It is not the killing of big fish that is hurting the stocks. As Ken pointed out, they are past the prime breeding time. It is the 2, 28" fish that is killing the stocks. Day in and day out.
The 32 to 38" fish are the prime breeders. All the big fish have past the time of carrying viable eggs and in fact most of the eggs the females of that size, 40 to 50#, carry are sterile.
Let's stop this bitchin' about killing big fish. There are enough guys on this board that kill 30 to 40" fish every night that shouldn't be casting stones. Put back the mid size fish and let them become elderly. Why do you think there are not 50s caught everyday. Because some jamoke took home 2, 28" fish 10 times this year so he could be a DUDE and brag to his neighbors.
I get a a real kick out of some of the people who release 2 or 3 fish and think they are conservationist.
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