Paul Diodati, Director

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

251 Causeway Street, Suite 400

Boston, MA 02114

Dear Mr. Diodati:

The practice of ‘yo-yo’ jigging for large striped bass came to the forefront during the recent Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby. Most likely you are aware that the practice involves the insertion of one or more lead, or lead like weights into a large menhaden. A hard steel rod, wire or wooden skewer is added for stability and a "hog ring" is used to close the mouth of the bait. Commercial striped bass anglers utilizing this method usually rig many baits in advance of their time on the water. The bait is fished by affixing the entire rig to the anglers line and lowered to the bottom and jigged or ‘yo-yo’d’ in a manner that causes it to act like an injured bait fish. It is an extremely effective method for catching larger striped bass but many times during a fight the rigged menhaden will fall off only to be ingested by other fish in the school. Often, a very large fish will break free from the angler. In both instances the entire rig including the lead weights and skewer, is trapped in the stomach or soft tissue of the striper creating a blockage and/or health hazard to the fish as well as the consuming angler, and in commercially caught striped bass, the fish consuming public. (The Derby fish in question had more than one and a half pounds of lead in its digestive system.) Also, as most, if not all of these fish are fecund females, damage to the brood stock contributes to an overall increase in total mortality rates.

As an organization, the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association condemns the practice of ‘yo-yo’ing’ believing it to be harmful to the resource, the environment, and the consumer of the fish. We request that the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries take immediate action to permanently ban the use of the technique or any derivative there-of, by both commercial and recreational anglers.

The Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association was founded in 1989 and consists of more than two hundred individuals and families. The stated purpose of the organization is: "to encourage the sport of surfcasting and interest in sport fishing; to gather for entertainment and good fellowship; to promote and uphold sound conservation practices and laws, and to see that these laws are properly enforced and carried out by members; to further good sportsmanship; and to see and protect public access to fishing areas on Martha’s Vineyard".

Respectfully,