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I keep wondering where all this "stripers are doomed" thinking is coming from. Yes, there may be less bass around then there was maybe a few years ago; more people fishing for them is a reason why...(headboats now even chase them...look at Montauk, Block, the Race). Does anybody actually go to the ASMFC site and read the wealth of scientific data on the species or read TITLE 16 - CONSERVATION CHAPTER 71A - ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS CONSERVATION ACT (1983). There are many triggers in the legislation to prevent what happened in the 70's to happen again. Threshholds have been created to prevent overharvesting by ALL SECTORS. During the 70's, none of this was available (I know-I participated in mtgs, forums, etc. to right the fishery). I see as many small fish today, as I did a few years ago (I am on the water just about everyday from April-October)...Narragansett Bay is loaded with mid-size fish when the pogies come full force in June; In May there is small fish all over the Bay feeding on bay anchovies.
As far as other people not seeing that many fish, look to your bait situation. Thats why places like Block Island (sand eels), Stellwagon (herring,whiting , mackeral), Eastern LI Sound (scup) have a lot of fish. Tuna guys are seeing them everywhere outside; a friend of mine was catching large bass while chunking for tuna at the Mudhole (Block I)...
Maybe its the winter-we all need to start fishing.....
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