[Mike P]

I'll take quality over quantity anytime. In fact, while I generally believe in the axiom that you don't leave fish to look for bigger fish, I have left a good schoolie/weakfish bite to take a shot at the possibility of a pick of quality fish in a different location. I'm an inlet fisherman when I'm on LI. I generally don't fish the ocean until the fall run. I have a shallow-water situation with tons of small spearing bait close to home--this is usually schoolie/weakie/small blue/fluke heaven. There have been nights when I've had the Grand Slam of all 4 species there. But quality bass are few and far between here in July and August. A little farther out on the Island, I have a deeper inlet similar to the Canal--deeper water, flanked by a rock jetty and much faster current. The rocks hold a variety of critters that hold some decent bass even during the dog days. If time permits, what I'll usually do is leave the schoolie bite close to home and head east for the chance at bigger fish--even if it's only one. I get more of a thrill out of landing--or even hooking--one bass that I have to horse to keep from wrapping me around rocks and that can actually peel off 30 yards of drag at a clip.

Let's face it, small bass aren't the greatest fighters in the ocean. 3 pound blues give you a better fight than the average 22" bass, and weaks are better fighters pound for pound than either. Plus, even as good a fisherman as you may be and as much TLC with which you release 'em, you have to hurt at least one or two out of 50 bad enough so they're not going to make it.