You bring up an interesting point. As I read these articles I am so tempted to grab the rod and reel and head for the cape but I am held back by some guilt. We all know the additional stress WILL probably kill more of these fish than their summer partners. The fisheries folks don't mind because they say these fish don't belong here this time of year, but speaking to old timers (including relatives that fished the cape 50-60 years ago) stripers have been in the estuaries for decades during the winter. These same stripers may end up breeding in these waters as they get older. So how than can we determine winter fishing does not harm these fish? Also, with regards to the fisheries folks claiming there are no YOY stripers, I think that is baloney. I fish with guys that have been fishing the canal for 20-30 years, (John Silva-- you met Dick and I think Tony?) all of them and I agree that there are some tiny, tiny stripers, possibly as small as just a few inches milling around these w
aters during the summer.
I guess what I am trying to say is:
1. We probably kill more fish in the winter (skin diseases are a good sign of stress)
2. Some of these fish are or will breed in these waters
3. The fisheries people are out to lunch on this one issue--there is just not enough research available (BTY, Woods Hole folks are commissioning a study fall 98)
4. I think the entire idea of stripers winter habits and winter habits of other fish are still a mystery to the scientists and fisherman alike
I will be interested to hear others on this issue that fish more often in the winter than I do. Please understand I am neither for or against winter fishing, just curious as to the harm it might do.
thanks