Shouldnt there be...

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Moses

In years past (not last year), I would typically start fishing a couple rivers between Mattapoisett and Wareham in mid-late April. According to my records, I would always be into schoolies, 12-18" by third week in April. BY fourth week a little bigger to 24". Then I'd switch over to canal fishing by Mother's Day with the first keeper usually coming 3rd week of May.

Last year I decided to work Buzzards Bay area hard in the boat. I launched april 13th and checked every bay and estuary on both sides for many many hours. Nothing with no signs of life. Went a couple times the last week in April and the rivers/estuaries were yielding small schoolies pretty consistently.

First weekend in May, lots of bait, stripers and birds so action was more noticeable. Even caught a couple small keepers in the 28-30" range. I took friday 5/16 off and fished friday - sunday extensively and Buzzards Bay erupted. Tons of bait, stripers, birds and plenty of keepers.

I think were in the same pattern and expect things to start opening up this weekend thru next weekend. Soon guys......

Finally!!! Some sanity!!!!

[Mike P]

There was an excellent spawning year in 2001, and very good spawning years in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The 2001 fish are just reaching spawning age now, and the later classes are still too small to legally harvest everywhere outside of the bay areas of Maryland.

Where'd they all go, if they're gone?

And from all reports the Hudson has been churning out record spawns for almost 20 years, since they cleaned it up and eliminated haul seining in NY.

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Where'd they all go, if they're gone?

Hmmm....I dunno, Mike - fish and chips, maybe...

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by piemma

Finally!!! Some sanity!!!!

Paul, respecfully, I think you're missing the point. You're talking about "decent" fish or the fish that arrive in mid-May or the almost keepers Moses is referring to. My observation along with Clammer and JW is - Where are the dinks? Those are the future of this fishery and are usually around in massive numbers by now. My own observations seem to line up with what some of the old timers are saying(no offense). I'm not saying the sky is falling, maybe its no big deal. But I'd like to hear that someone somewhere is seeing acres of schoolies.

[bart]

I think this first week of the month will give up 40+ fish days. just need SW winds and some sun, which we've been getting a lot of lately....

[spence]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Paul, respecfully, I think you're missing the point. You're talking about "decent" fish or the fish that arrive in mid-May or the almost keepers Moses is referring to. My observation along with Clammer and JW is - Where are the dinks? Those are the future of this fishery and are usually around in massive numbers by now. My own observations seem to line up with what some of the old timers are saying(no offense). I'm not saying the sky is falling, maybe its no big deal. But I'd like to hear that someone somewhere is seeing acres of schoolies.

Considering I'm not fishing right now at this moment, that's a good indication that the East Bay is loaded with dinks.

-spence

[piemma]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Paul, respecfully, I think you're missing the point. You're talking about "decent" fish or the fish that arrive in mid-May or the almost keepers Moses is referring to. My observation along with Clammer and JW is - Where are the dinks? Those are the future of this fishery and are usually around in massive numbers by now. My own observations seem to line up with what some of the old timers are saying(no offense). I'm not saying the sky is falling, maybe its no big deal. But I'd like to hear that someone somewhere is seeing acres of schoolies.

Ok Jim. I will sit on the side and keep quiet. I just think that I have been through this before and in 2 weeks it's fine with schoolies all over. I really think the weather has had a lot to do with the lack of small fish. NE winds keep the fish out and the cold water in. I am sure there has beeen some attrition due to slaughter in Maryland, NC, etc. But has Mike P pointed out, our fish, by and large, come from the Hudson. Where did they go? They certainly weren't killed in Maryland because they don't go south.

Let's just wait and see what is happening on 5/15.