It's getting scary how few fish are out there.

[TheSpecialist]

I think Slipnot is right about the charter guys keeping alot of fish. I took my wife and brother in law out on a charter, along with my parents. My wife and brother in law love fish, just about any kind too. My father and I are picky fish eaters, cod , haddock, and trout mostly. My mother does'nt like fish. My wife and brother in law wanted to keep 5 keepers. My parents did'nt want any fish and neither did I. The only time I would keep one is if it tops my largest to date. I have no problem with this because my wife and I will eat it. Anyway I had to explain to them that although the fish would'nt goto waste, we should keep only one or two to do our part to conserve the resource. I suspect this happens alot on charters, not only for stripers but also other species. In Miami the Capt. did'nt ask us if we wanted to keep any. He just assumed we did, and gaffed a couple of kings. I think the charter capt. should take some responsibility to explain conservation on the way to the fishing area. That way maybe some people can make an informed descision , and may want to release all fish caught.