The stripers have changed

[SurfCaster413]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

That's Interesting, ...I actually thought most of the canal fish I saw caught earlier this year were pretty healthy looking, ie: length vs. girth, just a visual observation of course, as I didn't weigh anyone else's fish. I know it's been discussed on here before, as far as what an average length on a healthy fish should translate into poundage. ....although it's FAR from an accurate science. I was thinking due to the heavy concentration of multiple baits in the canal this year, for the duration that they were there...most fish were pleasantly plump??... Maybe I was just in the right place at the right time ,,, and that's not an attack, just thinking aloud.

I have to agree with bloocrab the canal fish this year where extremely healthy and well porportioned

[ecduzitgood]

So far this year I haven't gotten anything over 32" (32ish because I released it) and the smaller fish looked fine, it's the larger fish that I feel are leaner than in the past. The larger fish 36" and above that I have caught in the last few years all seemed to be racers/lean as compared to lets say 10+ years ago.

[FishermanTim]

The size/weight of the fish this year, as in past years, may have a direct connection to whether the net draggers had removed most of the pogies from the region in question.
If the bait is removed, the fish will be leaner and will have to work harder to food. It doesn't mean that they won't bulk up on mack, squid, sand eels or juvenile herring in the meantime but that they won't have food as readily available as when the pogie pods are in.