Mark,
I realise this is off-track, but perhaps the lack of eating quality is one of the prime movers here? I've never had a skipper fight me over putting a GT back, but a YFT or Spanish mackerel - I've definitely had to be a tad more forceful to have them go back. admittedly that is largely in areas that would be considered 3rd world. I think the nearest analogy is with sailfish - these were wholesale butchered in Guatemala and Costa Rica until the US anglers recognized the value of them alive and spent an age "buying" the fish to release them and generating the knowledge that others here have mentioned - the overall economy then booms as a complete industry springs up around one species of fish. Malaysia is similar - its not so long ago (less than 15 years) that Sails were trawled there. Now it is turning into a world class fishing location where relatively novice anglers can, very cheaply catch lots of sail fish. Neither are spectacular food, but both a great sport - and local economies are getting hotels, resteraunts, guides, specialist tackle (witness the Kaiser sailfish rods specifically made for Rompin) etc..
Perhaps its the realization that we can only eat so much - so once you have caught a few trout, spaniards, etc - you are either heading home or putting things back - in which case - why not have a blast with the most spectacular strikes and hardest pulling beasts in the sea - who just happen to love living in pretty nice places too.
It comes back to the ages - we have got past that food stage, need a challenge and the non food fish is actually a harder target than many decent eaters.
As paul stated - in the areas still in the "kill em all" for food stage - we need to educate to lower the killing to the minimum needed to support humans. In the more affluent areas - its full steam ahead with the development of technology etc.
Lets face it - good anglers will ALWAYS be ahead of not so good anglers. Technology only closes that gap when it is limited in its availability, once everyone has it - only the fish lose out, if fish are returned they in turn learn and the cycle begins again.
And that is why we are here - to close those gaps.
Getting back on track. The PILI lure I believe was made back in the early 80's in Hawaii - thats the earliest reference i can find online. They are resin lures - so I am pretty certain someone copied a wood one. I still cant find any earlier references though,
And now an excerpt from the Hawaii Fishing News.
100-plus
Weight Angler Location Date
Ulua 100 lbs 8 oz Isaac Makapuu Point, Oahu 1958
In the old days of trevally fishing from shore, it was extremely rare for an angler to be able to conquer big reef predators like the 100-lb ulua. Isaac used a split bamboo/hickory pole measuring 12 feet in length, a Pflueger Templar 500 reel and 80-lb test linen line. I guess this wasnt a popper though !
Another quote from the Hawaii news;
"Giant trevally, locally known as ulua, are the prize of Hawai'i's shorecasters. Many exceptional fish have been caught-some in the 150-lb range. The giant of them all, a 191-lb monster, was speared by Al Gadow from Lahaina, Maui on January 14, 1980. On the same dive, Al reported seeing a larger ulua that escaped"Check out this list and then look at the tackle....... 13 ft beach rods for 150lb GT's.
http://www.hawaiifishingnews.com/100plus.cfm?order=ID