Do you think more people are fishing ?

[Skip]

Like to hear if you think more or less people are fishing in the bay.
I'm not talking early season but after April opening day.

DNR claims license sales have not really gone up or down a lot over the past 5 years.

It might just be me - where / when I fish but IMHO - there seems to be many more boats fishing - at least mid April to mid May.
Even on rough/rainy days - there are boats out fishing.
I know the MSSA tournament numbers are up.

Just curious what others see / think.
If you reply - please give a rough area - like upper / mid / lower bay.

[B-Faithful]

I think the numbers for the mssa spring tournament have remained about the same. The fall tournament has really grown in participation however.

I think there are about the same number of boats as usual. Weather can dictate how many boats are on the water a given day. Just my observations.

[crabby and son]

I think that there are more boats on the water as there are more affordable boats being made. The recession might keep some of the boat traffic down a bit. I fish the Bay bridge to Bloody point and crab the South and West rivers..........Gary

[drichitt]

I think the decision by lots of TFers not to post PSCR fishing reports, and many that are posting are holding back, will have a big affect on the first week of Trophy Season. Guess that's what EO wanted Those reports from last spring (March and early April) got everybody all pumped and excited to have their rigs ready to go on opening day.

[Blakesdad]

With the popularity of such sites as Tidalfish and THT and our constant visitation of these sites, I think it JUST APPEARS, there are more fishermen. Twelve years ago, we didn't have access to the Internet, thus area fishermen couldn't communicate to each other, the way we can today.

I fish where ever the bite is.. Upper, Mid and Lower Bay.

[onefishnfool]

To me it has seemed less crowded, upper/mid bay, after the first few weeks of the season, but gas prices were keeping a lot of people off the water. I buy a boat license so most of the people that fish with me, especially the out of staters, don't buy a license.

[Steve F]

This pass Saturday I figured there would be a lot of boats on the Patapsco with the weather being great, but I have to say I only seen about 5 boats fishing. Just wait until opening day then let’s see how many boats are on the water, it will be like a Friday night on 695 beltway….

[Wild Bill]

I think there are fewer boats this year. Less internet reports mean fewer boats. I am absolutely convinced of that and have not eliminated reports but choose the areas that I post about. If it is an local area that has the potential to get crowded, there will be no reports from me. If it is a big open area that can stand quite a bit of pressure, then I may report.

I enjoy the occasional report but think it is pathetic that some guys will not go unless they read it is good. I am taking a local trip tomorrow and have no idea if fish have been caught on lures there recently.

[reeltor]

I see less boats on the water. I know financial pressure has a lot of my friends shore bound.

[Hillbilly Boater]

Skip, From what I've seen in my short time on the bay,9 years, there seem to be fewer on the water. It usd to be if you lauched at CB on a Sat in early season, there were long lines. The last few years I have not seen that. The second week of the season last year we drove right in an launched. That's only me and one location because there still seem to be a lot of trollers out there.