What do you think about all the small bass showing up?

[Blackfish Doug]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal Cathy Sea Charters

We have been invaded by small stripers!The talk early in the year was "Wonder were all the small schoolies are''?Seems like they don't show up as much on the clam beds like they did a few years ago.It is a great sign to see them in mass quantity as the future looks good.It is a changing fishery with multiple year class stripers at different times of the year.I would much rather eat a 28" bass then a fat 43" spawner.In fact I wish we had the slot fish and could keep one 26" for dinner.No matter what with the hughe mass of small stripers in our waters is a good thing.All the fish we have been jigging are released with out being harmed.Great sport and and an occasional keeper for dinner!Looks good for my grandchildren.

I remember over 50 years ago talking to Carl Forsberg Sr on the Viking about this. We were talking about all the huge Cod we were getting that day & this is what he told me. He told me son the Codfish are in big trouble I asked him why? he told did you notice there are no small fish. I said yes he told me the future stocks are in trouble & was he ever right. Sal I know you have a few more years then me on the waters but your quote brought me back to those times. The future does look bright for the Stripers but the big question does remain is the government going to let our children fish for them? That is what worries me more then what the stocks are. Look at whats happening in California now it's very scary. They are looking to take our rights away to fish altogether & I hope it does not happen.