View Full Version : Dave Andersons Article in the fisherman..


Rockfish9
01-30-2009, 12:47 PM
Page 16R... one of the best articles I have read in a long, long time.. Kudos to Dave for bringing something to tha table that is near and dear to anyone that has been striper fishing for more than a few deacdes..Thanks Dave

ProfessorM
01-30-2009, 01:11 PM
Dave who:confused:

JohnR
01-30-2009, 01:28 PM
Crap - this means I'm gonna need to pick it up... :lasso:

GattaFish
01-30-2009, 02:15 PM
Dave who:confused:


:rotf2::rotf2::rotf2:

Clammer
01-30-2009, 02:42 PM
read it / he,s right on .. But / its not a boat fish //

he has his S$%^&*( together ...most of the time >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>he,s no fun ><><><:smokin:

Raven
01-30-2009, 02:57 PM
Dave's not hear.... WHAT? :call:

fishaholic18
01-30-2009, 03:01 PM
Dave:kewl::kewl::kewl:

PNG
01-30-2009, 03:40 PM
Good read but will they hear it?

Shoulda been in the front of the mag.

Crafty Angler
01-30-2009, 04:29 PM
Ahhh....he's startin' to sound like an old faht, kids today and all that stuff -

Well, that's what he gets for hangin' around here, I guess...:hihi:

Canalman
01-30-2009, 07:16 PM
Thanks... I'm glad that it seems that everyone has read it the way it was intended. My boss was a little upset about it today :laughs: when he read it AFTER it went to print. :laughs:

hardcore from shore
01-30-2009, 07:30 PM
I read it as let the big breeders live. I read it as "As much as it would be great to hang a 40 or a 50 it would be even better to catch one and release it to breed again".

The "real" fisherman I know I believe when they say they got a 30, 40 or 50 (or a 20 or less). There are times to hang one, but there are times to be happy with what you get and let them go as you know you earned it.
Bill

missing link
01-30-2009, 07:56 PM
WOW I read it and got it on time , well you do have to put a MAG out and keep the membership up It keeps us hanging on and I suspect my timely deliveries will cum to a abrupt hault once the fish come in and arrive S L O W and I know it's no fault from the fisherman , It'S G DaM post office getting all the spots B 4 I do
Dave You have done a GREAT job & I still have some of those POPPERS ( GRITTY ONES) I'll continue getting the fisherman just as long as my sister still gives it to me @ X-Mas time
And they make great fire starters just as long that you krinkle them up just right .
NO BS I love the MAG and look foward to it each week The Mag hasen't given up a spot I fish in 2 YRS
LOVE LINK Sr

Canalman
01-30-2009, 09:38 PM
Link and anyone else with a delivery problem,

Please call our office and get on the Mail Watch list. The problems have been getting less as we point out the problem areas to the Post Master General (scary sounding I know).

-dave

missing link
01-30-2009, 10:01 PM
Dave I'm so happy with the on time del time
as 4 my deliverer her husband is happy also when the season starts
I' ll never give up my subscription to this MAG
sorry to say other conflicts with some other posts I thought I was being helpfull just to brighten winter BLUES I've done something wrong I dident write the QUOTES inthe pic's it was just a proud daughters thoughts about her DAD LIKE I said SEE YA

fishbones
01-30-2009, 10:25 PM
Excellent article Dave. I don't see how it could be interpreted any way other than how I think you meant it. It wasn't preachy. I think it might be more of a wake up call to some people.

Rocco34520
01-30-2009, 10:40 PM
I need to pick a copy up now!

Green Light
01-31-2009, 12:23 AM
Dave Anderson (if you are in s-b.com):

I agree 100%. But, I think it's up to us to slowly re-educate the "new breed of surfman" by answering their questions with silence. If they listen, then respond with a pointed question that will guide them to answer their own questions. That is, help them learn for themselves.

Impressive witting.
I hope to read more of your works.
Kudos.

-Fish360.

PS

Someone once said that if fishing was about catching fish, they would have called it "catching" and not fishing. This new breed of "catch-man" are also invading the fresh water ranks.

Finaddict
01-31-2009, 01:32 AM
Dave -

I read it, fortunately I get my magazines on Wednesday, always have. No complaints on my delivery times. And Dave I enjoy reading it every week, you've been producing a good publication with great new writers who add good value.

Your overall message was on target - learn the sport the honest way ... by learning through time on the water and learning through trial and error ... also don't kill trophy fish as a photo will last a lifetime and give opportunity for the fish to spawn new stocks of fish, etc. I've never taken to people crowding or horning in on spots learned by others ... drives me crazy ... all necessary messages.

From a business/marketing point of view - it can be argued ... be careful about alienating readership ... I forget how you exactly categorized that group ... but those who can afford to spend money on the best gear [especially during tight economic times in an industry that is feeling the impact now] ... no sense in turning off those who help to support your advertisers, the publication and many in the industry who are active on this site ... I am surprised that FG let that go through and didn't edit it ... I'm just saying give that consideration too when you are writing.

Thanks for a good magazine, it's really the only fishing pub I read anymore.

RIROCKHOUND
01-31-2009, 09:24 AM
Thanks... I'm glad that it seems that everyone has read it the way it was intended. My boss was a little upset about it today :laughs: when he read it AFTER it went to print. :laughs:

Keep sticking it to the man Dave. You KNOW I like it when you go around the boss to get something in print :hidin:

Rockport24
01-31-2009, 07:25 PM
good stuff indeed! I love to see editors speak their mind like that, and I'm glad you did!

Pete F.
02-01-2009, 07:39 AM
I'll second what Finaddict said.

Crafty Angler
02-01-2009, 08:01 AM
Ahhh....he's startin' to sound like an old faht, kids today and all that stuff -

Well, that's what he gets for hangin' around here, I guess...:hihi:

Hey, Dave, like I told ya yesterday, I was busting ya -

It was a well-written piece and dead on the nuts - it's just another consequence of what happens in the information age - the internet has considerably shortened the learning curve for a lot of the younger guys gleaning information from more experienced surfcasters.

On the other hand there are also some of the newer guys who are putting in their time and paying their dues and respect the old guard for the price they paid. If they're going to be successful they still have to do it the old fashioned way - they have to earn it.

Maybe it's the lack of respect? Well, no one really respects what they get for free. Or probably just another example of what has become a less civil society in general -

Ultimately I think it's just the cyber version of the old bait-shop bull**** ya used to hear back in the day - after a while, whether it was in a real bait-shop back then or on the internet today, it becomes evident after a while as to who's talking out of their paper hat regardless of what gear they have and today it's just easier to do behind the anonymity of a screen name.

The insert of conservation was just as important, I thought - after a while you get to the point where taking a fish for the table to feed your family or friends is one thing - and taking a fish to feed your ego is another.

Christ, now I'm starting to sound like an old phart...:hihi:

NIB
02-01-2009, 09:33 AM
Dave,
Awesome article.I could not have said it any better myself.Well maybe I could but you could not print it..:err:
This whole fast food fishing society of fisherman who have to have instant results with little input makes me want to puke..
This one article was worth the price of the yearly subscription.IMO..I will be glad to re-up again next year..
Thank You.

Tony.

fishgolf
02-01-2009, 09:38 AM
Haven't read the article yet.
But from posts, it sounds similar to a theme written about in Newsweek (Jan 12th ed.) concerning the taking of trophy game and the unintended affect of weakening the gene pool by leaving less fit animals to continue the line.
Interesting article.
df

Slipknot
02-01-2009, 09:58 AM
Dave,
Awesome article.I could not have said it any better myself.Well maybe I could but you could not print it..:err:
This whole fast food fishing society of fisherman who have to have instant results with little input makes me want to puke..
This one article was worth the price of the yearly subscription.IMO..I will be glad to re-up again next year..
Thank You.

Tony.

good, now that you're done reading it, send it to me so I can read it too, i'm too cheap I guess to get a subscription :hidin:

NIB
02-01-2009, 09:59 AM
Here is something I posted somewheres else.Too much time on my hands and caffiene...It's more about fishing in NJ.The new breed, the one hit hero and his minions.

Just when I thought I was done they suck me back in.http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/images/smilies/graemlins/cwm31.gif

While I do consider myself the last bastion against stupid.It's getting harder and harder to stem the tide.
In this new fast food world of surfcasting there has to be results.Our fishery in the spring has done just that.It has also spawned a new breed of big bass men..These new anglers with chest's pumped out have no idea of what our sport is really all about.As "personal bests" fall every minute.The lack difficulty or skill means nothing.They are the new kings.They also think what happens in the spring as far as etiquette is the status quo for the rest of the seasons.I run into these types all the time while sipping a coffee.
"See any bait"."Whats your biggest bass..??"
IMO it has diminished our great sport to that of a video game.
Snag and Drop 2000..
In the mist's of all this a new way of learning has developed.With pics and coverages of the spring runs there is a new king.You can see him three times a week in all the publications.With so many jewels. The fast food anglers flock to him like the pied piper.With dollars in hand they can buy their way to the next big bass.No work involved.Just get a snag hook and get in the network..No body just goes fishing anymore, they need information.With the smallest amount they know just enough to be dangerous.
As they ride the wave it only gets larger.It makes my head want to explode.Not to worry it is my problem. I am the bad guy,The elitist..I was taught this sport under a shroud of secrecy.Now more than ever it is obvious as to why.In a few short months the mongrel horde will be upon us once again stronger that ever..Armed with the off seasons newly learned tactics and 3,000 dollars in gear.They are just enough to be dangerous.I can't wait..
I will fight the good fight.While I have this sad feeling.
There is nothing I can do or say that will make any difference in the end.

Slipknot
02-01-2009, 10:15 AM
NIB, what day in May should I be down there with my snag trebles and sneaker?


:fury::whackin::chatter:smash::biglaugh:

numbskull
02-01-2009, 11:30 AM
Looking for shortcuts, using fish size to measure skill, climbing the status ladder (and killing fish to do it), are hardly reserved for beginners. Too bad you chose to bash the internet wonder, wanna-be sharpie. Although there were many good points I agreed with in this piece, I thought it would have been much better addressed to those of us who have been fishing for years rather than to those just starting out.

NIB
02-01-2009, 11:51 AM
Although there were many good points I agreed with in this piece, I thought it would have been much better addressed to those of us who have been fishing for years rather than to those just starting out.


I thought he did both well indirectly..IMO,The ones fishing for years don't really have to be told of this.They live it every day.Perhaps in your little piece of Idaho you don't run into this phenom as much as others..

dannyplug1
02-01-2009, 01:55 PM
Dave I agree 100 percent. You lmake two great points: Asking questions reading books and articles are fine. However there is no su bstitute for on the water experience. Secondly only a pig kills a big fish to show it off. Real sportsmen care about the future of the resource and get more satisfaction releasing a cow. I dont care if people believe that I catch a good fish I know I did. Dave thanks for a good article one complant it should have been on the inside cover where it would get more views. thanks Charlie

numbskull
02-01-2009, 03:42 PM
Secondly only a pig kills a big fish to show it off.

Yet most truly big fish are caught by very experienced and good fishermen, most are killed, and most are "shown-off " in one manner or another (if only to family and friends) with the rationalization they are being kept for food, tournament, or "documentation". The truth is that for many saltwater fishermen, the successful kill of a large fish equates with a successful hunt and produces plenty of self-satisfaction. Nothing necessarily wrong with that.......how many guys would deer hunt with cameras?......but whether the resource can continue to stand it is debatable.

Rockfish9
02-02-2009, 09:48 AM
Dave,
Awesome article.I could not have said it any better myself.Well maybe I could but you could not print it..:err:
This whole fast food fishing society of fisherman who have to have instant results with little input makes me want to puke..
This one article was worth the price of the yearly subscription.IMO..I will be glad to re-up again next year..
Thank You.

Tony.


I agree, I've been getting this mag. for more years than I want to admit.... this is one of the best articles I have ever read, not for the "save the breeders" part, what people do with their fish is none of my buisness, and fodder for a different thread, I myself havent killed a bass in close to 10 years now, my enjoyment from the article comes from the "fact of life" message that has surrounded us on every aspect, including fishing... the only satisfaction I get from it is this, if times get tough, the "give it to me nows" will be fishless, those of us that have learned the ways of the bass will always eek out a few fish...you just cant substiute experience, when the fishing is easy.. everyones and expert.

Canalman
02-02-2009, 11:04 AM
I'd like to clarify one thing and that is that I would never look down my nose at someone for keeping a big fish. People who keep multiple trophies per season, those are the ones that bug me. I have a few friends that do this and yes I have killed a few big ones and I regret it now.

Catching a trophy is the culmination of all your efforts and hard work as an angler. But now that I've made the change to releasing the big ones, it's much more satisfying than saying "hey look what I caught!"

That was really the point I was trying to make.

Canalman
02-02-2009, 11:08 AM
I dont care if people believe that I catch a good fish I know I did.

That's it. That's what's been lost and adding to that with the conservation-minded, updated mindset that gives a new satisfaction after a successful release of most of the bigger fish.

-dave

fishbones
02-02-2009, 11:14 AM
Dave, I re-read the article this morning and I took it as more of a "an accomplishment is more gratifying if it's earned rather than handed to you" message. Basically, to me it say to take your time and enjoy the whole process as opposed to wanting instant gratification. I don't think anyone should be offended by it. I spend about half my time fishing from the boat and the other half surfcasting. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to fishing tera firma, but each year and each time out I learn more. That to me is a big part of the enjoyment. But then again, I'm not fishing for a 50 every time out. I fish to relax and have fun. If I base a successful trip on how much fun I had, I'd say that I'm a pretty darn good fisherman. For those that only want to set records or PB's every time out, they're missing out on a lot of what makes fishing great.

Keep up the good work!

BassDawg
02-02-2009, 12:16 PM
while i've yet to read the article and

am going out now to pick it up,,,,,,,,,,,

a quick question for you wily veterans of the surf
who've been there/done THAT and have made the
transition to a kinder and gentler Striperman,,,,,,,,,,

what will you DO when that 80#er comes a calling on YOU???

can any ONE of you say that you would simply take her picture, revive her gently, and smack her on her tail section as she swims off into her briny depths ~~no worse for the wear~~ while you wade there resigned to ONLY your memories and thoughts of how "great it feels" and what a sensitive and thoughtful and selfish surf fisherwoman you've become by releasing such a beautiful and infertile beast; that will prolly die of OLD AGE and become bottom feeder food whilest you wallow in your extreme SMUGness??

if i was her,,,,,,,,,,,,,remembering that
".........vanity, thy name is Woman."

i'd much prefer the parading around of myself to the masses the day of the Catch~ a funeral march that is unequaled at sea, the mounting of my carcass displayed throughout Striperdom, my last fight becoming the subject of countless articles and publications~ no better obit possible, providing the riches and fame wrought on some well deserved(or not) surfcaster, and assuming the place of IGFA Hall of Fame that my documented death would carry~ should i perish so grandly; as opposed to death in sheer anonymity as the inconsequential feast of such loathsome forage that i've predated with great abandon and dominance~ lo these many and fruitful years!!! why not go OUT in a BLAZE of GLORY as the heroine of the Ultimate Fish Story, confirmation that there ARE Moby Stripers to be landed, and the inspiration of a multitude of stripermen along the mighty Atlantic to land the next World Trophy???

or even worse, to succumb to one fell swoop/bite of a Great White
or an Orca as a measly morsel in the Grand Circle of Sea Life.
i mean, iffin i waz her,,,,,,,,,,,i'm just sayin',,,,,,,,,,,, :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

sum thoughts gents, for yer wintering (dis)pleasure??
:grins: :grins: :fishin: :grins: :grins:

The Dad Fisherman
02-02-2009, 12:28 PM
what will you DO when that 80#er comes a calling on YOU???


I'd take it home and Mount it......then take it to the taxidermist.

Rockfish9
02-02-2009, 12:56 PM
I wasnt going to respond, becuase , everyone getting ruffled feathers does no one no good.... but ponder this.. if 40 and 50 lbs bass are all kept... the chance of an 80 will be nil to non exixtant, small fish havent run the gambit of life yet, there are far more of them for sure.... I carry a 100 lb scale aboard my boat as well as a tape measure. and camera. I can honestly say the fish( potential record) would be released, I need not prove anything to anyone,.... I killed a 61lb, and 58lb fish in '86, and another 58lb fish in 2004, all these fish went to market,now, I wished I had let them live, a fish that magnifigant deservs it's own fate at sea, I've released other 50's since then, I have pictures, those and the memory of the night is all I need these days, by doing so I give another angler a chance at what could be another world record... had I killed them, the chance would have faded that night, in bygone days, no one had the fine didgital cameras or portable scales we have today, lugging the fish to the dock was the only way to know it's weight....all that being said, my finest striper fishing memory is not of a bohemoth striper, but of a schoolie that just made the 16" minimum length, it was a short June night perfect in every way, almost.. that fish was the only one for me that night, I remember clearly although it was over 40 years ago, watching the gray dawn approaching and praying the night would never end.

Back to the article,as I see it the jist of it wasnt so much about people killing fish, that was mainly a sidebar, the jist as I read it was about the new breed, surfing the internet, sidesteppping the real meaning of why we fish for Morne Saxatillis.

again, good job Dave, keep up the good work..

Roc

BassDawg
02-02-2009, 01:46 PM
great words and a fine opinion,,,,,,,,,,,,
ALSO, please note that most of the above
IS to be taken as fun and TICheekedness.

YET, it is my view that the 80#ers and up are
already out there my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,

irrespective of what you killed before or kill/release NOW!
sum sharpies even believe that there are pods OF~~~

90#'ers to 100#'ers yearmates out there,
patrolling THEIR particular haunts and still
fooling anglers to this day,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
:bl: :bl: :bl:

Rob Rockcrawler
02-02-2009, 05:50 PM
I finally got the issue in today. Good article.

Vogt
02-02-2009, 07:44 PM
I'd take it home and Mount it......then take it to the taxidermist.

Hahahahaha:btu:

Crafty Angler
02-03-2009, 01:47 AM
I'd take it home and Mount it......then take it to the taxidermist.

Good luck, Dad - tried it, she claimed she had a haddock...:laughs:

BassDawg
02-03-2009, 05:05 AM
Good luck, Dad - tried it, she claimed she had a haddock...:laughs:

"........take my alewife, PLEAZZZZZZZZE!"
:bl: :bl: :bl:

BassDawg
02-03-2009, 06:57 AM
I'd take it home and Mount it......then take it to the taxidermist.

:spin: :hf1: FUNNY stuff, TDF, FUNNN KNEE!! :hf1: :spin:

fishaholic18
02-03-2009, 07:11 AM
I'd take it home and Mount it......then take it to the taxidermist.

:laughs::claps::uhuh::humpty::scream::kewl::heybab y::hee:;):wiggle:

5 String Bass
02-05-2009, 12:01 AM
I'd take it home and Mount it......then take it to the taxidermist.

So you are saying you would stuff her twice?

:eyes:

:cheers2:

Mr. Sandman
02-05-2009, 08:01 AM
No offense to anyone but while he makes a good point, perhaps before throwing stones one might look within. (No not Dave personally but the company he works for.) Frankly I think organizations like The Fishermen, OTW, SWS , just about every other form of fishing media, and every tournament on the coast, even including this site, is IMO partly the CAUSE of this problem. The constant "Hero status" and incessant worship of those that catch large stripers creates an elite status or "class" of fishermen that many naturally want to aspire to.. How many times do they put a guy holding a big bass on the cover of their mag.? It is almost every week. How many times do they praise a big catch telling the readership how great fishermen so and so is for catching a large fish, and further boasts how often he can does it? Perhaps if YOU didn't idolize these good fishermen so much, this would not happen.

Bottom line don't tell me I can't take a fish home to eat now an again when I am well within the law. Esp when most guys here are fishing season long tourneys some weighing in a fish a week to look big in the eyes of their comrades at a beer fest each fall. Not to mention the TONs of dead bass floating on the surface due to by-catch dumping, rampant comm fishermen illegally catching/selling fish on more than one license and taking fish sub 32", a restaurant black market that is being ignored, and pathetic commercial policing of fisherman. IMO your barking up the wrong trees.


Fact is nothing is going to change. Media sells its products by selling right INTO this kind of person. I think Dave should have left this one alone. Stop telling his readership what bad people they are when it is his very magazine that is posting photos and making heroes (and money) off of the every people he critiques.

Its not bad to take a fish now and again and your no better then anyone else because you let one go. I bet there are a lot of "do as I say and not as I do" posts here....When you catch your 50 or 60 or perhaps a record 80, tell us about it when you let it go... and do share the photo with us.

later post: After now reading all the posts perhaps I misinterpreted what the author was driving at. The personal satisfaction one gets from fishing itself and releasing fish healthy. And taking repeated trophy fish throughout the season for a few points in a contest or personal pride. I do agree with him on those points . However I still believe that all the hoopla created about a big fish in the media (Internet, printed, tournaments and otherwise) is the root cause of this. Most want to be admired among their peers. Sorry if I POed anyone.

BassDawg
02-05-2009, 12:50 PM
Its not bad to take a fish now and again and your no better then anyone else because you let one go. I bet there are a lot of "do as I say and not as I do" posts here....When you catch your 50 or 60 or perhaps a record 80, tell us about it when you let it go... and do share the photo with us.

my 80#'er is going to be given a
proper and proud Parade along
the entire Striper Coast,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

does that make me an internet Hero, NO!!
it simply means that i'd like to share such a feat
with me surfcasting bretheren. ALLLL, me bruddahs!
:smokin: :humpty: :smokin:

oh yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,and

other than a reel and rod and sum tackle and a watch
and a boat and a truck and sum dollars and wild women and
endless nights of drunken debauchery,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

all other "proceeds" will go to charity
:jump: :jump: :jump:

Pete F.
02-05-2009, 11:27 PM
my 80#'er is going to be given a
proper and proud Parade along
the entire Striper Coast,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

does that make me an internet Hero, NO!!
it simply means that i'd like to share such a feat
with me surfcasting bretheren. ALLLL, me bruddahs!
:smokin: :humpty: :smokin:

oh yeah,,,,,,,,,,,,and

other than a reel and rod and sum tackle and a watch
and a boat and a truck and sum dollars and wild women and
endless nights of drunken debauchery,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

all other "proceeds" will go to charity
:jump: :jump: :jump:

Sounds like the lifestyle of the last guy to catch the biggest striper.

Green Light
02-06-2009, 09:37 AM
Mr. Sandman,

Dave Andersons article made reference to one dimension of the stripped bass crisis.

The health of the fishery is a muli-dimentional problem. And your post lists some of the other dimensions. I do not think that each dimension is equall. That is, some dimenssions or factors reduce the stripped bass population at a faster rate than others.

I think we can all aggree that our goal is to have a stable fishery and still be able to take a fish home to eat without adversely effecting the fishery.

That said, IMO, the dimention or factor that is reducing stripped bass stocks are the laws that allow for overharvesting and rape the ocean bed of bait fish.

My $0.02.

Via BlackBerry.

- Fish360

No offense to anyone but while he makes a good point, perhaps before throwing stones one might look within. (No not Dave personally but the company he works for.) Frankly I think organizations like The Fishermen, OTW, SWS , just about every other form of fishing media, and every tournament on the coast, even including this site, is IMO partly the CAUSE of this problem. The constant "Hero status" and incessant worship of those that catch large stripers creates an elite status or "class" of fishermen that many naturally want to aspire to.. How many times do they put a guy holding a big bass on the cover of their mag.? It is almost every week. How many times do they praise a big catch telling the readership how great fishermen so and so is for catching a large fish, and further boasts how often he can does it? Perhaps if YOU didn't idolize these good fishermen so much, this would not happen.

Bottom line don't tell me I can't take a fish home to eat now an again when I am well within the law. Esp when most guys here are fishing season long tourneys some weighing in a fish a week to look big in the eyes of their comrades at a beer fest each fall. Not to mention the TONs of dead bass floating on the surface due to by-catch dumping, rampant comm fishermen illegally catching/selling fish on more than one license and taking fish sub 32", a restaurant black market that is being ignored, and pathetic commercial policing of fisherman. IMO your barking up the wrong trees.


Fact is nothing is going to change. Media sells its products by selling right INTO this kind of person. I think Dave should have left this one alone. Stop telling his readership what bad people they are when it is his very magazine that is posting photos and making heroes (and money) off of the every people he critiques.

Its not bad to take a fish now and again and your no better then anyone else because you let one go. I bet there are a lot of "do as I say and not as I do" posts here....When you catch your 50 or 60 or perhaps a record 80, tell us about it when you let it go... and do share the photo with us.

later post: After now reading all the posts perhaps I misinterpreted what the author was driving at. The personal satisfaction one gets from fishing itself and releasing fish healthy. And taking repeated trophy fish throughout the season for a few points in a contest or personal pride. I do agree with him on those points . However I still believe that all the hoopla created about a big fish in the media (Internet, printed, tournaments and otherwise) is the root cause of this. Most want to be admired among their peers. Sorry if I POed anyone.

BassDawg
02-06-2009, 10:03 AM
Sounds like the lifestyle of the last guy to catch the biggest striper.

my POINT, exactly!!!
:claps: :claps: :claps:

just overstating the obvious and trying to
shed some light as to how i WOULDN'T do things.

i don't expect anything schwag related, but i would
seriously use the opportunity to educate and espouse
the necessity to FIX the Forage, 1@ 36" or Bigger,
re-examine the "State of the Striped Bass Fishery".

that is, if anyone would listen to me **heroic ramblings**
:bl: :bl: :bl: