I can't say that these days aren't as good as the good old days.
In the late 70's I started surf fishing in NJ. Looking for that elusive striped bass.I caught a few bluefish but mostly we caught whiting and ling off the Casino Pier. Never caught a striper...never saw one.
I was in the Navy for most of the 80s. Got out in Sept of 90. Went to Ortley beach with my brother...first cast got a double header of stripers (plug & teaser). Second cast, another bass. Caught a dozen in an hour.
Striper fishing has remained great ever since( due entirely to the dreaded "Regulations"). Bluefish have years where they stay inshore and years when they stay 40 miles out, its always been that way.
Whiting are gone entirely. I do miss that.
Used to go fluking on the Sea King from Belmar in the 90s. Had good days and bad. Of course, the size limit was 13" or 14". I don't think I caught a fish over 3 pounds in all those years. 18" fish used to win pools...
Got a boat in 99. I'd have to say that the first few years were the best fluking because the increasing size limits (to 16") meant a lot of nice fish were around. Started catching 4 & 5 pounders each season. That said, there have ALWAYS been days when the Skunkboat got skunked.
They have since gone overboard with the 18" limit and it just seems like a waste of time sometimes....but fish are there. My brother and I drifted Manasquan River for an hour in the evening last week had dozen fluke, 11 shorts, 4 between 17" and 17.5", and one keeper 18.5".
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