running the dog this morning.....

[numbskull]

That is probably because you have been fishing for more than a few decades.

[Striper_Haven_03]

Originally Posted by numbskull

That is probably because you have been fishing for more than a few decades.

Numb,

Wish I had that much knowledge but I dont..been fishing since I was a kid for mostly large blue fish (late 80s early 90s) because thats all there was here in Plymouth.....huge bluefish, and a tog or five thrown in there when fishing the rocks. Didn't really consider that surf-casting....more of me just being a kid that grew up next to the ocean. I got into serious surf-casting 12 years ago and know little about the spots I fish, tough to figure mature nature. But there is one thing thats for sure. I check these spots often,sometimes theres fish there,sometimes not.

[numbskull]

I'm not criticizing you, S_H. It is just that you and many others seem to have come to striper fishing at a good time, a time when 20 lb fish may seem average, or even small. In the early 80's something similar happened, and even 30lb fish seemed average. But over a longer time, perspective changes. For many years in a row a few 20+lb fish from shore would make your season. Once you have fished through that, every 20lb fish you take seems worth appreciating. At least that is the way I see it.

[Sea Dangles]

perspective

[Striper_Haven_03]

I gotcha bro. Which is why I let 99 percent of the fish I catch go. Might not make a bit of difference in the end but I feel as though Im doing my part by letting these fish swim away. If I keep anything its to give my dad his monthly fillet. I realize as a kid I fished the very tail end of a very,very poor striper decade and now in 2010 there are 30s-40s -50s caught on a regular basis in some locations, I do realize we are in for some real trouble in the future regarding the atlantic striped bass fishery. While it might be easy to take for granted the great fishing today I try not to do that. To quote Mark Twain "History doesn't repeat itself but it sure does rhyme". I hope not but it looks like its coming.

[michaels]

I must agree with Striper Haven 3.. I too, fished when there were very few fish around.. The moratorium, was the worst.. You go for some time before you would even get a sniff.. I"ve was lucky enough to get my wallhanger, some years ago. I have not kept a fish since.. I also worry about the future of the species.. I would still like to see the minimum go back to 36"..