[Bates]

I fully understand the desire to get the size limit down so those 17.9in fish you released last year will go in the box and any keeper is better than none. But, if history is correct, about a month into the season we will hear, why do I have to throw back 17 3/8ths inch fish, we need a lower limit. Do you really think there are that many 17.5-18in fish out there that they will carry the party boat fleet through the season? If the fleet, party and private, takes 15 to 150 fish each trip the resource is going to be depleated pretty quickly.