release A Breeder Club encourages anglers to practice catch-and-release for striped bass of breeding age and size. To become a member, you need to catch and release a striped bass of at least 36″ (about a 20-pound fish) and provide a photo or a witness.
While club membership admittedly walks the line of narcissism, I am pleased to say I’m now a two-time member. But, let’s give credit where credit is due: this year I was simply in the right place at the right time. Still, I’ll take it. There is precious little in fishing that matches the brutish power of a twenty-pound ocean-going bass in four feet of water.
I’ve been certified.
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Today’s word is: “shoulders.” Can you say “shoulders?” Sure. I knew you could. This isn’t the winning fish, but it’s still a good one.
Stripers Forever is a non-profit, internet-based conservation organization that advocates for the conservation and responsible stewardship of wild striped bass along the Atlantic Coast. They seek game fish status for wild striped bass on the Atlantic Coast. You can find out more about Stripers Forever and the Release A Breeder Club here.
Wow. What a wonderful looking fish you caught and released. I have never landed on that large on a fly. This gives a person a target for which to shoot and the striper . That’s not bad. Nice to know the information about where to Join the Release a Breeder Club if/when a person becomes qualified.
Oh yes, I should have noted that my chances of joining the Release a Breeder Club will soon be greatly improved with the new soft hackle striper flies that I will soon receive from the very gifted fly creator, Steve Culton.
I caught both the bass pictured and the breeder-sized one on one of the flies you’re getting (the Big Eelie). Good luck!