No Gaffs for Recreational Striped Bass Fishing
DEC prohibits the use or attempted use of gaffs when recreationally fishing for Atlantic striped bass in all state waters.
- A "gaff" means any implement or device used, after a fish has been caught by other means, to puncture, hook, or penetrate the fish during the landing, retrieval or release of the fish.
- "Gaff" also means the act of using a gaff.
This regulation intends to reduce release mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries as required by ASMFC Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass (PDF). The full text of the regulation can be found at DEC's website.