Quote:
Originally Posted by JLH
The problem with 2@33" is that is does nothing to slow down the killing of all of the big fish that takes place every summer around Block and off of Montauk. The average fish they catch is 20+ pounds and when the fishing is good the boats are often running multiple trips a day and limiting out each trip. On an average day there are easily 50+ boats out there doing this. That's not sustainable and going to 2@33" does nothing to slow it down.
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100% on target. Same for Jersey, NC, VA. Those boats are on schools of primarily big fish and the last 15 years of them pounding those breeders has certainly done it's part getting us where we are. That doesn't mean bass are extinct or can't be caught anywhere, but by asmfc's best guesses there are maybe 50% as many fish as at the peak.
I think the attached graph indicates a problem that I suspected might exist. As fish ucket pointed out, there are plenty of guys finding a fish or two to kill. 19 million for recs according to his numbers. Regardless, the decline in releases in the Mass fishery are puke bucket worthy and that data is 2 years dated. Appears that gone are the days of a dozen fish released for each fish kept. Though maybe he is right and it is just me.
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