Interesting, but some odd stats. Can't seem to get the graphs to copy, but Fig. 5 Relative Abundance does not seem to at all correlate with Fig.6 Commercial Landings. The crash in 96 was sharp and does not match up to landing either so there has to be some other factors involved.

I'm still leaning towards the larger year classes of the early 90s and a predation scenario way out of balance.

http://www.mass.gov/eea/images/dfg/dmf/recreationalfishing/bass-abundance.jpg