I am SOTS: MAKE STRIPED BASS A GAMEFISH!

[ProfessorM]

I am pretty dedicate to a certain area in the month of May and early June. I live for this period of time each year fishing at least 3 day a week. I fish from a tin boat so I get to access and chase these fish around, not being stuck on land. I had no problem finding the fish this year and the pattern was the same as in many years past. It was quite impressive what I saw, size and quantity, all month and plenty of smaller fish too. The problem this year was getting the fish to eat. To see wave after wave of large fish move past you on the tide and not get a hook up was very disappointing. Thinking the next time out they will be hungry and eat but it just never materialized. No interest. What I threw the last several years, plugs that several fish at a time would fight over, would not trigger a response this year. They followed to the boat time after time but when they noticed me or the anchor rope they just wandered off. I would get a few to bite and I think it was more I was aggravating them, but compared to the last several years the hook up rate was way, way off. Plenty of quality fish but not much catching. I was not alone in this result. Heard the same thing over and over from some very accomplished fisherman. They were there in numbers, but just not interested. Still really don't understand why. That is the mystery of fishing. Eventually everyone gave up and the place is barren of boats now, very unusual this time of year, which actually is a good thing. Hopefully these newer guys, because of some loose lips, will go back to where they usually fish thinking all the raves were overrated, at least that is what I pray for.
I recently read Striper Wars while on vacation, truly a must read for any striped bass fisherman, and it really made me think about how I fish and what we are doing to my favorite hobby. I am thinking real hard about renewing my comm. license any more. Still up in the air. Deep down I would really luv to see all keeping of bass be done with and the taking of their food be a thing of the past too.