When I started fishing 40 years ago, it was pretty fun. Not to many crowds, bait was free, there was plenty of fish, big ones

Now I need a permit for every herring run (only to get 6-10 fish a day), all the old spots are crowded as like never before, pogies are brought in from NJ, cost $1.00-$1.50 each
and I can't find anywhere to snatch them from shore anymore.

Sea worms are $5.00 a dozen for small ones

I still fish, because I love it. I don't think I'll ever stop but,
Fishing just isn't the same.

I hear ya :smash: I havent been fishing as long as you, but I've noticed many changes.
Bait is expensive so why not throw plugs??? keeps your arms in shape:musc: :musc: :laughs:

That's called progress.Nothing is ever the same.Think about it.

world weary

I agree. It is really hard to get "good" bait now. You know the kind of bait I am talking about...Not this stuff that has so much freezer burn you can't identify it. Fresh bunker is really hard to get.
The problem is most of the big bait is gone from inshore waters. I just don't see schools of big bunker, shad, herring or mullet anymore. Sometimes I see shad but still not in huge masses. I remember walking along P-town beachs and seeing school after school of bunker.. catching fresh bait involved casting a weighted treble hook.
I suggest you move to eels (or catch scup) we have not wiped them out yet. :rolleyes:

Sucks, don't it. Alot of things change. One thing that never changes, fishermen are full of alot of BS.

So, at least there is some continuity.