I will throw my $0.02 in, even though no one asked.....
Most people I have met through here and through MSBA are true sportsman, who take pride in being sportsman. That said, I then believe that most people will obey the laws.
True sportsman do not break the law in search of their quarry. This is a very slipperly slope. Eels are very likely the best bait when going after cows. But who can deny the effectiveness of herring in the spring - or when using macks when the are around. And I hazzard to guess most people here do not violate the herring run rules. Same would hold true with Macks.
I would certainly miss eels, but I wouldn't violate laws to catch stripers. I guess catching fish doesn't mean enough to me to violate laws. Catching fish is also less important than my pride, and my pride in being a sportsman.
-IWK