Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete F.
I think this is the rationale behind Maines size limits: 1 fish 20-26" or over 40"
Leaves the MILFs in the gene pool and only removes not yet productive(of which there are many) or the old survivors.
The question of if this affects size by eliminating the Genetically large fish from the gene pool would require a further study.
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But the problem with this system is that it drops the effective minimum size to 20" and the overall number of fish taken goes through the roof.
A website like this is frequented mostly by guys that can go out and catch keepers and large on a regular basis - its a slanted sample group. "10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish" Most of the guys on this board are in that 10%.
When you significantly drop size limits, that 90% of the general population that is struggling to figuere out how to catch a keeper is now bringing home fish. That's an aweful lot of anglers that are now killing little fish. Maine's numbers clearly reflect this.
I think there's something to that genetic component though. It makes sense that the biggest fish each year class make the next round of big fish.
btw - Must really be winter if this is popping up again.