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I have no problem with a stimulating debate and while I didn't catch a single keeper this year; doesn't mean I wouldn't bleed it and eat it. I'd prefer to eat tog or black sea bass, but have no problem with anyone taking their legal limit or posting pictures of fish coming home for the table. I also have no issue with charters, promoting trips that will allow clients to bring a legal limit home, although I would applaud those that promote catch and release.
I think we have a pretty diverse crowd in here, from NH to the South Shore of RI, with boaters, surfcasters and yakers. So when I suggest that the majority on this board seem to agree that for a number of years the bass fishing is really declining, it seems to be coming from a large sampling of fishing styles, states and age groups. Certainly there are exceptions, buckman and the freak may be fishing waters that have yet to see the decline, or possibly as piemma suggests, those waters may be some of the last strongholds of summering stripers.
We all collectively control our own fate, but when I see channel 5 highlighting the fates of the fishing community with new regulations, I question whether if we the recreational fisherman would ever be given that same voice. Seems the commercial voice gets the news spots, I have yet to see anyone questioning on TV why we continue to over fish our waters and subsidize those that can't make it a viable living.
Imagine the charter business everyone would have if we made that fish a game fish and really regulated those that would deplete the bunker or other baitfish populations they rely on. Not everyone can or wants to own a boat; there would be serious money spent to get in on that action. I know I'd love to experience it again some day, been far too long since I've been in on a big fish blitz.
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