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C&R PLAN
Doc: Agree totally that killing these large fish is a heresy. However, if you have a PLAN, you can weigh, measure, photo (usually a GREAT PHOTO because it is a live fish, and the colors are vibrant and the fins are up...), AND quickly revive and release. Advantage is that you can come away with "something" that can certainly cheer you up during the long winter, etc. off season months. I suspect, human nature what it is, more of these fish would be C&R'd rather than killed, dragged out, etc. if bassers were encouraged, rather than discouraged, to refine a C&R plan.
The skeleton of my system is to make the effort to carry the damned camera, tape, and scales. Logistically, this is admittedly tough because it weighs you down, or produces uncomfortable bulges for a walking, crawling surfcaster, or takes up space that could otherwise be dedicated to a half dozen additional plugs which you won't use. Always have a small dry towel so your hands can quickly go from a wet fish and environment to the camera which should be handled clean and dry. You need a camera with a 15 or better yet 30 sec. delay setting. I get a 5 sec. fish weight with an electronic scale hooked into a 9/0 SS tuna hook barb filed off run in the blank spot under the lower jaw of the fish.
Pic is a 48" fish weighing just over 40 lbs. on the electronic scale...released within a few seconds of the flash bulb.
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Threaded Mode