I can definitely see why a slot limit would bring a species back from the brink, as it would protect nearly all of the egg laying size fish. Is a slot limit the right thing for a species not on the brink, though? Who knows?

I'm in total agreement with you in regards to forage species, and I believe a huge piece of the puzzle is clean spawning grounds. This is a more proactive way to manage it, imo. I'm not sure that size limits alone are going to do anything to the fishery.

No more calls, thank you, we have a winner.

I know quoting oneself as a source is a slippery slope but in another thread I said this in response to Flap:

"The point is, if you want to save striped bass start with they water they live in. Water is important. After all, like WC Fields said, fish f**k in it. Let's try to see to it that they continue to do so".

Water quality is the 3rd side of the triangle.

Because at that size, you are at the end size for males, so you are still getting both not just females and at that size both M&F's have spawned since they were approx 14 and 24" respectivley. At an average of 3" per year that gives F the chance to spawn at least 4 to 5 times before the 36" range and since the M reproductive ability is good between age 1 and 12 (the best being age 3) they get a good shot at delivering.

Interesting.. Makes sense now.

I didn't realize how small the fish that can spawn are, either. I figured it was in the high 20's low 30's.