I was talking to a neighbor last night and he said that when he retires, he plans to move somewhere around Myrtle Beach. I asked why and the answer shocked me.
He said he used to fish a lot but sold his boat 10 years ago because the fishing is so bad around here. He shook his head and said "you can't imagine what it was like growing up here - fishing was so much fun."
He said he plans to be active when he retires in 2 years and that I can't imagine how much better the fishing is in south carolina. He said it's easy and fun down there. I've lived next to him for 7 years and didn't know he fished.
I asked him if he followed the attempts at reform and he just laughed and said hell no - wouldn't waste his time. His opinion is that the fish are gone from North Carolina and won't be back in his lifetime so he's going to the next state down.
With the misinformation attacks from the rec and guide side on Let them Spawn and its rapid death in the senate, and the misinformation from guides on the striper issue -- along with the slow but total death of the NCWF shrimp trawl petition at the hands of the DMF -- I really think my neighbor is right.
We are a long way off from reform that will make a difference. I fully expect the potential flounder reforms to be gutted and/or "worked around" by comms so I've lost my hope on that too.
I don't know if I'll ever give up fishing in North Carolina or not but I can't imagine it will cause me to move. Who knows - one day the gillnetting and shrimp trawling will be gone - would be nice if I get to enjoy it - but not counting on it.
Once again - I just can't get away from this sh$t.