Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?

[Sea Dangles]

I haven't been fishing long but have invested a lot of $$$ into gear,gas etcetera and it almost becomes a break even to keep some fish.It's always nice to invite the neighbors over for some eats or give some fresh filets to family or even hunting friends that reciprocate with game.Right now I'm down to maybe three vac bags of @ 2-3 pounds each.Hell I bought a foodsaver just to keep it nice so yeah,it's become a way of life.Why should I buy previously frozen tilapia filets when I can eat something I dream about catching all winter?Not to mention losing sleep as well as $3.00 a gallon for a 100 mile round trip.Plenty get sent back because I hope to striper fish with my kids when I get older and I don't feel I take more than I'm entitled to.
As for the second question;personally I'll let the #30's go and pose with and eat the #40's.They do not taste as good as the 30" fish but they still are good eats.
And lastly I've never belonged to a club but intend to join Newport and Narragansett and would do so with the hope of giving something back to the fishery.Not to mention adding my name to any piece of hardware imaginable

[shadow]

I lose respect for a guy who's standing in a photo holding two very large fish. I can't see keeping two fish of any size in one night. I love to eat bass yet only keep one fish a month usually under 20#. my two largest fish this year were relased.why? because I already had fish in the freezer. I really cant say I would of released a 40 or larger with or without fish in thr freezer thoubasically I don't like to see waste or abuse legally or illegally.

[inTHERAPY]

I love to fish. It's an obsession! I am a conservationist, not a preservationist. It sounds a bit hypocritical to criticize a fisherman for taking his/her 2 fish whenever they want. I do not even comprehend why someone would question "why do you keep....?". If I want to eat it, sell it, give it away, show it off, so what?

[Raider Ronnie]

After reading some this tread I tried to add up how many bass I filleted this past season and I estamate in the hundreds
But I work a LOT of charters and Paying customers want their 2 fish to take home !!!
SORRY !!!

[Mike P]

I like to eat bass, so I'll keep about 4 a season. I like teen fish for the table. The only time I'll keep a big fish is if it's imjured and likely to die, or if I land one in a place where it's too risky to try to revive it and release it.

Personally, I could give a rat's patootie if anyone believes me or not if I mention that I released a 40 pound + fish. I know I caught it--why should I care whether anyone else believes it?

[nightfighter]

I primarily fish from private properties, or use private accesses to public spots. I always repay the owners who grant me access with a side from one of the first keepers caught from their property or access, if they are interested AND can cook it that day. I filet it for them and leave it iced in a cooler at their door for them. Blows them away. Guarantees me years of access. If I leave them both sides, their friends are often invited and if they are shorefront owners.....you get the drift. Two filets got shipped from my freezer to Chicago and we got a ten pound Christmas roast in return. I really enjoy having people eat striper that was swimming just hours ago. As I mostly fish predawn, most fish are released. (I do have to go to work from the beach) I would guess that I keep one in twenty legal fish and don't ever recall keeping more than one on a day. And I don't consider myself a trophy hunter. Most of the fish I can fool are 30-40 inch. If I need someone to vouch for that, I can often call Clogston or Luds48 over.

[topwatertom]

I keep enough fish to keep my family and friends bellies full, all right, I do keep a small pouch of wasabi with me at all times. STRIPER SHASHIMI!!, but I never kill more then will be consumed. Hey, with the cost of fishing: boat 3000/year, fuel 2800/ year,rack fee 1800/year, insurance 500/year, winterization 450/year, ice, bait, oil etc 3000/year.11,000 plus per year! I'll keep what I want and sleep well at night. Target the dredgers and netters that leave em dead as by catch!!! My 10 fish each year are well paid for.

[jkswimmer]

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT GUYS WITH BIG FISH PICTURES