Fishing reports

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by SAUERKRAUT

I have had a spy posted up on the Canal for the past 10+ days. My brother surf rat from NJ. He has posted only micros and dinks so far. Amazing stretch of non fishing, IMO.

We did a banzai trip to Cutty 4 nights ago. We fished a great tide and conditions. Two rods; 3.5 hours. Never hooked up anything beyond an occasional 15-20" micro bass. Again, an amazing stretch of non fishing IMO. I have been other places also... just awful. Thank you again to the commercial fishing industry.

I DO NOT want to ruin a great thread!!! Bu there is PLENTY of blame to spread around... I'm not in love with comm bass fishing. But I see plenty rec's killing too... both within and outside of the reg's.

[numbskull]

The problem is that there is a strong commercial bias to management of the resource. And by commercial I include the charter boat fishery. Both groups, commercial and charter industry, push for harvest at maximum sustainable yield. This ensures the quality of the fishery is way less than it would be otherwise (just witness the rapid final depletion of the remaining large fish now that sustainability is not a concern following several decent year classes).

It is absolutely true that non-charter recreational fishermen could and likely would abuse the resource if they were able. Just witnessing the carnage at the canal this year proves that. HOWEVER, the canal this year is an exception as most recreational fishermen lack the expertise, desire (sans a selling option) to put a serious dent in the fishery if monetary gain was not a motivating factor.