MikeTLive...congrats on your keep. I've seen a chart that estimates striper age based upon length (the lenght/girth formula is for weight). I can't seem to find the chart at the moment...but, I believe a 28-incher would be about 4 years old (?).
Though I am not (yes not!!) a big proponent of "catch and release"...it must be a great feeling to release your first keeper. That is a difficult and very rewarding thing to do. Feel good about that and proud of bringing in that nice fish.
