I fish with 2 guys here in CT that are as good as just about anyone. They both have been on the water for a couple of decades. Both fish pretty much here in CT with an occasional trip to RI or Cape. One of the guys in particular kicks my arsh regularly. However, the pb of both is around 43 or 44". I think its gotta be mostly because they fish 98% of the time from shore here in western ct. One exclusively uses plugs. Between the 6 or 7 guys I fish with regularly that are what I would consider very good, I know of 5 fish total over 40" from shore locally this past year. One guy whacked a 47" and another dropped one at his feet and it slid back in the water so they didn't get to measure it. According to the 3 guys who saw it it was in the upper 40" range. I had 1 40" fish in Ct this year from shore in maybe 75 trips or so. In 4 trips to the canal I had 3 nights with fish over 40". I think location has alot to do with it. When I lived in mass and fished the canal regularly, the bigger fish were much more common (Not saying 50's...). Location does matter when all else that has been said is equal. I haven't caught em cause I don't have a boat
