I think with the comm pressure somewhat throttled as compared with the old days when it was out of control with people from all over the world taking everything they could...I suspect if the bait holds these fish will return in future years.
I am 48 and when i was a kid (12 or so) I recall catching 60# fish within sight of shore (Montauk) every summer. And Giants would also show up close to shore at times. We trolled "Jap feathers" back then, chromed headed jewled eyed things that worked every pass.
It is good to see all these small fish this year, if we let them grow to 500# plus we may just get the fishery back to what it was someday. I make it a point to have my kids (and guests) watch as the fish is released. And remind them how big this fish will grow to and how important it is let them go and abide by the rules wether you agree with them or not. Most people can't concieve of this fish growing to 1000+ lbs after an exhausing battle with a 25#er. They just can't imagine the power that a giant will have.
I would not complain they are leaving...you had a great run that lasted nearly a month. Sometimes these things last only a couple days. I have to say though that once the newspaper articles were out, the run-and-gunners showed and it was annoying . We had several good weeks before they arrived. You have to expect this.
That said I will go looking for them again shortly as I think I know where they are.
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