AOTY side effect?

Yesterday I had a chance to have a nice chat with the ODFW fish checker on the beach at PC.  As he measured my fish he made the comment that most of the largest Black Rockfish and Cabbies he has seen this year have been from kayak fishermen's creels.  I wonder if its related to those of us participating in AOTY and upgrading though the smaller fish on the water looking for and often sooner or later finding and retaining a big one.  I see no harm in this,  but just thought it was an interesting anecdote. 

I wonder if it might have to do with the area we're fishing, compared to the dories. Or maybe we're just targeting those fish more than them? Perhaps they spend more time fishing deeper for big lings? I Think it's a natural part of fishing to try get the largest fish possible.

Whatever Dude.... We just rule!

Whatever Dude.... We just rule!

Precisely! 

Also, I usually don't keep them unless they are at least 16 inches.  If I have to go through the trouble to clean them, I want to get some meat.  It may also be in the interest of the charter boats to keep them as they catch them because the sooner the clients limit out, the sooner they are not burning gas.  But that is just a guess.  The AOTY may be a factor, but you could measure it on the water and toss it back if you wanted to.  The ling I entered was my biggest caught, but I tossed it back because I would have been done for the day, ling-wise.  It was early and I got greedy.  It did not work out for me.

 I still believe Spot is right, we rule!