That is great to see!
Brings back memories. When I was a boy about 14 or so they came back strong in the GSB (LI,NY). You could see them when the spawn, they swim in large schools in fairly shallow water and they like the eel grass flats. We use to sight cast to them with fake shrimp or small swimmers. Me and my younger bother would "play" "American Sportsman", He would be Kurt Goudy and I would be Bing Crosby....casting to the (Bing singing) Blu-Blu-Blu sky.
Back then they let the netters go in and take them like bunker. I once saw a netter fill his boat to the gunnels and drop the price to 0.15/lb.
A lot of fun to catch and they do taste good. Very mild fish. We use to have them for breakfast with eggs. I hope they make it up my way. I have not caught one since the early-mid 80's.