That certainly is logical, although the one credible report we got was that fishing has been hard for a while. That on it's own, combined with our data point would suggest perhaps a change in the trend.
But there are a lot of variables at play here. How many have been fishing from shore compared to years past and how many have been talking? How many of those have been lying? How have storm patterns or cycles in bait influenced migration? If Sandy didn't strike how many more surfcasters from NY/NJ would have been working the water as well?
I don't think any credible baseline other than anecdotes exists to offer a firm opinion.
That being said, if you head out now and have a great trip does it invalidate everything? Perhaps it does for you
-spence