We visited some friends down south this winter. When you hear about them keeping 18" bass, it doesn't register. When you see someone come back with 18" bass from a fishing trip, it puts it into another perspective. There is no appreciable amound of meat on an 18" bass unless you fry the thing whole!
I think 34" is a great size as a minimum. A 28" bass is still a baby. The only thing that makes me think a 28" minimum might be good is in states where a shore fisherman has trouble catching one at 34". You have to give guys a chance to come home with something at the end of the day. If they don't feel the regs are fair, some will take matters into their own hands and keep it anyway. I'm not saying that's right, just saying people have to have an understanding of the regulations and the fairness factor.