Whatever happened to “Catch and Release”?

[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.