I have seen a bunch of bass kept this year on LI.
Also many released, but the amount of guys walking off the beach with bass this year compared to the past few years to me is staggering.
There seems at times to be a lot of bass in the 28-32 inch range where I have been fishing.
Likely a good year class of fish?
Would have been a good time to have a 26-36 inch slot where you would release fish in that range and build a solid breeder class.
This is all from the beach, can imagine whats happening on boats.