Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?

[DZ]

Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?

Here is a question I’ve been pondering for the past few years. I’d be interested in hearing any thoughts on the topic.

For the past 10 years or so I’ve seen many sharpies, high hooks, etc, keep/kill large bass even though they have taken plenty as large or larger in the past. This past season I saw quite a few instances of it, the most recent incident happened in November when at least two 50s and a few 40s were killed by a few charter captains (with no paying customers aboard at the time.) These two guys have taken multiple 50s in the past. But this question is not just about them, its about everyone. Some of the guys I fish with on occasion also keep large fish that are not their “personal bests”. I am in no way denigrating anyone – I just want to know your opinions/reasoning.

I also have many cohorts in the surf who will not keep a fish over 30 pounds – to us fish this large are too valuable a resource to kill, the only exception we would make to our rule is a personal best – a fish for the wall - which I can understand.
If we want a bass for the table a 12-20 pound fish is more than enough.
Our fishing club contest also makes it easier by allowing entered bass to be weighed on a hand scale, witnessed by another angler, then released alive We instituted this club rule in the 1980s and have used it ever since. Some may scoff that this rule is rife for abuse but we’ve never had anyone cheat for a measly trophy or $30 cash prize.

While reading “Striper Wars” by #^&#^&#^&#^& Russell I was reminded of how and why the “Catch and release” craze began in the striped bass fishery during the 1980s. This concept really caught on and helped revive a fishery that was in peril. But even back then when there were very few bass to be had, there were fishermen who would kill every legal bass they could. The reason: commercial sale – which was/is a very valid reason (though maybe not very ethical at that time.)

Nowadays there is still commercial sale of striped bass and it remains a valid/legal reason to kill large bass, a policy that I don’t necessarily agree with but do understand.

So here are the questions: please keep your response civil.

Are anglers who keep big bass (and not sell them) even though they've taken many that are even larger, doing it just for a “Photo Op” or notoriety?

Are anglers just killing bass for entry into their fishing club contests?

Can we rationalize keeping large cows when we can just as well keep a smaller specimen?

Thanks for your response.

DZ

[JohnR]

I don't keep many bass at all - a few for the table and I would prefer those under 15-20 pounds max. Would I keep a yearly best? Perhaps. Would I keep a lifetime best? Perhaps

Sure it is legal to be able to keep your two per day but is it really necessary??

[MakoMike]

DZ,

Re:"Our fishing club contest also makes it easier by allowing entered bass to be weighed on a hand scale, witnessed by another angler, then released alive We instituted this club rule in the 1980s and have used it ever since"

What if I told you that weighing the fish on a hand scale before releasing it increases post release mortality by well over 100%? I don't want to go into all the details but you will find tham in an article I'm working for On The water, what will appear in a couple of months.

[Krispy]

Seriously tho, is mortality still estimated at 8%? So 16% +- for fish put on a scale. Do those mortality numbers change for weighing larger 25lb + size fish? I assume a higher rate, since most arent weighing much smaller than that

[Back Beach]

If I want a fish for the table, I will usually take the first decent size keeper I catch whether it is 30 inches or 30 pounds and release the rest. As for taking the real big ones, I like to document and authenticate a real large fish on an official scale, thus to me, the fish must be kept and witnessed IMO. One thing that has always been ingrained in me by one of my mentors is that if you want to brag or boast about a large fish, all the power to you, but make sure it is official and "show me the slip". When I hear stories about the guys who "released 50's", I think great, but how did you get an "official" weight with a hand scale or other device while out in the elements? To some, authenticating the fish is unimportant, but for me, that would be the reason I would keep one.

[DZ]

Interesting Mike - I've heard that before. Would be a very interesting article - I'm sure it would apply to bass being held out of the water by any means (lip gaffed, held by gill cover, etc). That said I like their chances of survival being weighed and released than being thrown in the cooler.

DZ

[Nebe]

i agree with backbeach. i released a fish in the 30's this fall and was treated with doubt from a few guys. I just feel good knowing that that fish is still alive. I will only kill a large bass if i feel its a gone-er. The last big one i kept was 37 lbs and i still feel bad that i killed it. I fed alot of people with it, but personally i would rather eat a 28.1 inch bass anydayof the week.. less toxins.

let the breeders go.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Nebe

I fed alot of people with it, but personally i would rather eat a 28.1 inch bass anydayof the week.. less toxins.

let the breeders go.

I agree

[Slipknot]

"So here are the questions: please keep your response civil.

Are anglers who keep big bass (and not sell them) even though they've taken many that are even larger, doing it just for a “Photo Op” or notoriety?

Are anglers just killing bass for entry into their fishing club contests?

Can we rationalize keeping large cows when we can just as well keep a smaller specimen? "

--------------------

1. could be but maybe it's just because they are proud to have landed a large fish or want to share the fish with family or friends or even people who don't get to fish.

2. Possibly, but first off they'd have to be in a club that has a contest and second they'd have to want to be in on the contest.

3. that's very interesting and I am sure opinions will vary. If I get a 50 from shore, I am 99.9% sure it goes on the wall or atleast a fiberglass mount of it will.

I usually keep about 3 or 4 fish per year and compared to the hundreds I release, I don't think that's too bad. I keep bass from 15 lbs to 25 lbs usually but I have kept in the past 5 years 2 fish over 30 and 2- 40 pounders. I have let alot of 30's go, but never released a 40 yet. I hope I get the chance to release a plug caught 40 someday.
I agree that if you intend to release a bass, then unhook it with as little harm to the fish as possible, by weighing it hanging vertically that can really harm a large fish.

I think KarlF released his personal best this year

[SandyPtMayor]

i bring a camera with me on my kayak and snap pictures of the stripers i catch...i kept two this year and one was given to a family of four to enjoy....

[janiejones]

I release every fish I catch. Every last one.

[BigFish]

I keep maybe 2 stripers a year....the first decent keeper.....30 inches....for the table/freezer and I might keep my largest of the season.....that might only be in the 25-30 pound range. If I catch a personal best....it depends on the size I guess.....I might just get a few snap shots and let it go on its merry way....I won't mount a fish....it depends on the certain situation I guess.

[choggieman]

I personally beleive most big fish are kept for the sole purpose of bragging. They are not good eating, skin mounts are a thing of the past and lotsa people need to prove how big they're johnson is by showing everyone their catch. Let them go, they are too rare a commodity to kill for a picture. But, 28 inch bass some of my marinade.... mm mm good.

[Joe]

They're probably keeping it so they will have a better chance of being believed. Its gotten pretty common within the fishing community for rumors to circulate that somebody's trophy catch was either a figment of their imagination or a commercial by-catch passed off as a rod and reel catch.

It's more complicated than just; catch-and-release is good, keeping fish is bad.

What do I think? My opinion is that long as a person is within the law, what they do with their catch is their own business. More effort should be made toward catching the poachers - a lot more fish are falling to them - they're not smiling for the camera.

[BigFish]

Choggieman....you are generalizing by throwing a blanket over everyone that wants to keep a large fish....it is their fish and, within the bounds of the law, they are entitled to it whether you like it or not! Good for you...you let all yours go except the 28 inch yummies....but don't go pouncing on everyone that keeps anything over 32 inches....that is just plain wrong!

PS- I take my pictures and then release.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by DZ

Interesting Mike - I've heard that before. Would be a very interesting article - I'm sure it would apply to bass being held out of the water by any means (lip gaffed, held by gill cover, etc). That said I like their chances of survival being weighed and released than being thrown in the cooler.

DZ

DZ,
You have that right, the bigger the fish the less it's chance for survival after being weighted.

[Karl F]

Personally, I keep less than I used to.
My preference is for the smaller fish, flavor, texture, and I hear the less toxin arguement as well. I'm of an age that I can remember when a 16 inch fish used to be a keeper, and I will tell you a fat 16-20 inch fish, is by far the best eating.

I know of one big fish kept by a well known trophy hunter this year, that would have gone back, had it not been hooked so deep, and bleeding profusley, and this was on a plug, so as not to get the bait vs artificial thing going. He has told me he will only keep large, if it looks like a record, from now on, he still keeps the occasianal 28 inch table fish, as do I.

And yes Slip, my personal best went back in this year, hooked thru the lip, easy measure, unhook, no pictures, and farewell.

I'd like to see the law read that a fish that is obviously going to die, under 28, could be kept legally... I see some with gut hooked, bleeding schoolies, going back in.. lot of seal food, that could be somebodys lunch, IMHO.

Anybody keeping fish to feed the family, I'm fine with that, I think we have all been there.

[choggieman]

I wasn't trying to stir the pot. Too often someone catches or claims to have caught a fish they are dragging around town showing the world. In my experience the guy that is doing so is doing it for the glory, not for any other reason. I see all too often the instant heros made by a catch. In some cases I am a firm beleiver men have bought fish from draggers or commercial guys just to self promote themselves as heros. I am passionate about striped bass and hate to see a magestic fish killed for the sake of glory. I have more respect for the man that releases that fish than the one who parades it. In this sport credibilty is always in question, but if you have to lie about a fish, you are also self promoting. I have and will kill fish up to 20 lbs for the table, but I promise you will never see me or any of my fishing partners parade around with a big fish killed for the sake of showing off.

[BigFish]

I agree with you there Choggieman....I hate waste...especially when people keep 2 fish everytime out...how much fish can you eat?

[basswipe]

After having just finished "Striper Wars" my appreciation and understanding of what it took to get the bass to where its at today brings me to the conclusion that releasing fish should be the rule rather than the exception.

Will I ever keep another bass for the table?.Absolutely.Just nowhere near as many.

[Roger]

In order to help preserve the resource I have taken it upon myself over the last few years to not catch anything much over 30# , no matter how much I try.

That's my story and I'm stickin' with it.

[Goose]

Originally Posted by DZ

Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?



Nowadays there is still commercial sale of striped bass and it remains a valid/legal reason to kill large bass, a policy that I don’t necessarily agree with but do understand.



DZ

I don't like the fact that so many guys take two every time, never mind it being #30 or #40, surf or boat, it doesn't matter. Some want to impress others and feed others.... they take it for granted, I've been guilty of that. But theres a fine line there. I think most surf guys don't realize how many 1000's and 1000's of pounds are taken commerialy every season. So why should I release so that some commerial guy can pay for his obsession?? F that!! I take what I want when I want and feel no guilt about it. As long as I'm not abuseing.

[BigFish]

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day....teach a man to fish and he becomes a chest pounding sharpie wanna be!

[Offshore]

I killed four stripers this year - all for the table. I released somewhere near 5-600. I fish 3-4 days per week from April to November on Cape Cod and often go south when the fish leave here, so I fish a lot.

As for your questions:

1. I have no way of knowing why another angler keeps a fish. So long as it is taken legally and disposed of legally, I don't think its' any of my business

2. I suppose some do but, as long as they take and dispose of them legally, I don't think it's any of my business.

3. I suppose some folks can but I don't. I'd rather keep a small fish but, sometimes have to keep a large one if it's injured.

[Backbeach Jake]

When I started fishing, it was to fill the freezer. We'd codfish in March and April from shore. Do stripers when they came. And the annual Quincy Bay trip finished it off. Today I still enjoy the security of having a few fillets in the freezer, but it's not like it was; PACKED! I keep the smallish keepers and send the cows home. I owe them that. And they are the future of the fishery. Keeping the legal limit of keepers is ok, but I have this debt to the species. They got me through, and I'll see them through. Good thread, this one...

[piemma]

I saw a guy absolutely mutilate a 20 inch bass this Fall. Eye ripped out, bleeding profusely. I told him to keep it. He said "but it's not legal!" He threw it back and it wash up dead a few minutes later. Do you guys think he did the right thing? I don't. I think he was better off eating the fish than leaving it for the crabs and gulls.
Personally, I release a lot of my fish. I also catch a lot of fish because I put a lot of time in. I also keep some fish for the table. That's one of the reasons I fish. I like eating bass. If that's unsportsman like then, so be it. Just a point of fact. I never keep a fish under 34" and I think that the 2 fish 28" law is stupid.

1) There is no reason to keep 2 fish a day....ever

2) I don't think we should be killing 28 inch fish.

3) I liked it back in the early 90's when the law was one 34".

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Goose

theres a fine line there. I think most surf guys don't realize how many 1000's and 1000's of pounds are taken commerialy every season. So why should I release so that some commerial guy can pay for his obsession?? F that!! I take what I want when I want and feel no guilt about it. As long as I'm not abuseing.

FYI almost 80% of the striper catch is by recreational fishermen. So if you want to know who's catching the lions share of the fish, just look in the mirror.

[Backbeach Jake]

I once asked an Enviro Cop about keeping a dying striper. He said "Don't get caught, it'll get you fined. You can't eat it, but something will." As much as we hate that feeling of waste, I guess it's part of the price of the ticket.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by BigFish

I agree with you there Choggieman....I hate waste...especially when people keep 2 fish everytime out...how much fish can you eat?

I always have the same reaction to some of these photos. A pair of 20's produces some pretty big fillets. Even if you give some away to neighbors on both sides, it's still a lot if you are good at filleting a fish. I just don't get it.

I'm with DZ, all my 30+ went back this year. All but 1 under 30 did too. I'd keep more if I truly felt the fishery was healthy.

Our charter captains guided clients to way more then a few 40+ # bass on plugs from the whitewater this year, I'm proud to say we don't kill 'em all just to get a pic. Besides, it's not that hard to take a quick pic and slide them back into the sea. Every single fish was released and we can still barely keep up with the demand for charters. I find it tough to respect captains who kill a large number of fish just for bragging rights. If you're good word will spread with or without photographs of dead fish.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

FYI almost 80% of the striper catch is by recreational fishermen. So if you want to know who's catching the lions share of the fish, just look in the mirror.

I for one would love to know where that figure is arrived from. And also if it includes all the bycatch dead stripers in that total. I am not that surprised by it since there are thousands more times recreational fishermen than commercial fishermen fishing for bass, so why not say that recs kill 5 times as many? What difference does it make which group catches the lions' share?