Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?

[GBOUTDOORS]

The law here in Mass. says you can keep 2 fish 28 + inches. If this is what you do please do not feel bad about it so long as they make it to yours or a friends table. If you feel so stronge about not keeping bass as food then why fish for them at all?????????????????? because the law says you can right? So please do not tell me you are trying to conserve the fish this to me would mean not to fish at all as some would like to see!!!!!! I do keep 15 to 20 fish per year for the table and like the smaller fish for food. But to you that say let the big ones go to breed I have asked this many times of the experts in the field and have been told every time that the larger the fish the more likly they will not be around in a few years but that a 28" fish will be for many years to come so you do more harm by keeping those 30# and under than the large fish as far as the breeding gos. This makes sence to me even thought I do release most large fish I get.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by GBOUTDOORS

But to you that say let the big ones go to breed I have asked this many times of the experts in the field and have been told every time that the larger the fish the more likly they will not be around in a few years but that a 28" fish will be for many years to come so you do more harm by keeping those 30# and under than the large fish as far as the breeding gos. This makes sence to me even thought I do release most large fish I get.

Who are these experts? I just have trouble believing that. A 30# fish could be around for another 5 to 10, maybe more years.

I believe in the idea (and plenty of unbiased scientists support it) that we are changing the gene pool in heavily harvested fish species by focusing on taking the larger fish. To me, a 30# plus fish is likely a genetically superior fish. She survived when her school mates haven't. Maybe she's smarter, faster, stronger, bigger, etc. What happens when you take that breeding fish out? Un-natural selection. Now maybe this fish is past it's breeding prime (less and lower quality eggs), but it's still dropping genetically superior eggs if it is in fact breeding.

[Labrador1]

Just thought I'd chime in on a couple side issues. I know that many people say that big fish should go back because they don't taste as good. Just felt the need to mention that I agree that they taste (texture) different, but wouldn't agree that they don't taste good. Keep in mind that some people can't stand bluefish while others think of them as prized table fair. I killed one big fish on the Cape two years ago that fed my dad, brother and I for the entire trip.

Second - I can't say that I agree that no one should keep two fish per day. If I decide to keep fish on a particular day, I will usually keep a limit - I figure if I'm going to the trouble of icing, cleaning, packaging etc. I might as well keep my limit. I'd much rather spend most of my days letting fish go. In other words I generally kill no fish, but if I do, its usually two.

Having said all that, I never kept a single fish this year. Most years I do keep a few, but just never wanted to kill any this year. Just thought I'd mention that since the above might make me sound like a fish hog. And it has become harder for me to kill a big fish. Just a personal thing - but I look at 'em and figure they've beat the odds - I don't like being the one ending that streak.