http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125064074756441757.html

I’m not surprised. It never fails when ever a natural resource or exploit it.

I have found that poachers fall in to two categories. The first being those who poach to feed their friends and family and the second category are those who poach to feed their wallet. IMO the limit laws are generous and provide more than enough for angler to feed family members. Which is why I believe that most if not all poachers are driven by greed.

For the past several years the local Asian markets around SO CAL have been selling live largemouth bass. They appear to be farm raised as they are all about 12”. They sell for $10 per lb at most markets that carry them. I have seen them selling for as low as $8 per lb and as high as $11. I thought it was illegal to sell LMB however their popularity as a food fish seems to have grown in recent years as result so has their availability at local markets.

I’ve also noticed a dramatic increase in the number of people targeting Bass the over the past couple years. However many of these anglers who are new to bass fishing are not what you would consider your typical recreational bass angler. These guys are meat hunters and they play for keeps. I’m hoping it’s a just a trend that will fade away but I continue to see an increase in the number of bass being kept. With the market value being so high it makes me wonder if some of these guys are selling the bass they keep.
JerryG

I used to watch that guy on Lake Washington throw the hooks to dredge up his pots in the mornings. Now I'm too lazy to get up that early most days but he was accurate - knew exactly where to throw it!