[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

I have a personal attachment to the rod and reel commercial surf fisherman aspect of the game due to its historical significance, as well as it being what I first learned. To gain a perspective on what it really was you had to be there and participate, thus it would become part of your formative core as a surf fisherman. It’s a dead vocation now for a lot of reasons, and has been since the early 80’s, but still remains part of my core, because it’s what I first learned. I never got rich off it, but rather the $$ I did earn made it possible to spend more time on the water, which was really the goal.
With all the historical stuff being discussed lately, let’s hear your thoughts on what you would do if given yesterday’s set of circumstances to operate under today. Be honest and consider your personal implications before you answer. Use the following criteria to formulate your answer:

Given:

1. 16” size limit.
2. Adjusted for inflation and cost of living, a ten pound fish would fetch you $ 50, perhaps more.
3. A decent night of schoolie fishing could fetch you $400-$500 in today’s dollars. A good week you might earn a few thousand dollars, maybe more.
4. No possession limits, keep all you wanted.
5. No license required
6. Stock levels of fish not an issue.
7. Poor economy.

What would you do?

To be perfectly honest, I'd sell them. My family comes before the fish and the sensibilities of C&R advocates.