releasing large bass - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

stormfish · 09-18-2006, 01:15 PM

Sounds very conservative and all but I'm putting that 60lb bass on my wall...

Clogston29 · 09-18-2006, 01:28 PM

So a 60 lb fish produces about 5 times as many eggs as a 12 lb fish according to your numbers. I would argue that keeping the large fish would have less impact on the fishery than keeping the 12 lb fish because the 12 lb fish has a much higher reproductive potential since it will live much longer and therefore reproduce much more often, producing more eggs each time based purely on those numbers. Now the genetic impact of removing large fish is another issue all together and one I don't know enough to comment on.

Mike P · 09-18-2006, 01:35 PM

Plus, there are 1000 (maybe add a zero or two to the end of that) 12 lb fish for every 60 pound fish.

What I've been advocating for years is a slot limit. Let guys keep one or two 22-27" fish for the table, and one 40"+ for their egos or a tournament. You probably do more harm to the fishery by culling out 28-36" fish than by culling one or two schoolies a man per day, and the occasional cow.

And don't feel I'm being judgmental by saying "keep one for their egos". My ego is as big as anyone else's

Slingah · 09-18-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

And don't feel I'm being judgmental by saying "keep one for their egos". My ego is as big as anyone else's

I like that Mike P...mine too

afterhours · 09-18-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike P

Plus, there are 1000 (maybe add a zero or two to the end of that) 12 lb fish for every 60 pound fish.

What I've been advocating for years is a slot limit. Let guys keep one or two 22-27" fish for the table, and one 40"+ for their egos or a tournament. You probably do more harm to the fishery by culling out 28-36" fish than by culling one or two schoolies a man per day, and the occasional cow.

And don't feel I'm being judgmental by saying "keep one for their egos". My ego is as big as anyone else's

damned straight.

ThrowingTimber · 09-18-2006, 05:53 PM

It would more than likely swim away. Im not a very good at being a hero.

Tagger · 09-18-2006, 07:09 PM

If I catch a 60 lb. Bass ? I want to be alone with it.....Naked ..

Canalman · 09-18-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

So a 60 lb fish produces about 5 times as many eggs as a 12 lb fish according to your numbers. I would argue that keeping the large fish would have less impact on the fishery than keeping the 12 lb fish because the 12 lb fish has a much higher reproductive potential since it will live much longer and therefore reproduce much more often, producing more eggs each time based purely on those numbers. Now the genetic impact of removing large fish is another issue all together and one I don't know enough to comment on.

Wow I never thought of it quite like that before... I like that Josh

zimmy · 09-18-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

So a 60 lb fish produces about 5 times as many eggs as a 12 lb fish according to your numbers. I would argue that keeping the large fish would have less impact on the fishery than keeping the 12 lb fish because the 12 lb fish has a much higher reproductive potential since it will live much longer and therefore reproduce much more often, producing more eggs each time based purely on those numbers. Now the genetic impact of removing large fish is another issue all together and one I don't know enough to comment on.

That is only if you ignore the reproductive impact of all of the extra offspring from the bigger fish. Add in the chance of a 12lb fish making it to 50+lbs. It doesn't even come close.

I think the question I am really asking is, if the science supports releasing big fish, would people support a change in laws (and I am not saying it definately does, especially when stress mortality on big fish is factored). Obviously there are lots of people who really feel the need to keep a big fish.

I know it would be the same way down south if the slot on drum went away. You would have hundreds of 30-50+lb fish in the coolers on good days in the spring at cape point.( Edit note: I don't mean that statement in any way other than they live with the regs now, but if they changed alot of people would keep em)