Your Take on Catch and Release?

[Blitzseeker]

Tough question that no one on this site will ever agree on. My take:

1) I only eat fish I catch...I never order striped-bass in a restaurant as I don't know how it was caught...if I catch it I know it was on the up and up
2) I don't like the rules so I apply my own.....I release all large fish (over 25 lbs) that I catch and keep smaller keepers for the table on the rare occasions when I know I'm going to cook it that night...I don't put fish in the freezer because I've found too often it goes to waste

Those are the my own rules and I only apply them to myself. Anyone else can do whatever they want, in my opinion, as long is it is within the law (though I may not agree with it I keep my mouth shut).

If you break the law keeping shorts and I see you, I will call you in. Period.

[luds]

I doubt anything has changed as far as numbers of dead bass over the last few years. The only difference is that you see a few of them officially reported on the OTW page etc.

I think taking big fish in moderation is OK. I felt a little guilty when I took some big bass for OTW prizes and cash but then I saw a Charter Boat's report which was basically just pictures of hundreds of dead bass. I don't have any handle on how many bass and big bass there are out there but it's hard to see the large fish kills by commerical and charter boat anglers(not that the money is not tempting). At the same time this may be extremely minimal in comparison to the amount of fish taken by recreational fisherman each year. I would like to see the MA law reduced to on fish over 36" or maybe even 38" for recreational anglers.

[Bigcat]

99.9% C&R I might take one striper a season and one small tuna,everything else swims free.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

im not an eater either. plus i just dont have the heart to kill a fish. that blue i HAD to put out of it's misery crushed me for the night and i stopped fishing for almost a week. i get depressed when people keep em. but hey. they earned em. i havent landed a keeper yet. ofcourse my idea of a keeper is still 36" but i dont intend on keeping it when i do. UNLESS one of two things happens. 1. i was sent out for a cook out to catch a bass. or 2. the thing is absolutely massive. like 40-45#+. in which case (for me) could be the fish of a lifetime and i'll be damned if its not getting an official weigh in. and by then the options are mount it or eat it. so id probably try and get it mounted. just so i can have one. if i some how manage to catch something that big more than once.. the limit would go up. to say 50-55#+ before i would consider keeping another. and so on and so forth.

if i start hooking into the current legal size and larger often. i like blitz's idea on keeping the smaller end fish for cook out food. (ya know cause of that whole thing about the bigger females producing more eggs)

but other than a predetermined cook out meal or the whopper of a life time. they will all go back. i see no need in keeping every fish because you can. especially if you are one of the lucky ones who hooks into multiple of them each year.

[numbskull]

Many large bass (outside of commerical season) are killed because the fisherman's need to show off and feel good about himself, but those of us who catch and release everything, should recognize that we are killing fish too. About 1/10 fish we release die (those numbers go way up when the water is warm like now), and we feel good about ourselves for doing it. So how is it different?

[GonnaCatchABig1]

Originally Posted by numbskull

So how is it different?

ya tried to give him a fighting chance to back to his life. not too mention have 9 out of 10 survive is better than having 10 out of 10 dead.

edit on after the fact:
and let me clarify.. i'm not against people keeping em. i'm more against people keeping them excessively. for instance if a guy keeps 5 a week.. almost every week. what the hell do ya need with all that fish? i cant see anyone being able to stomach 100#+ of fish a week.

[shadow]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Many large bass (outside of commerical season) are killed because the fisherman's need to show off and feel good about himself, but those of us who catch and release everything, should recognize that we are killing fish too. About 1/10 fish we release die (those numbers go way up when the water is warm like now), and we feel good about ourselves for doing it. So how is it different?

very well said.

[Backbeach Jake]

I keep my keepers. I like fresh seafood properly cared for and correctly butchered. Most seafood stores make me want to barf when I open the door. I clam , too. I started fishing and clamming at a very young age and I guess it's a tradition for me and my family to do "freezer fillers". Nothing goes to waste and we usually run short at the end of the Winter.
Having said that, there is honor in C&R. But also risk for the fish as Numbskull has stated. As long as you realize that, then it's ok. Show your prey respect.....
I can't abide abuse of any game in any way, it reeks of blasting chickadees.

[tattoobob]

Agreed about catch and release, it is 8 in 100 fish will die due to being released. for some reason or another.

Oh and this wasn't to single out any one on the site it is just a general question about your thoughts

[5/0]

I release all fish after I've eatin it


J/K
I take what my Family & I will eat,I don't do it for the Golry or the sake of taking it home to say hey looky,I my Wife & Kids love it not to mention my mother In-Law love's it & she threats me Awesomeand my next door"older Neighbors" trade me fresh Vegies which is a no Brainer.

As the Fall window starts to close & Winter will be apon us I try to stock pile it (Vaccum seal) it to last the winter right threw Lent.


5/0

[shadow]

I love to eat fish and take my share.I almost never take two fish and when possable try to only keep the ones that are in bad shape,hooked deep or the ones that won't swim.I don't abuse the resoures,and do put plenty back.To me its is just wrong to put back a bass then go buy some cod.I love fish so I will eat my bass.