I haven't been fishing long but have invested a lot of $$$ into gear,gas etcetera and it almost becomes a break even to keep some fish.It's always nice to invite the neighbors over for some eats or give some fresh filets to family or even hunting friends that reciprocate with game.Right now I'm down to maybe three vac bags of @ 2-3 pounds each.Hell I bought a foodsaver just to keep it nice so yeah,it's become a way of life.Why should I buy previously frozen tilapia filets when I can eat something I dream about catching all winter?Not to mention losing sleep as well as $3.00 a gallon for a 100 mile round trip.Plenty get sent back because I hope to striper fish with my kids when I get older and I don't feel I take more than I'm entitled to.
As for the second question;personally I'll let the #30's go and pose with and eat the #40's.They do not taste as good as the 30" fish but they still are good eats.
And lastly I've never belonged to a club but intend to join Newport and Narragansett and would do so with the hope of giving something back to the fishery.Not to mention adding my name to any piece of hardware imaginable
