The spawn cycle of East Coast fish begins at the end of March and lasts through June. Nature triggers this and fish congregate in shallower waters, which makes for more production. The draw back is that the quality of fish deteriorates. The female begin creating eggs while the males create milk. During this biological process the fish starve themselves.
Starvation makes the flesh of the fish denser but also softer.
The lack of fat fibers also contributes change of flesh texture. More active enzymes and a high ph count result in a softer fleshed fish. East Coast Striped Bass market has firmed up. It looks like Maryland Striped Bass has shut down. It will not reopen till June 2nd.