2018 YOY survey

[bobber]

I'm 53 years old- at an age where I realize my best days of striper fishing are behind me. I'm torn between saying "f&ck it" and just letting things continue to get worse, or jumping into the fight to try and make things better for the future.
it seems there's always some group trying to kill more fish for personal gain.... its a relentless attack on a public resource and it pisses me off.

[piemma]

Just turned 71 and have chased the Striped ones for over 50 years. I gave it up and haven't wet a line this year. I just cannot fish for Bass anymore. I don't fault anyone for doing it but my mind says no. I have developed other interests (golf) that keep me satisfied.

Do I miss the thrill of a big fish on my line...yup. I use to get pumped just hunting for that one big fish all night in the surf. Bryan Oakley and I fish over 100 nights a year in the surf from Tiverton to Watch Hill, always in the dark. We never killed all we caught and most night put most fish back. We had 100 fish nights and more "skunks" than I care to remember but I feel that stocks are such that I can't morally condone hooking and injuring such a valuable resource. I would go back if Stripers gained Game Fish Status, which I have written about ad nauseum, but I don't think I'll see it in my lifetime.