I have zero problem with spearfishing, as long as it is done in the manner you guys mention. I know and have had issues with 'friends' who went spear fishing daily and killed daily mostly because they could. I agree with Eben, I keep mostly bigger fish surf fishing, but this is done more because I havent landed a true trophy yet, but also because of the conditions that fish was caught, landed and relased in. On a sandy beach, releasing a fish that isnt hooked overly deep isnt a problem, I have no issue with that, on a calm rock inside a breachway or standing on a low boulder offshore I can usually release a fish with minimal handling or time out of the water. Take those same fish, lets say its 25lbs, and take it off the rocks of gansett on a night its humping 3-5ft with chop ontop.... tough conditions... that fish is likely banged against the rocks and hoisted up by the lip or gills while you scamper back up high enough to unhook the fish and then go back down the water and relase it... Those are the fish I keep... I released quite a few good fish in calm conditions because I could. and I kept I few fish I may not have because conditions and handling prevented me from feeling comfortable releasing it.
Just my 0.02, but give some thought to conditons and handling before releasing a fish that may or may not make it.....
As far as toby's post... I agree with you, and to be honest I'm not sure I could release a 50.... but I think one of the biggest problems is people targeting small fish with light tackle... say the average schoolie monster goes out and catches 10 schoolies a few times a week.. maybe he's using storm shads and the inhale them... get hooked deep, and 2 or 3 of those fish die, definetly not unreaslistic, especially in the summer when the water is warm and fish stress easier... We have all seen this guy, and some are worse than others, i.e the guy who kicks fish and doesnt unhook them etc....
That guy then goes home and is very proud of himself that he was stricly a C & R fisherman, even though he unknowingly killed 3 fish. Meanwhile people fishing heavier tackle at night (in my experience) take less schoolies and those that are taken are subdued quickly and generally released quickly... and maybe that guy keeps and kills one fish, and maybe thats the only fish he caught all night....
The moral is who's a better person for the fishery? Who knows, I am speculating about the small fish dying, but I do know that light tackle is fun, but it does kill more fish (lactic acid buildup etc..) and increases mortaility rate, which also increases with water temperature increasing..... just my 0.02 again... and to steal a line from an old gym poster.. go heavy or go home
